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 NLT
Illustration of Mark 8:23-26 NLT — "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.

Related Scripture Readings

  • John 4:39-42
  • John 5:39-49
  • 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.

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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