Matthew 14:34-36
The Message
On return, they beached the boat at Gennesaret. When the people got wind that he was back, they sent out word through the neighborhood and rounded up all the sick, who asked for permission to touch the edge of his coat. And whoever touched him was healed.
Imagine being there. At a time before medicine and science, as we know it, existed. Today we have very little need of miraculous physical healing, due to the fact that we can go to the local hospital or doctor's office and be prescribed medicine, or have a surgery to fix whatever ailment we might have. Certainly, there are diseases where there are still no known cures - and one does need a miraculous touch from God. But generally speaking, modern medicine has a cure for most things. I feel compelled to mention that in a lot of cases, our modern diseases and ailments are self-imposed due to lifestyles, etc. (please do not take this as judgment, but rather as basic fact - and food for thought.) And while I do believe that God can "heal" all of these things, I again present the idea that we don't really need Him to.
After having the privilege of going to Israel and being on the Sea of Galilee, visiting these towns that Jesus was in - as I read this passage, I could imagine being there. In a time before our modern age, I understood why the crowds would come when they heard that Jesus could heal their sickness and disease. The sick and diseased must have had very few options. There was no pill to take, no disability payments to sustain them - they were put by the wayside to just exist. He was their only hope, their only option. They believed even to the extent that if they could just touch the "edge of his coat" they would be healed.
With all of the above swirling around in my head, the word "touch" jumped out at me. The original Greek word means "to attach oneself to". Now, "touch" is not just jumping out of the Word, it's shouting at me - in the still, small voice of God.
Today, while we may be able to enjoy the modern convenience of science and medicine, we seem to face more and more of the mental, emotional, and spiritual wounds of life. Yes, there are pills to be taken that can help, and professionals that can help guide us, but they cannot erase the wound, the past abuses and the consequences of them. We still need the Healer. Just like those people in Gennesaret heard that He was back, He's here. He's where you are. He has healing for you. And just like those, you can reach out and touch Him. But it is not a one and done thing. Attach yourself to Him. Hold onto Him. Let Him peel back the layers of hurt and disappointment. He's a gentle, loving physician, and you can trust Him with the healing process.
