Jesus came to this world to redeem men’s souls. However, Jesus had a practical side. He knew that to reach men spiritually, he had to first touch their humanity.
The poor and the hurting responded, too. Wherever Jesus went, they gathered in droves.
In the final verses of Mark 6, Jesus and his disciples came into the land of Gennesaret and drew unto the shore. When they disembarked, Jesus was immediately recognized, and messengers began going from village to village announcing that Jesus was nearby.
Imagine the sight: sickly people; cripples; those carried in their beds in the hope that Jesus might heal them. What drew them, Jesus’ mission to heal their hearts? Or was it Jesus’ willingness to heal their bodies? Jesus knew that to reach their hearts, he first had to minister to their physical needs.
In Verses 55-56 we read that the people hoped to simply touch the border of his garment, and as many as touched him were made whole.
Jesus understood that when people’s needs were met, their hearts would be touched. In Mark 10:52, we read of Jesus’ response to Blind Bartimaeus:
“Your faith has healed you.”
The next few words in Verse 52 are vital, though, for they tell of the fulfillment of Jesus’ wonderfully intuitive process. We read that Bartimaeus received his sight and followed Jesus in the Way. Bartimaeus received his healing, and that changed his heart.
In Mark 8:36 Jesus spoke of his upcoming death and resurrection, and he made it clear that a man’s soul is worth more than all the possessions of this life. We have all heard his words:
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
It was belief and faith that Jesus was after. It was a change of the heart, a willingness to put others first. These were the things Jesus hoped to foster in those whom he helped.
Those who did not need healing were more difficult to reach. Picture the Pharisee in Mark 12:33-34. He recognized the truth of Jesus’ teachings. He acknowledged that loving God with all one’s heart and loving one’s neighbor as oneself were better than burnt offerings and sacrifices.
Jesus responded:
“You are not far from the kingdom of God.”
So very close, and still the Pharisee had not internalized the message of the Messiah. In spite of his knowledge, the Pharisee did not understand that it was not head knowledge but heart knowledge that opened the door to the kingdom of God. Only those who had been broken and touched by the Savior could easily find their way to him.
The same thing is true today.
Jesus first touched those broken and hurting in the physical world, because that opened the way for them to come to him. Then he was able to minister to their spiritual needs, completing his mission upon this earth.
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