THE BRIDGE
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
When they arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and they begged him to touch the man and heal him. Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then, spitting on the man’s eyes, he laid his hands on him and asked, “Can you see anything now?” The man looked around. “Yes,” he said, “I see people, but I can’t see them very clearly. They look like trees walking around.” Then Jesus placed his hands on the man’s eyes again, and his eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly. Jesus sent him away, saying, “Don’t go back into the village on your way home.”
Mark 8:22-26 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
This recorded miracle unique to Mark’s gospel. It is interesting to note this miracle took place in Bethsaida, a city that had already been judged because of its unbelief (Matt. 11:21-24). It is also interesting to note that people brought the man to Jesus. There is faith on the part of some of his friends that brought the man to Jesus. I believe God can use us to bring people to Jesus. We can be the bridge between a blind society and Jesus. Our love and care can pave the path for them to discover their life transforming miracle. It is also interesting to note Jesus took the man outside the village to perform the miracle. Perhaps the issue was a lack of faith in Bethsaida. Jesus wanted to separate the man from the unbelief present in the village. Jesus may have also not wanted the man to be sensational show to entertain those who had no real faith in Jesus. In the gospels there are records of at least seven blind men. Jesus ministered healing to each of them in unique ways. In this instance there was a gradual miracle, not an instantaneous restoration of sight. Jesus often did miracles in different ways. We should be careful we don’t try to put Jesus in a box and limit how Jesus can work in the lives of people. I have experienced people in the Church trying to put Jesus in a box. They want the service to have a specific pattern and the proper song to be sung so that Jesus can transform lives. Jesus can interrupt our plans and methods to show His creativity and ability to transform lives in unique ways. Don’t limit the Holy Spirit in His way of moving and working.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit, I want you to work in and through my life. Help me to be sensitive to what You want to do and when You want to do it.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”