The Healings of Jesus III – The Multitude

If anyone ever doubted the will of God concerning healing, they would have to look no further than the four gospels to see that Jesus always said “yes” to healing! This is also true today, for He is “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Jesus never turns anyone away who comes to Him for healing!

Not only does He always say “yes” but He also gave us an instruction manual—the four gospels—on how to receive from God. That’s why I’ve begun a series on the healings of Jesus recorded in the gospels. From them we glean helpful nuggets about divine healing and how to receive it.

I also want to give credit to my pastor, Nancy Dufresne, who has given me a lot of inspiration for these teachings.

Today let’s look at the gospel of Mark, chapter 6.

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there. And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was. Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well. Mark 6:53-56 NKJV

You might be wondering how much we can learn from a short passage like this. Actually, much! No matter the length, scriptures always contain plenty of nuggets for us to glean from.

The first thing we should notice is the people’s response to Jesus. They RAN to bring the sick to Him. Their running reflected their expectancy! Expectant people run. They don’t hesitate, question, or delay. The people in Gennesaret ran to Jesus because they expected something to happen when they brought the sick to Him.

How does expectation apply to us today?

• Whenever you go to a church service, always go expecting to receive something from God.

• Whenever someone prays for you, expect to receive something from God.

• Whenever you study God’s Word, expect to receive revelation.

• Whenever you ask for something in prayer, expect to receive from God.

Those who expect something, receive something!

Those who expect nothing, receive nothing!

Now, as an important reminder: Healing is not a reward! It is a property that belongs to us in Christ! However, expectation is still necessary to receive our healing.

Another key element to receive healing is desire.

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Mark 11:24 KJV

Desire is defined as “to covet, crave, long for, hunger, and yearn.” Desire is not a passive attitude. When you really desire something, being half-hearted won’t get the job done. Why? Because we have an enemy who is arrayed against us and is continually trying to hinder us from receiving from God. Since the enemy is not half-hearted about his opposition to you, you can’t be passive toward him. If you are sick, you cannot afford to be passive in your approach to divine healing.

Some people have asked, “Why has God made it so difficult to receive healing?” The answer is this: God has not made it difficult. In fact, He has made it easy! It simply requires a whole-hearted desire that refuses to be swayed off the Word by the strategies of the devil.

Desire often means that we must ignore inconvenience. We see this in the multitude in Gennesaret. Despite the inconvenience in their circumstances, they ran. They ran carrying people on beds! And they ran for considerable distances! Their running was not convenient. Yet their desire and expectancy moved them to ignore the inconvenience and to take action! And what was the result of their diligence? “As many as touched Him were made well.” Desire and expectancy bring results!

It was quite a different story with those from Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth. Did they show expectancy and desire for results? Unfortunately, no. And since they didn’t expect or desire anything from Jesus, they didn’t receive as the people in Gennesaret did.

Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.  And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. Mark 6:5-6 NKJV

We see that the preacher is not solely responsible for a lack of power in a service. If people refuse to believe, they won’t receive, and they will hinder others from receiving. In Nazareth Jesus couldn’t do any mighty work, not that He wouldn’t. God can’t help people if they won’t let Him, even though He wants to!

The response of a crowd makes a difference. The great multitude at Gennesaret brought their expectancy and desire. That demonstrated their faith, and it is faith that brings the power of God into manifestation. The people of Jesus’ own hometown didn’t bring their faith, so His power couldn’t work mightily there.

When it comes to receiving healing, we must be expectant. I believe your expectancy has been rising as you’ve been reading this blog. God wants you to receive your healing today. So be expectant as you read the Word, and release your faith!

I highly encourage you to get a copy of my new daily devotional, Healing Nuggets: 31 Days of God's Word for Health, Wholeness, and Peace, to help you meditate day and night. I believe it will be a blessing to your life.

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