Do We Hear or Do we Know?

Introduction:

Pledge

34 And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.

35 And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick

36 and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

Title: Do We Hear or Do We Know?

There is a big difference between “Hearing about something” and “Knowing Something.” (Hearing about a person and knowing about that person.”

What we read in this pericope is a region of people who recognized Jesus and came (brought or walked on their own) to Him to be healed.

I have tried to imagine what these people of Gennesaret felt like.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

A thirteen-year-old girl said to her mother, “I feel so nervous.“ Her mother replied, “What do you mean, ’nervous’?” “Well,” said the child, “I feel in a hurry all over. It’s like I’m not sure quite where I’m going, but I can’t wait to get started.”

I wonder if this is what the people of Gennesaret felt like?

Segway:

Gennesaret is located on the northwest side of the Sea of Galilee.

Its about 3 miles long and 1 mile inland.

Just South of Capernaum.

This area was known to be very rich and fruitful, according to Josephus, and supposedly is the scene of the parable of the sower ().

According to Josephus this area produced walnuts, palms, figs, olives, and grapes.

Baker New Testament Commentary: Matthew 14:34–36 Healings in Gennesaret

According to Josephus the plain produced walnuts, palms, figs, olives, and grapes.

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Briefly looking at this pericope (3 verses) we see a reaction of the people of this region.

This group of people has heard about Jesus

The word “recognize” (vs 35)

Greek compound word - “epiginosko” from epí (1909), upon, and ginṓskō (1097), to know.

To have knowledge of someone,

There is a difference of ***knowing of someone*** and Knowing someone.

They knew of Jesus because of what they heard about him.

Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.

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They sent out the word that “Jesus is in town!”

Remember, Jesus is the happening thing of that time.

(Chpt. 13) re-positioning Christ

Authoritative figure

Authoritative word

Happening thing of that day and time

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They brought all who were sick to Him.

The phrase “who were sick” (35) is specifically talking about people who were deathly sick.

There is a difference between being deathly sick and just a minor cold or flu! Right?

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Scripture tells us they “implored” (36) him to heal the sick.

Greek word - “Parakaleo” To call to the side of

Someone who has been injured in battle and they call for the “Medic”.

Worse yet, When the family has been called to the bed side of a family member who is passing away.

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They believed that if a person would just touch the garment of Christ they would be healed.

This may come from the story of the woman who bleed for 12 years and touched the garment of Christ and was healed. (Matt. 9:20-21)

This miracle took place in the same region.

Some of them may have witnessed it themselves

There is a good possibility the woman lived in this region and they had heard from her that she was healed.

This was faith

Faith in an action (Touching of a garment)

Not necessarily faith in Christ.

Body:

What we have with this group of people is a group who has HEARD of Christ (recognized) .....

He is the “healer” they had heard about.

But yet, to this point, have not Acknowledged who Christ truly is!

PAUSE

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Let me show you what I mean!

let’s go back and look at the Disciples

They have moved into the understanding of WHO Christ is where as the majority of the people have not!

Look back at Verse 33 ( And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”)

The word “Worshiped” - in the Greek it means: when one falls upon his knees and touched his forehead to the ground or prostrates himself, throwing kisses at the same time toward the one superior.

This is the first time Matthew records this statement coming from the Disciples ..... Truly you are the Son of God.

We first hear this statement in ......

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

& 6 (3) And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”

(6) and said to him, “If you are the Son of God,” (Satan is Speaking)

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.(Satans Speaking)

Next we read in .....

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

(And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?”) (Demon’s Speaking)

The next time we hear about Jesus being the Son of God ...

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Climax:

I believe Matthew is pointing out to the reader and to us a detail that is important for the believer.

There is a difference between hearing of Jesus and Knowing Jesus

Hearing of Jesus :

Causes us to see Christ as someone who can do things for us.

Healing, blessing, etc.

Christ longs to do this but what he first wants is ......

Knowing Christ:

Causes us to see Christ as “truly who he is.”

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There is nothing wrong with Jesus healing and blessing!

But for too many people this is where the relationship stops!

They go no further than seeing Jesus as someone who can “do for them.”

But once Jesus stepped into that boat after rescuing Peter, the Disciples no longer KNEW OF JESUS but came to know who Jesus truly was, “The Son of God.”

It was no longer ....

What can you do for me! ..... or..... What blessings can you give me!

What blessings can you give me!

It’s now, deep within them, “He is the Son of God.”

You might be saying, “So I can no longer ask Christ to Heal or Bless?”

I am not saying that at all.

What I am saying is, “When we worship Christ by acknowledging who He truly is he longs to do this for us without us even having to ask.”

Look at verse 33 again, “The winds stopped!”

Conclusion:

For me, this moment happened when I was sanctified.

I totally surrendered it all to Christ.

I wasn’t looking for what Christ could do for me anymore.

I wasn’t looking for how He could serve me

I was now looking at how I could serve Him.

This is why I do and why I don’t do certain things.

I read a quote from Oswald chambers this morning, “You must be more moral than the most moral being you know.”

This is not about putting myself ABOVE someone else but about striving to allow Christ to be Lord of my life more and more each and every day.

Truly being the Son of God in my life.

Chambers, O. (1986). My utmost for his highest: Selections for the year. Grand Rapids, MI: Oswald Chambers Publications; Marshall Pickering.

Because I have come to the understanding He is the SON OF GOD.

I acknowledge Him as such and in turn serve him with all my heart, mind, and soul.