Matthew 14:34-36 And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

Jesus, fresh from walking on the water with Peter, arrives at another region full of people who want his help, time, and attention. And it wasn’t just the people that happened to be around that mobbed him, they sent word all around that something big was happening and everyone should come out.

These were people who wanted just to be near to Jesus, to just touch the hem of his garment, and Jesus made himself available. This contrasts with other religious leaders of the time. For many scribes and Pharisees, the thought of being touched by one of these people would have disgusted them. There was a clear hierarchy, “I may not be a king, but I am above you so don’t you dare come near, much less try and touch me.”

And then we see Jesus, walking shoulder to shoulder with these common people, these sick people, these dirty people. Jesus spent his whole life engaging with the people most of us try to avoid. We usually claim that we are doing it for our own safety. When the truth is probably that we don’t ever want to be associated with “those kinds of people.”

Jesus made it clear who he came to save. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Without him we are all lost, and if we believe that Jesus came to save “us,” we must believe that he came to save “them.” Whatever your personal us and them battle may be, I hope you can recognize that Jesus came to tear down that division.

Jesus came to live a life rubbing shoulders with sinners and showing them that there is a better way. When we live out the calling of Jesus on our lives, we can follow him into unexpected places. Wherever it may take you strive, like the people of Gennesaret to be close to him.