HEAL – God’s Heart for Healing in MarkSample

Running to Jesus

Picture Abraham Lincoln in your mind. He had a long face, usually with a beard, and a weary look from the wages of leading a country at war. You and I have never met Honest Abe, but we recognize his face from pictures, drawings and statues of him.  

Now put yourself in the days of Jesus. There were no magazines, photos nor social media apps to feature the likes of Jesus, yet in this account, people recognized Jesus. How would they know what He looked like unless He had done some crazy cool stuff and word was getting out quickly? 

That’s exactly what was going on in this story as Jesus arrived with His disciples and anchored their boats. People immediately recognized Him and ran to get their sick loved ones in the hopes that He might cure them. They went so far as to put them on mats and run to the marketplace to get them before Jesus. There was no cell phone to alert them when Jesus was coming. They waited with great expectation for Jesus.

Have you ever carried a grown adult around? That can’t be an easy task. It’s not like they could put the person in a car and rush over. They literally carried them from all over the region, not knowing if He’d still be there. They believed that if they only touched the edge of His cloak, He would still heal them.  

So when they heard stories in the marketplaces, around the town wells and in synagogues of this guy Jesus who had actually healed people, you can bet they got a detailed description of him so they would never miss an opportunity if He was in their midst. Wouldn’t you do the same?

Questions:

1. Is there anyone you’d drop everything to go see?
2. If Jesus came to town today, what would you do?
3. Recognizing Jesus meant they had heard of Him and His miracles. Are you seeking Jesus?