What Jesus Did! 'Can You See?' — Mark 8:23-26

Friday, May 20, 2016

So Jesus held the blind man's hand and led him out of the village. Then Jesus spit on the man's eyes. Jesus put his hands on the blind man and asked him, "Can you see now?" The blind man looked up and said, "Yes, I see people. They look like trees walking around." Again Jesus put his hands on the blind man's eyes. Then the man opened his eyes wide. His eyes were healed, and he was able to see everything clearly. Jesus told him to go home. Jesus said, "Don't go into the town."
— Mark 8:23-26
Illustration of Mark 8:23-26 — "Don't go into the town."

Key Thought

For those who are familiar with Jesus' other miracles, this seems bizarre! When Jesus heals, people are healed immediately and completely. Not this time! So why not? 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 previous involvement with him, they must come to him 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, lop-sided view of him, but I want to know him fully even as I am fully known. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

Jesus and his followers came to Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man to Jesus. They begged Jesus to touch the man. So Jesus held the blind man's hand and led him out of the village. Then Jesus spit on the man's eyes. Jesus put his hands on the blind man and asked him, "Can you see now?" The blind man looked up and said, "Yes, I see people. They look like trees walking around." Again Jesus put his hands on the blind man's eyes. Then the man opened his eyes wide. His eyes were healed, and he was able to see everything clearly. Jesus told him to go home. Jesus said, "Don't go into the town."

Mark 8:22-26

Related Scripture Readings

Many of the Samaritan people in that town believed in Jesus. They believed because of what the woman had told them about Jesus. She had told them, "He (Jesus) told me everything I have ever done." The Samaritans went to Jesus. They begged Jesus to stay with them. So Jesus stayed there two days. Many more people believed because of the things Jesus said. The people said to the woman, "First we believed in Jesus because of what you told us. But now we believe because we heard him ourselves. We know now that he really is the one that will save the world."

John 4:39-42

On that day you will know that I am in the Father. You will know that you are in me and I am in you. If a person knows my commands and obeys those commands, then that person truly loves me. And my Father will love the person that loves me. And I will love that person. I will show myself to him." Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But Lord, why do you plan to show yourself to us, but not to the world?" Jesus answered, "If any person loves me, then he will obey my teaching. My Father will love that person. My Father and I will come to that person and live with him.

John 14:20-23

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did is a one-year devotional guide through the gospels, using one short passage each day and following the Gospel in consecutive order. Each devotional consists of a passage, reflection and a prayer which opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.

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