Not Healed by the Garment

Introduction

Two Challenges

Providence of God

Source of the Healing

Text Engagement

Mark 6:53-56

V. 53-55

Disciples “lay anchor” at Gennesaret — on the Northwestern corner of the sea of Galilee

NOT where the disciples thought that they were going (see Mark 6:45)

The disciples were sent to go towards Bethsaida

We want to highlight this fact because we get a vision of the absolute providence of God.

God directs the wind and the waves (cite) - He has worked to bring Jesus and the disciples to this place.

What details of the story lend towards a vision of God’s providence?

Verses 55 and 56 indicate that those who were being brought to Jesus were those who were so sick they could not walk.

Imagine a situation where you are on death row — a sickness has overtaken your body and you hear of a savior...but he is on the other side of the sea.

I could imagine in myself praying to God and asking for His provision. Then, suddenly, your brother comes into your room and says: “You won’t believe it! The savior is here! We are going to carry you!”

The disciples probably did not understand the purpose of the wind and waves either.

Two groups of people:

The multitude who finds Jesus in the wilderness

The multitude who could not walk out to find him

Jesus had compassion on both.

Practically we see this all the times in our lives if we have our eyes open to see it. God is constantly at work and we can’t even fathom the infinite number of prayer requests and needs that he is answering “yes” to in every single second.

Pause here - Is there a prayer request that you have had on your heart for a long time but haven’t formed the words yet or haven’t said anything because you feel afraid?

Remember that our God works providentially on behalf of us who are His children. God is big enough for your mess, your problems, your challenges — He is even glad to work on your behalf when you call on Him in faith. (Cite)

Theologically this sort of situation which is being described is actually a case study in our salvation. We were far off, separated from God, then Jesus showed up, healed us, and restored us. I speak of how Paul says: “We were dead in our trespasses and sins...but God made us alive together with Christ” (Eph 2:1, Eph. 2:5)

Summary

V. 53 sets the scene for us: God is acting providentially on behalf of the sick and needy

Further Engagement

It is proper sometimes to remember that we do not always understand what God is doing.

On one level, we have been focusing on the fact that the disciples are being trained and prepared to be sent and missional

Jesus has been trying to communicate aspects of Himself to His disciples so that they would increase in their knowledge, confidence, faith, and character.

We as disciples must be instructed in the providence of God. God is working all things together and we are to be observant.

So many times we struggle with being present and missing what is happening in the moment.

I wonder how many of the disciples got to Gennesaret and thought to themselves “Well, that was a waste of a night.” They might not have said or thought that pertaining to the fact that they saw Jesus walking on water, but they were not where they expected to be.

V. 56

“Fringe of his garment” - Num. 15:37-40

This “fringe of his garment” thing actually serves as an interesting hinge between two sections.

(1) Jesus has been making the point that His disciples can do infinitely more than what they think because of who He is. That is, Jesus has been displaying his sovereign, Godly, kingly, messianic identity to His disciples and they are not getting it: it isn’t the robe of Jesus that is healing people. It is Jesus who is healing people. If you possess the favor of Jesus, then you have real power on your side.

(2) This next section is going to demonstrate a shift when Jesus faces further challenges on his ability to fulfill or satisfy the law. Though a minor note in this passage, we do get a glimpse into the ordered life of Jesus; he fulfilled the law to a T — even in how He dressed. So, when the scribes and Pharisees come to Jesus, we can read that section with a level of preparedness. Jesus is very mindful of the Mosaic law.

Application

Providence - Definition

Pro-Videre - Latin - “See to it ahead of time”

Note that the root here is “provide”

Confidence

Take heart and know that when you entrust Jesus with your life, your life will not be wasted and even the mistakes you’ve made can be redeemed.

I make too many mistakes to NOT lean wholeheartedly into the providence of God. I NEED GOD to be seeing to details that I can’t see.

Ps. 139:11-12 - God sees in the dark

Isa. 40:28 - God isn’t tired and His understanding is unsearchable

Isa. 55:8-9 - God’s thoughts are not our thoughts and his ways are not our ways — God says: “as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts

The reason we take heart in this type of thing is because there are an immeasurable amount of times in our lives where we find ourselves asking:

“How did I end up here” and “How can this situation turn toward the good?” When you lean on the Lord, you can trust that He actually does see ways out. It might not be what you think or would have chosen, but because God is meticulous in His providence of all things, you can have confidence in Him.

Church Mission

We as the church have been given a mission to reach this world with the hope of Jesus

Missions is impossible without the work of God.

Are you going to break through to concrete hearts who hate God and don’t understand His holiness?

When we receive Jesus’s commission to make disciples of all nations, we can understand that the doability of that work does not rest in our own strength. The result is sure because God is sure.