“As they left the
boat, people recognized Jesus at once. So they ran throughout the whole region;
and wherever they heard he was, they brought to him the sick lying on their
mats. And everywhere Jesus went, to villages, towns, or farms, people would
take their sick to the marketplaces and beg him to let the sick at least touch
the edge of his cloak. And all who touched it were made well” (Mark 6:54-56, GNB).
Jesus and his disciples “crossed the lake and came to the land at Gennesaret, where they tied up the boat” (Mark 6:53). There must be
many people recognized Jesus as the Christ or the Messiah. But their understanding
of the Messiah is not complete and different from what they first expected. At least,
in my opinion, they believed that the Messiah come to heal their deceases. So when
they heard that Jesus is coming, they determine to grasp the present
opportunity. They all seems to come for
what they can get – healing, not necessary the Healer. They have little
understanding of who Jesus really is and what his message is all about.
I work in student ministry.
I just want to say that there are many individuals who are so obsessed with
healing and deliverance ministry that it sometime become the centre of their
message. I understand that many individuals who are involved with these kind of
ministries are very sincere and well-meaning people (Some however are obviously
false teachers). It’s not my intention to pass judgment on the kindness and
sincerity of others who are trying to help people through these ministries, I just
deeply concern with the unbiblical practices that take place in student
fellowships and even churches.
For example, before the
service there will be a special initial prayer going on as to ‘bind’ evil spirits
and praying around the campsite area (doa sekeliling) as to ‘seal’ it from
invincible dark spirits. Before the service end, minister calls for altar calls
with the heavy sound of music and exorcist demons by laying of hand with olive
oil, etc. All of these examples are more to black magic rather than Christianity
to me. Can you imagine Jesus did all of
these? People are so obsess with what they can get from God. Like the people of Gennesaret who seem to only
care about getting something from Jesus, we should be careful that we might not
desire healing more than the Healer or the delivering more than the Deliverer
Himself, Jesus Christ.
Sadly as I read this part
of Mark’s gospel, even though Jesus spontaneously and unselfishly healed all of
them from their sicknesses, there is no reference that Jesus ever preach or teach
them. Because Jesus is compassionate, it is possible for people to be healed of
their sicknesses without even having personal faith in him. Also, because Jesus
is not forceful, it is possible for Jesus to be in our midst and not speak to
us. When we’re busy seeking healing rather than the Healer, we might acknowledge
His power but not His Person. When we’re busy performing deliverance and not
proclaiming the Deliverer, we miss the point of Christian fellowship. When God’s
Word is not open and read to the people, Jesus will simply become a celebrity
to us rather than the Lord that we should worship with all our hearts, souls
and minds.
Don’t be like the Gennasarites.
What’s the point of having a healthy body but losing
Jesus?
Jesus, only Jesus you must seek.
THINK BIG.
START SMALL. GO DEEP.
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