What are you sharing about Jesus

Matthew 14:34-36

My pastor Ray Still is a very popular man in the New Braunfels area, and if you go with him for lunch you will have people stop at your table just to get a few moments with him. People recognize my pastor because he is known for being wise, loving people, and caring very much for the under resourced people in the New Braunfels area and in other parts of the world, and the desire of his heart is to tell them about Jesus.  If he goes to the store or the movies he will have people wanting to spend time with him, he is a very popular man, but once outside of that part of Texas, he’s not noticed, people do not stop and talk with him, they do not know his faith and values, as those of us who know him. 

But that was not true with Jesus, he no more than gets out of the boat and the men of that place recognized him.  Why did they recognize him, was he a tall handsome man, not if we believe what the prophet Isaiah said about him; “he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.” (Isaiah 53:2b)  But they were attracted to him in fact Matthew gives this account of what the men of Gennesaret did once they saw Jesus.  “And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.”

Where in the world would these guys of Gennesaret come up with such a plan as just touching Jesus garment and they would be healed.  Now we know they did not have the New York Times, or Fox News in the day of Jesus but they did have people who travelled and as they went about their business life traveling from town to town people would inquire about what was taking place where they had come from, and I believe that’s why these men wanted the sick in that region to come and just to touch the fringe of his garment.

Do you recall the woman who had suffered for twelve years with a discharge of blood and had been to many doctors but none could help her.  Do you recall Matthew’s account in Matthew 9:20-22, where she just touched the fringe of his garment, for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” Jesus turned and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter, your faith has made you well.”  I believe that was the story these men of Gennesaret had heard, so when they recognized Jesus they put this plan into action.

Now the question must be asked, what have you heard about Jesus, and are you putting together a plan to share that good news with those you love so they can come to Jesus and be made whole?

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice