Tassel of Healing

~~~  Mark 6: 53-56  ~~~

The scene from the gospel of Mark today is much like that of a celebrity surrounded by the paparazzi.  People were scurrying around, pushing and shoving trying to reach Jesus. 

They had immediately recognized him.

How did they know who he was? Did they first recognize Peter and the other fishermen?

They did not have high tech social media like Twitter. The word about Jesus' ability to heal was spreading like wildfire through word of mouth.

Everyone was talking and gossiping about the miracles performed by this carpenter's son.

Maybe they did not even believe or need to be healed. Maybe they came out of curiosity bringing their family, friends, and neighbors. After all Jesus did invite the first apostles to 'Come and See'. He invited them to come and see; fully knowing they could not have dreamed

what they would encounter.

The believers who came from the villages and the countryside begged Jesus, that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak. The writer of Mark confirms for us 'as many as touched it, the tassel, were healed'. Their faith was so great that they trusted in the healing power of Jesus. He was most likely a stranger to those many who came that day. They did not personally know him.

But they, like us, wanted to have their good health restored.

In ancient Israel, men wore four-cornered outer tunics with these tassels, or tzitziyot, tied to each corners. This outer garment became known as a tallit, and eventually evolved into the more formal prayer shawl. These tassels were to remind each Jewish man of his responsibility to fulfill God's commandments. Because they were hanging on the four corners of your garment, in full view of everyone including yourself, they would be a constant reminder to walk according to God's Laws.

The Hebrew word we translate as Law, is halacha, and it literally means "walk." These tassels were a constant reminder to daily follow God's law. Being a devout Jew, Jesus would have had one of these traditional prayer shawls. During formal times of prayer you would cover your head with your prayer shawl. These tassels were also associated with one's authority as was emphasized when David snips off the corner of Saul's cloak in the dark cave. Saul knew his authority was in danger.

Touching 'only the tassel on his cloak' represented the word of God

and the authority of Jesus as the Divine Healer. 

I can just imagine our local flea market today packed with people laid out on cots waiting for the traveling charismatic healer to arrive. Some hurry to purchase food and cold soft drinks from the nearby vendors to share with their loved ones. As the healer arrives, word quickly spreads through the market place. People are straining just to get a glimpse of him.

He is surounded by his people and briskly walks among the rows of cots. He lays his healing hands on the most crippled and ill. Others reach out to touch the tassel on his stole even if he does not stop at their cot. Only touching a part of his clothing is sufficient to guarantee healing. This simple contact with his tassel ignited their faith and they were healed. The cries of joy and celebration as each person is healed permeate throughout the marketplace.

What an incredible scene this must have been. I wonder how many people truly were converted that day and became believers. Did those who were  healed stand up and follow him?

How did they express their gratitude?

The original photo was of a Hebrew Prayer Shawl with the four customary blue tassels.

This captured kaleidoscope image reflects to me the crowd of people coming to be healed.

They were healed by touching the tassel on his cloak.

Is your faith strong enough to be healed by touching a simple tassel?

What would you need in order to believe?