Devote #49

I’ve told you before, but want to tell you again. When I read the Bible, I hear the sounds, see the sights, smell the aroma, can taste the food and feel the movement. In other words, all of my senses go into action and the Word of God comes alive for me. When that happens there are certain little nuances that stand out to me and make me ponder their deepness. Here’s one of them.

As I’m reading Mark 8, I come to verse 22 and am told that Jesus and His disciples were walking into a certain town and as they are some people place a blind man in front of Jesus and started begging Him to touch his eyes.

Here are a couple of assumptions.

#1. These people were the caretakers of this blind man, which meant that every day they needed to drop him off at his begging spot and then pick him up at the end of the day. He was blind. He didn’t know where to go.

#2. These people had heard something or seen something concerning Jesus’ ability to heal.

#3. They’re begging Jesus to do a healing. But my question is, Why? Is it so their friend can see? Or, is it because they no longer want to take care of him?

I think that way because we’re told Jesus took the man by the hand and lead him outside the village where the two of them are alone. Why couldn’t Jesus just heal him inside the village? Why did He take the man away from these people?

Once away from everyone, Jesus spit into the man’s eyes – ya, just saying, I’m not sure how I would have received that! – and then placed His hand on his eyes. He asked the man if he could see anything. The man’s response was…
“I see people, but they look like trees walking around.” Mark 8:24 CEV

So Jesus placed His hands on his eyes again and this time his eyes were totally healed and the Bible tells us…
“… he saw everything clearly.” Mark 8:25 CEV

But here’s where it gets really good because Jesus tells him…
“You may return home now, but don’t go into the village.” Mark 8:26 CEV

Does that strike you as interesting? It does me! Think about it. “Return home…” In case you forgot, this man was blind. He saw nothing. How does he know where his home is? Which direction is home? Which house is his? Which street is it on?

Here’s my word of encouragement for you today: You might not always know which way you’re going, but Jesus does. He’ll point you in the right direction and all you need to do is start walking in faith. Don’t worry, He’ll help you see everything clearly.

Father,
My vision isn’t always as clear as it should be, so thank You for healing me and giving me my sight. Help me to return home. In Jesus name I ask this, Amen.

Rev. Dr. MM Marxhausen