Day 129 "Sometimes what we see is all we need to know, however, it doesn't hurt to ask."

Day 129 Matthew 14:34-36 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well. You may recall the story of the woman with the issue of blood who was healed upon touching the hem of Jesus’ garment. It is rather interesting to note that she, too, was from this same region. Could it possibly be that because of this woman and her act of extreme faith that these people have come as well, recognizing Jesus as a healer? It seems to me noteworthy to mention, as well, that they sought only to touch the hem of His garment. Was this an act of equal faith or rather people responding to what they had seen before? Personally, I would assume that these people were simply responding to what they had seen and heard. After all, they didn't ask Jesus what to do or how to approach Him, they simply asked or begged if they could touch the hem of His garment, and He allowed it and blessed it by healing the sick. Maybe the point here is not in the how but rather in the if, meaning that if people will approach Jesus by faith, they will be healed, rather than if people approach Jesus in a particular way, they will be healed. Which, by the way, if this is true (and I believe it is), it completely invalidates the concept used by various Churches and cults that a person of a particular anointing is the only one who can lead you to Jesus, which is, again I say, very unscriptural! On one occasion while preaching in Junction City, Kansas, I felt led by the Holy Spirit to somewhat apologize to the crowd for the Churches by and large judging people based upon their appearances, financial status, or social standing. After the service a middle-aged mother approached me and thanked me, for she had been ostracized by the Church for wearing jeans. She was actually told that if she wore jeans, not only could she not come to Church but, in addition, she would not be allowed to be a part of the Church. I don't know how you folks stand on this, but as for me, I will never stand before God and be judged for denying someone fellowship or salvation based upon clothing or appearances, and prayerfully, neither will any of you. As I meditate upon what I read in the Word, there seems to be more emphasis on women overdressing and adorning than there is on women wearing pants, which, by the way, had nothing to do with people coming to Christ. Jesus met these people on the beach and healed them because of their faith; they had seen this action produce results and they mimicked it. He didn't rebuke them or chastise them, He simply blessed them. Maybe we shouldn't get hung up on the little things either, you think? Daily Prayer: Father, I pray for Your wisdom and understanding as we search Your Word and desire to be closer to You and more effective for the Kingdom. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. "Sometimes what we see is all we need to know, however, it doesn't hurt to ask." Pastor Gene Burroughs