Lenten Devotions - Day 24
“The man looked up and said, ‘I see people, but they look like trees walking around!’” Mark 8:24
Jesus' way of healing was sometimes strange. Why did Jesus heal this blind man in two steps? Wouldn’t one have been sufficient? Was he unsure of what he was doing? Did he need the practice by trial and error? What we know of Jesus makes that unlikely. There must be a better explanation for this strange account of healing a blind man. After all, Jesus had a reason for everything he said and did.
It might be that Jesus simply had more going on than meeting this blind man's need of sight. He was obviously concerned with the physical needs of those around him. It may be that he had other concerns that were just as important, and he chose to address more than one issue at a time. He was, after all, a teacher. He had a responsibility to guide the disciples toward a better understanding of God and the gospel. Perhaps this was a good opportunity to teach his disciples about spiritual vision and understanding, as well as meeting this man's need.
He had fed five thousand with loaves and fishes. He fed another four thousand days before. Even so, the Pharisees called on him to perform some miraculous sign from God that would prove his power as originating with God. They wanted him to offer confirmation that he was indeed a spokesman of Yahweh. It was especially important to them, as his words often contradicted their pet ideas, doctrines, or way of living. Proving divine authority was actually a Scripturally-backed demand. They had been told to test those who claimed to speak for Yahweh. They were to demand a sign that could be confirmed. The problem was that Jesus had already given many signs they had chosen to ignore.
Miraculous signs are not enough to spawn true faith. Faith based on miracles requires more signs. It is as tenuous as the latest miracle, certainty that no trick was involved, and the reputation of witnesses. Certainly, miraculous signs draw attention and grant a hearing but are insufficient grounds for true faith. The experience over, questions of exactly what happened—our second-guessing—begin. Faith built on signs is only as secure as their ongoing presence or the ability and desire to shove doubt aside.
Jesus did not trust signs, nor did he trust the fickle nature of the devotion of the crowds. Sure, he fed 5000, and then 4000, but it was the inner group of twelve on whom he focused his attention. They had seen all the signs and marvels. They still did not really understand the essence of who he was nor the focus of his mission and purpose. They failed to grasp that he had little concern for the minor issues of food, clothing, and shelter. His concern was for the spiritual realities of the coming Reign of God.
There are those who are blind. There are those who seem blind. There are those who believe themselves capable of seeing, yet whose vision is grossly distorted. Regardless of our claim to understand and speak for God, we too often find that our vision is only as good as this blind man who began to see, yet whose eyes showed only a poor image of people walking as trees. As him, the disciples needed better vision and understanding that Jesus had to offer.
God desires to teach us to see clearly according to God's priorities and values. Ask God to help you set aside your sense of spiritual vision in place for the understanding God would give you.
“Lord, help me to focus less on my issues that I might see life according to your values and priorities. Grant me the spiritual vision by which you desire me to direct my steps.”
—©Copyright 2009 Christopher B. Harbin http://www.sermonsearch.com/contributors/104427/
Jesus' way of healing was sometimes strange. Why did Jesus heal this blind man in two steps? Wouldn’t one have been sufficient? Was he unsure of what he was doing? Did he need the practice by trial and error? What we know of Jesus makes that unlikely. There must be a better explanation for this strange account of healing a blind man. After all, Jesus had a reason for everything he said and did.
It might be that Jesus simply had more going on than meeting this blind man's need of sight. He was obviously concerned with the physical needs of those around him. It may be that he had other concerns that were just as important, and he chose to address more than one issue at a time. He was, after all, a teacher. He had a responsibility to guide the disciples toward a better understanding of God and the gospel. Perhaps this was a good opportunity to teach his disciples about spiritual vision and understanding, as well as meeting this man's need.
He had fed five thousand with loaves and fishes. He fed another four thousand days before. Even so, the Pharisees called on him to perform some miraculous sign from God that would prove his power as originating with God. They wanted him to offer confirmation that he was indeed a spokesman of Yahweh. It was especially important to them, as his words often contradicted their pet ideas, doctrines, or way of living. Proving divine authority was actually a Scripturally-backed demand. They had been told to test those who claimed to speak for Yahweh. They were to demand a sign that could be confirmed. The problem was that Jesus had already given many signs they had chosen to ignore.
Miraculous signs are not enough to spawn true faith. Faith based on miracles requires more signs. It is as tenuous as the latest miracle, certainty that no trick was involved, and the reputation of witnesses. Certainly, miraculous signs draw attention and grant a hearing but are insufficient grounds for true faith. The experience over, questions of exactly what happened—our second-guessing—begin. Faith built on signs is only as secure as their ongoing presence or the ability and desire to shove doubt aside.
Jesus did not trust signs, nor did he trust the fickle nature of the devotion of the crowds. Sure, he fed 5000, and then 4000, but it was the inner group of twelve on whom he focused his attention. They had seen all the signs and marvels. They still did not really understand the essence of who he was nor the focus of his mission and purpose. They failed to grasp that he had little concern for the minor issues of food, clothing, and shelter. His concern was for the spiritual realities of the coming Reign of God.
There are those who are blind. There are those who seem blind. There are those who believe themselves capable of seeing, yet whose vision is grossly distorted. Regardless of our claim to understand and speak for God, we too often find that our vision is only as good as this blind man who began to see, yet whose eyes showed only a poor image of people walking as trees. As him, the disciples needed better vision and understanding that Jesus had to offer.
God desires to teach us to see clearly according to God's priorities and values. Ask God to help you set aside your sense of spiritual vision in place for the understanding God would give you.
“Lord, help me to focus less on my issues that I might see life according to your values and priorities. Grant me the spiritual vision by which you desire me to direct my steps.”
—©Copyright 2009 Christopher B. Harbin http://www.sermonsearch.com/contributors/104427/
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