Jesus’ compassion

Jesus and his disciples crossed the lake and arrived in the region of Gennesaret (“Gennesaret” is believed to refer to the area around Capernaum). The people of the region joyfully welcomed Jesus. While Jesus was rejected in Nazareth, he was accepted here. However, we need to look closely at the reason why they gathered around Jesus. They had witnessed the miracle of the loaves and fish, and had come to Jesus again, seeking such blessings (details of this can be found in John 6:22-71. Jesus took this opportunity to deliver the message of the bread of life. Christ used the phrase “bread of life” as a symbolism referring to Himself as the Messiah). Jesus knew that their motives were misguided, but out of compassion, He healed the sick who came seeking healing. Here, the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd is revealed.

The fringe of the cloak

In today’s passage, all those who touched the fringe of Jesus’ cloak were healed. The “fringe of the cloak” refers to the “tassel of the garment” (ref. Matt. 14:34-36). The phrase “tassel of his garment” also appeared in Mark 5:25-34. In that passage, a woman suffering from hemorrhage for 12 years approached Jesus from behind and touched the fringe of his cloak. Immediately, her bleeding stopped, and she was healed. “The fringe” refers to the tassels attached to the corners of a garment, known as “tzitzit” in Hebrew. Even today, religious Jewish people wear these tassels. In Numbers 15:38, there is a commandment to wear these “fringes” to remember all of the Lord’s commandments and to do them. So, the fringes (tzitzit) symbolically represented God’s word. The woman that suffered from hemorrhage for a long-time touched Jesus’ fringe with faith and was healed. In today’s passage also, everyone who touched the fringe of His cloak was healed. The way to receive blessings from God is to (1) rely on God’s mercy and (2) trust and obey God’s word. Jesus, the Healer, is still with us today.