Mark 6:53-56

Mark 6:53-56 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went — into villages, towns or countryside — they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.

Matthew 9:1-6 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!” Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. . . .” Then he said to the paralytic, “Get up, take your mat and go home.”

Why did Jesus come? Was his coming to heal everyone or make people right with God? Was his coming to give people eternal life here or in heaven? Why did he heal? Why was everyone was healed then and not now? (all who touched him were healed) Why don't our great healers go and empty out the hospitals by healing all the sick who are there? Why did Jesus heal only one invalid at the pool of Bethesda? He asked only one sick person, “Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6) Of course, all at the pool would have said, "Yes." Mary, Martha and Lazarus (who was raised from the dead) all died. All these questions need to be considered honestly and biblically by Christians. Also, believers need to ask whether Jesus heals today. And if He does, who? Is faith the answer to healing today? Are those who are without faith the ones who don't get healed? No, we know that is not true, for some of the people with the most faith die sick in their bodies. Missionaries who have great faith in God's protection and help find themselves as martyrs, not rescuers. Paul himself died on a missionary journey that was empowered by faith. We see great men and women of God in the early church and today persevere through trials with faith that is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.

Jesus landed to bring healing and redemption to Gennesaret and the surrounding land. He came to earth to bring healing and eternal life to us. He came to bring "good news" to a sick and dying world. When Jesus came to Earth, the light of God came to Earth. The light of God healed the people and healed the land. He brought salvation to the people, a right relationship with God. What about physical healing? Jesus healed to reveal that He was the SON OF GOD. He healed to show that God had compassion on the people, that He wanted them well, not sick. But Jesus did not come so that all would be well physically, for his primary message was that we have a home and it is with God. This world is but a puff of smoke--life is but a puff of smoke. It is here and then it is gone almost instantaneously. Every generation passes away. Does Jesus heal? Yes, He heals. He healed all of us who believe. We are eternal beings NOW, whether we die today or tomorrow. He has healed us from sin and death. Does He heal the physical body? YES, OFTEN. More times than we realize. But, will He make sure that our bodies don't die of a disease, infirmity, or (euphemistically speaking) "old age." No, the flesh has been contaminated by sin, and sin has consequences. Should we pray for physical healing? Always! God does heal! But I don't think we will ever know why He heals some and not others. We put our trust and faith in him and his sovereign will and purposes.

However, we do know that God has given light to every man (John 1), and the product of that light is that man has the ability to create. Jesus Christ, THE CREATOR, embellishes that light. I believe marvelous medical procedures and inventions are also a product of that light. God still wants people well and not sick. He heals in many ways, but this WORLD IS NOT OUR HOME. If someone would lay before us all that this world has to offer, we would still choose Jesus. For we know He alone is our life. Yes, He landed at Gennesaret. He healed all, He ministered to all, but that is not enough for lasting happiness. To be eternally happy, we must believe and have faith that Jesus Christ is our life, our everything. He alone has life, and in HIM we have eternal life. All else is temporary, fleeting. All else will not satisfy, even healing.