Matthew 14:34 - Meaning and Application

Here we have a report of many miracles that Christ did on the other side of the lake, in the land of Gennesaret. Wherever Christ went, he did good. Gennesaret was a region between Bethsaida and Capernaum, and it gave its name to, or took its name from, this sea, which is called the Lake of Gennesaret (Luke 5:1). The name means the valley of branches.

Notice, first, the eagerness and faith of the people there. They were better than the Gergesenes, their neighbors on the same lake shore. The Gergesenes asked Christ to leave them, because they wanted nothing from him. These people asked him to help them, because they knew they needed him. Christ counts it the greatest honor we can give him, to make use of him.

We are told how the people were brought to Christ. They had heard about him. It is likely that his miraculous crossing of the sea, which the men in the boat would spread abroad, prepared the way for his welcome there. Christ has great purposes in what he does. They knew about this, and about the other miracles he had done, so they came running to him. Those who know Christ’s name will turn to him. If Christ were better known, he would not be neglected as he is. People trust him only as far as they know him.

They also knew that he was among them for a time. The one who notices the time of his opportunity is wise to use it well. This was the world’s guilt, that Christ was in the world and the world did not know him (John 1:10). Jerusalem did not know him either (Luke 19:42). But there were some who knew when he was among them. It is better to know that a prophet is among us than to know only that one has been here before (Ezekiel 2:5).

They also brought others to Christ by telling their neighbors that he had come into their region. They sent word throughout that whole country. Those who have found Christ should do all they can to bring others to him too. We should not keep these spiritual blessings to ourselves. There is enough in Christ for everyone, so no one gains by hoarding. When we have a chance to get good for our own souls, we should bring as many others as we can to share it with us. More people would welcome Christ if they were only called and invited.

They sent word through their own country because it was theirs, and they cared about its good. We can show love for our country no better than by spreading the knowledge of Christ in it. Being near others gives us a chance to do good, and we should use it. Those who live near us should receive something from us, at least by our example, to help bring them near to Christ.

Their purpose in coming to Christ was not only, and perhaps not mainly, to be taught, but to have their sick healed. They brought him all who were ill. If love for Christ and his teaching will not bring people to him, self-interest still might. If we truly sought our own good, our peace, and our welfare, we would seek the things of Christ. We honor him and please him when we receive grace and right standing with God from him. Christ is the right One to take the sick to, the Physician, the Sun of Righteousness, who has healing under his wings.

They came to him with great urgency. They begged him to let them touch only the edge of his garment (Matthew 14:36). They came with great persistence, because they begged him. We should certainly beg to be healed when God, through his ministers, begs us to be healed. The greatest gifts and blessings are received from Christ by asking. Ask, and it will be given.

They came with great humility. They came as people who knew they were far from him, and they humbly begged him to help them. Their wish to touch the hem of his garment shows that they thought themselves unworthy of any special notice. They did not think he should even speak directly to their case, much less touch them to heal them. Yet they counted it a great favor if he would allow them to touch the edge of his garment. In eastern lands, people show respect to rulers by kissing their sleeve or the border of their robe.

They came with strong confidence in his power. They did not doubt that they would be healed, even by touching the hem of his garment. They believed they would receive rich help from him through the smallest sign of fellowship with him. They did not ask for the kind of formal act Naaman wanted, when he expected the prophet to wave his hand over the diseased place (2 Kings 5:11). They were sure there was such fullness of healing power in Christ that none who were brought near him could fail to be cured. This was the same region where the woman with the bleeding problem was healed by touching the hem of his garment and was praised for her faith (Matthew 9:20-22). They likely took courage from that story. The experience of others in seeking Christ can guide us and encourage us in seeking him too. It is good to use the same means that have helped others before us.

The result of their coming to Christ was wonderful. It was not in vain that these descendants of Jacob sought him, for as many as touched him were made completely well. Christ’s healings are complete healings. Those he heals, he heals fully. He does not do his work in part. Spiritual healing may not be finished at once, but the one who began the good work will surely carry it on to completion (Philippians 1:6).

There is plenty of healing power in Christ for everyone who comes to him, no matter how many they are. That precious ointment poured on his head ran down to the edge of his robe (Psalm 133:2). Even the smallest part of Christ’s gifts, like the hem of his garment, is filled with the overflowing riches of his grace. He is able to save completely.

The healing power in Christ is given for the good of those who truly and livingly touch him by faith. Christ is in heaven, yet his word is near us, and he himself is present in that word. When we join faith to the word, apply it to ourselves, trust it, and submit to its commands and influence, then we touch the hem of Christ’s garment. If we only touch that way, we are made whole. He offers spiritual healing on such simple terms that he may truly be said to heal freely. So if our souls die from their wounds, the fault is not with our Physician. It is not because he lacks skill or willingness. It is entirely our own fault. He could have healed us, and he would have healed us, but we would not be healed. Then our blood will be on our own heads.