"THE GOSPEL OF MARK"
The Healings In Gennesaret (6:53-56)
INTRODUCTION
- Following Jesus' walk on water, other miracles soon followed...
- Shortly after anchoring the boat on the shores of Gennesaret - Mk
6:53
- When Jesus healed everyone who was brought to Him - Mk 6:54-56
- "The Healings In Gennesaret" provide an opportunity to make
observations about...
- The success of Jesus' healing ministry
- The purpose of Jesus' healing ministry
[Similar observations can be made about the healing ministries of Peter
and Paul, which can serve to critique so-called healing ministries today
(are they really of God?). So let's begin by noting...]
- THE SETTING OF THE HEALINGS
- IN GENNESARET...
- Where Jesus and His disciples anchored their boat - Mk 6:53
- A densely populated and fertile plain south of Capernaum
- Hendriksen
- About 3 miles along the Sea of Galilee (also called the Lake of
Gennesaret, Lk 5:1) - ibid.
- Its natural beauty and fertility were most remarkable... the
plain produced walnuts, palms, figs, olives, and grapes
- Josephus
- OTHER OCCASIONS...
- The healings of Peter - Ac 5:14-16
- In Jerusalem
- During the early days of the church
- The healings of Paul - Ac 19:11-12
- In Ephesus
- During his extended stay, while on his third journey
[In both rustic and urban settings, wonderful things happened when true
men of God were healing the sick. But now let's consider carefully...]
- THE SUCCESS OF THE HEALINGS
- IN GENNESARET...
- When people heard He was there, they gathered the sick - Mk
6:54-56
- Wherever He went, they brought the sick to Him
- On beds
- Laying them in the market places
- Note well: "as many as touched Him were made well"
- OTHER OCCASIONS...
- Peter in Jerusalem - Ac 5:14-16
- The sick were laid out in the street on beds and couches
- People from surrounding cities were brought the sick and
possessed
- Note well: "they were all healed"
- Paul at Ephesus - Ac 19:11-12
- God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul
- Even handkerchiefs brought from his body to the sick healed
them
- Note well: implied is that all who received such
ministrations were healed
[The crowds that gathered around Jesus, Peter, and Paul were
understandable. The success of these three men was remarkable. Now for
an observation or two about...]
- THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HEALINGS
- IN GENNESARET...
- The purpose of the healings was to confirm Jesus' claims - cf.
Jn 5:36; 10:25,37-38
- People who saw such signs made the connection - e.g., Jn 3:2;
9:30-33
- Jesus did refrain on one occasion from doing miracles for lack
of faith - cf. Mt 13:58
- But note well: He never failed any miracle that He Himself
attempted!
- OTHER OCCASIONS...
- The purpose of apostolic miracles was to confirm their message
- Mk 16:17-20
- God bore witness to His Word by the gifts of the Holy Spirit
- He 2:3-4
- The apostles did not always heal those they knew were sick
- cf. 2Ti 4:20
- But note well: the apostles never failed any miracle they
attempted!
CONCLUSION
- Today, there are self-proclaimed faith healers who say God is working
through them...
- Often large crowds attend their meetings, hoping to be healed
- But many people leave such meetings, disappointed that they were
not healed
- Despite having such healers lay their hands on them, and pray for
them
- When true servants of God healed, everyone was healed...!
- Whether it was Jesus, Peter or Paul
- The purpose of miracles to confirm they were servants of God
- And God left no room for doubt!
- The fact is, such healing ministries were for a specific purpose...
- They were to confirm the message and messengers as being from God
- Once the Word of God was completely revealed and confirmed, there
is no longer a need for such miracles of confirmation - cf. 1Co
13:8-10
- Which explains why such miracles are not being done today
- Contrary to claims made by false teachers who mislead many
When we carefully study the miracles of Jesus and those of His apostles,
comparing them with the so-called miracle healers of today, we can
easily see the difference...