‘Faith Reaches!’
- Mar 28, 2025
- 5 min read
Matthew 14:34-36: “When the men of that place recognised Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.”
We’re looking at the last section of the story found in Matthew 14. We said last week looking verses 34-36, that the people in the town of Gennesaret did three things:
1) They recognised who Jesus was.
2) They sent word out to the surrounding area.
3) They brought the sick to Him.
We covered the first two items last week so today it’s the third item.
‘Brought all their sick to Him.’
The men of the city had good news to share, so they shared it! As soon as the people heard the news they had only one response: they believed that Jesus had the power to heal their sick. They begged Him to let the sick simply touch the edge of His cloak. The word ‘begged’ in verse 36 means to ‘call someone near.’ They asked Jesus to come so close to their loved ones that all they needed to do was reach out and touch the hem of His cloak and they’d be healed.
Hem touching seems a strange thing to do until we learn that in the Ancient Near East, the corner of a person’s garment represented their identity; it was a symbol of what they stood for. The edge of Jesus' cloak would have meant the fringe or tassel. In the Mosaic Law, God instructed His people to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations. Why? To remind Israel of all the commandments and the grace of God.
“Speak to the children of Israel: Tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a blue thread in the tassels of the corners. And you shall have the tassel, that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the LORD and do them, and that you may not follow the harlotry to which your own heart and your own eyes are inclined, and that you may remember and do all My commandments, and be holy for your God” (Num 15:38-39).
So important were the corners of a Jewish man’s garment in ancient Israel that the Old Testament closes with a prophecy of the Messiah that references the corners of His garment: “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings” (Mal 4:2 KJV). The word used for “wings” could also refer to “corners of a garment.”
The Pharisees wore elaborate tassels on the corners of their garments so that people would regard them as closely identified with God (Matt 23:5). When people reached for the hem or corners of Jesus’ garment, it was so much more than an edge, it was them identifying with Jesus and His authority over all things by the power of God. In an act of faith you are stating that you believe in Him.
At the heart of Jesus’ identity would be healing, spiritual and physical, for all who trusted Him.
How are you and I identifying with Jesus today?
This story started with healing (see v14: "When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.") And now the story closes with healing.
In this two-day story there would have been those that brushed by Jesus in the rush of the crowd and the religious activity, socially close to His presence but far from and unaware of His power! Crowds press in, but faith reaches out and touches and changes lives.
The people in Gennesaret were really aware of what a real touch of faith can do! They didn’t just want to be part of a story or of a crowd where Jesus had visited but unchanged, but to know Him and experience how He changes lives!
Jesus said, “I have come that they might have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10). That’s what He wants for each of us.
BTW! Jesus’ power is greater than any issue! Doesn't Ephesians 3:16 say “out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being”.
God is looking for women and men that recognise who they are in Him; not as nobodies but somebodies, not as paupers but princes, heirs of Christ.
Our text states, "...all who touched it (edge of His cloak) were healed." What a fulfilment of the promise of Luke 4:18: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”
Just so that you know, I believe in a miracle-working God. Do you?
God is the God of the miraculous. He graciously and lovingly moves towards us, for us to know Him and experience His power.
What a wonderful end to this two-day story. It started in hope and with power, and ended the very same way: “And all who touched Him were healed.” Everyone that was hurting and hungry at the start of the story were healed and fed, and everyone that was sick at the close of the narrative were healed. What wonderful hope for those who feel they have no hope!
Eugene Peterson says, “Wishing grows out of our egos; hope grows out of our faith. Hope is oriented toward what God is doing; wishing is oriented toward what we are doing… Wishing is our will projected into the future, and hope is God’s will coming out of the future. Picture it in your mind: wishing is a line that comes out of me, with an arrow pointing into the future. Hoping is a line that comes out of God from the future, with an arrow pointing toward me.”
How often have we been close to His presence but far from His power?
J.I. Packer says, “The true God is great and terrible, just because He is always with me and His eye is always upon me. Living becomes an awesome business when you realise that you spend every moment of your life in the sight and company of an omniscient, omnipotent Creator.”
In your act of worship today, reach out in faith to Him and His authority, understanding that there is no one higher than Him. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and all things are held together by Him.
Dr Stanley Jones said, "I am inwardly fashioned for faith, not for fear. Fear is not my native land; faith is… I live better by faith and confidence than by fear, doubt and anxiety."
Do you really and truly recognise Jesus; do you know Him? Faith reaches forward, from the present of where we are, into the future of where He is, and therefore the reality of His love, grace and power. What area of your life do you need to reach out to Him for today?
I believe that whenever people encounter Jesus, He leaves them with a story to tell. Why not reach out to Him today!
What has this journey over the past weeks accomplished in and through you? What impact did it have on your faith life? What story of faith, peace, grace, hope and love are you going to tell for His glory?
Dear Harry
Thank you so much. Your wisdom and care helped us in our darkest hour and continues today twenty two years later. My prayers are with you and your family. We thank God for you. Xx