How can we encourage others to reach out to Jesus for healing and hope? Touching the Fringe: Matthew 14:36 “and begged Him to let them merely touch the fringe of His cloak. And all who touched Him were healed.” What the Scene Reveals about Jesus • He welcomes desperate people; no one is turned away. • Healing flows from Him freely—no ritual, payment, or prior worthiness required. • A simple, faith-filled touch is enough; the power is His, not ours. • The crowd’s bold request (“let us touch”) shows that asking is encouraged, not presumptuous. Why This Matters for Us Today • Hebrews 13:8 reminds us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” The compassion seen in Galilee is undiminished. • Isaiah 53:4-5 foretold that the Messiah would bear our sicknesses; the cross secures more than forgiveness—He purchased wholeness. • Mark 5:28 records the woman who thought, “If only I touch His garments, I will be healed.” Two different crowds, one shared assurance: the lightest contact with Jesus changes everything. Practical Ways to Encourage Others to Reach Out 1. Share real stories – Testify to answered prayers and changed lives you’ve witnessed. – Highlight biblical accounts like Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52) and the paralytic’s friends (Luke 5:17-26) to show Christ’s track record. 2. Offer a simple invitation – “Let’s bring this to Jesus together right now.” – Keep the language plain: Jesus hears, cares, responds. 3. Remove obstacles – Provide transportation to church or prayer meetings. – Sit with them, introduce them to believers who will pray. 4. Model expectancy – Pray believing, not merely hoping. – Quote promises such as Hebrews 4:16: “Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with confidence…” 5. Love tangibly while pointing upward – Meals, rides to the doctor, listening ears—all communicate Christ’s heart and make His invitation credible. 6. Use Scripture as the foundation – Text an encouraging verse; read it aloud together. Faith is sparked when people hear God’s Word (Romans 10:17). Helping a Whole Community Reach for Jesus • Organize testimony nights where people publicly recount healings and answered prayers. • Keep James 5:14-15 in practice: elders praying, anointing with oil, expecting the Lord to raise the sick. • Train small-group leaders to offer immediate prayer rather than deferred sympathy. • Celebrate even incremental progress; every improvement is evidence of Jesus at work. Living in Hope The crowds of Matthew 14 touched just the fringe and “all who touched Him were healed.” That same Savior walks into every gathering where He is welcomed. By sharing His Word, extending practical love, and praying expectantly, we become the hands that guide others to reach out—and the fringe of His cloak is still within arm’s length. |
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