What Jesus Did! 'Can You See?' — Mark 8:22-26

Monday, May 20, 2024

When [Jesus and the disciples] 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

Key Thought

For those who are familiar with Jesus' other miracles, this one seems bizarre! Usually when Jesus heals, people are healed immediately and completely. Not this time! So why not? Because Jesus is still trying to get his followers to understand through the eyes of faith. This blind man becomes the mirror for them to see themselves. While they can see partially who Jesus is because of their involvement with him, they must come to see him completely and let him fully reveal who he really is. Like the blind man in the story, they need Jesus to complete his work of helping them see who he really is! Their confusion should remind us to keep coming back to the Bible and to keep asking Jesus to make himself fully known to us.

Today's Prayer

O Father, I want to truly know your Son, Jesus. I don't want a partial, lopsided view of him; I want to know him fully even as I am fully known. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • John 4:39-42
  • John 5:39-49
  • John 14:20-23

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3 Related Resources by Heartlight

Cruciformed #2: Beyond Our Blurry Vision
Article by Phil Ware
As we journey with Jesus down his way of the cross, something grabs our hearts. That drawing power reaches through the centuries. Phil Ware continues his series from the Gospel of Mark called Cruciformed, formed into the likeness of Jesus who went to the cross.
Please Open His Eyes!
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"When [Jesus and the disciples] arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and they begged him to touch the man and heal him."
It All Hinges on This
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How can we know if our lives make a difference and truly matter? Phil Ware helps us to better understand both Mark's message about where true life is found and also his outline and organization of his gospel around the hinges to the story provided by the stories of two blind men that Jesus heals.

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 8:22-26 NLT — "Don't go back into the village on your way home."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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