Matthew 14:34-36….Ready

Matthew 14:34-36….Ready

14:34 When they had crossed over, (From the spiritual to the worldly, According to the Gospel of Following Jesus always leads safely on firm ground.-(New)) they landed at Gennesaret. (Bathsaida was their original destination-(Mark 6:45) But the storm blown them off course, landing them near Gennesaret) 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge  of his cloak, (Jesus probably wore the traditional Jewish robe with blue & white tassels hanging down from the corners.-(Numb. 15:37-39) Suggests they thought themselves unworthy that He should even be bothered with their cases as well as believing Jesus’ healing power was so great that just touching His clothing could cure them)  all who touched him were healed. (For Complete Expository See Book)

Extended Sermons 

“Teaches those who recognize Jesus for who He truly is will have a burning desire to tell everyone about Him.” → The greater you know Jesus, the greater your desire to tell people about Him will be. If your knowledge of Jesus is small, your participation in Kingdom work will be small! Our faith and knowledge of Christ is proportional to our actions. Once someone has encounter the living God through the person of Jesus Christ they’re going to want to share Christ and tell everyone else. Not because their Pastor told them too, not because they read a good book on it, not because they got caught up in an emotional song, not because they attended some revival meeting, not because they went to some conference. Not because someone guilt tripped them into doing it.

“Teaches how Jesus honors the smallest bit of faith, no matter how weak, imperfect, or superstitious it may be.” → Highlights how faith, regardless of its maturity or theological depth, is met with divine response. Even the smallest spark of faith can invite extraordinary transformation. Grace meets you where you are. Remember, you do not need to have it all figured out, nor must your faith be perfect or unshakeable. What matters is the willingness to reach, to hope, to believe that change is possible. In that reaching, you find that the impossible becomes possible.

“Even today, Saving faith becomes a catalyst for Kingdom expansion. We’re not just passive spectators, resting on our Saving knowledge, But are active participants in God’s Kingdom work in advancing the Gospel in the world.” → How many of us are just content on just staying on the sidelines. Watching other people do the work. There are a lot of apathetic Christians who are content in being consumers of the Kingdom rather than be participants of the Kingdom. If you think that Christianity is just all about going to a church building on Sunday morning you’ve missed it. The whole point of going to church is to to get refreshed, strengthened, and encouraged as we live out the Kingdom work the rest of the week. Are you sharing the Gospel with unbelievers? Are you inviting unbelievers into your small groups and bible studies? Are you inviting unbelievers into conversations about sin, judgment, and God’ forgiveness?

Additional Notes & Applications 

Teaches the importance of bringing others to Christ so they can be Saved and healed by Him as well.

Teaches how all can go to Jesus for healing and compassion without qualifications or conditions.

Emphasizes how faith is not passive but active, requiring people to act on their belief.

Teaches how true Saving faith leads to obedience and action in our lives.

Teaches how it’s not Jesus’ unwillingness to heal, but our willingness to come to Him for that healing.

Calls for the type of faith that will come and grab hold of Jesus as our own.

Teaches those who have seen others healed by Jesus will trust that He will do it again for them as well.

Teaches how we can come to Jesus without jumping through a lot of religious hoops, rules and commands that need to be obeyed first. [Notice this unclean crowd who were tightly pact together in trying to touch Jesus were not concerned about Jewish ritual Purity Laws.]

Teaches how it’s not Jesus’ unwillingness to heal, but our willingness to come to Him for that healing.

Displays how when Jesus shows up people get healed and Saved.-(V. 36)

Teaches those who seek Christ are never found wanting. Jesus heals wholly and perfectly – presently or eternally.-(V, 36)

It’s not a sin to display the love and compassion of God to people, even if their motives are wrong  or they’re not there for the right reasons. Some people are more like fans, they like the free lunch, they like the free handouts, they like the free health care. But are not really interested in following Jesus.

Notice how unlike the religious leaders the uncleanness of the crowd doesn’t stop Jesus from allowing them to touch Him.

Some suggests the act of reaching out to touch the fringe of Jesus’ cloak highlights a theological continuity from the Old Testament, where the corners of a garment symbolized one’s identity and authority (as seen in the story of Saul and David). By touching Jesus’ garment, the people were acknowledging His authority and seeking a personal connection with the divine. This gesture of faith is mirrored in the actions of other biblical figures, such as Abraham’s belief in God’s promises and Rahab’s protection of the spies in Jericho, both of which demonstrate trust in God’s power and presence.

Most skip over these few verses as just another descriptive summery of Jesus healing miracles. That this is just the same, Jesus goes places and heals people. So what’s the big deal, lets move on to the next chapter already. But that would be a big mistake! When what we really need to do is take a closer look at these three verses.

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