The Influence of One Changed Man: Matthew 14:34-36
“34) When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35) And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent word into all that surrounding district and brought to Him all who were sick; 36) and they implored Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were cured.” Matthew 14:34-36 When you tie the record of Matthew and Mark together, an amazing story emerges. It appears that the Gerasene demonic that Jesus had set free as recorded in Matthew 8:28-34 and Mark 5:1-20 became an amazing witness for Jesus. In fact, God used him to spark a regional awakening. Let’s piece the story together.
When the herd of swine rushed down the bank and perished in the sea, those who heard explained what Jesus has done in setting the man free from Legion. The result was that the whole city came out and begged Jesus to depart from their region. (See Matthew 8:34 & Mark 5:17) They rejected Jesus.
Immediately, the newly freed man wanted to join Jesus and His disciples. (See Mark 8:18-19) But Jesus did not let him. Instead He said; “19)… Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.” So, shat does this have to do with our text in Matthew 14:34-36?
Jesus had now come back to Gennesaret, which is in Decapolis and experienced an overwhelming welcome. What had changed? According to Mark 5:20, the man who was set free from Legion obeyed Jesus; “20) And he went away and began to proclaim in Decopolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone marveled.”
The witness of this one man was so impactful, it changed the spiritual climate in the region. The district was transformed from rejection to reception. In fact, the response was so huge, this is where Jesus ended up feeding the four thousand. (See Mark 7:31-8:10) I would call that “fruitfulness.”
According to Matthew 14:35, when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent into all the surrounding district and brought to Him all who were sick. They went from entreating Jesus to leave their region in Matthew 8:34, to entreating Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak in Matthew 14:36. That’s amazing!
Never underestimate the impact you can have for Jesus. If He has changed you, just tell your story. As family, neighbors and friends hear and see the change in you, they will begin to seek Jesus. These three verses scream of the amazing things God can do through the witness of one man or woman.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
