Eyes Opened

Eyes Opened
Words of Faith 1-9-2024
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2024
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Mark 8
[22] They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. [23] He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?"
[24] He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around."
[25] Once more, Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. [26] Jesus sent him home, saying, "Don't go into the village."

Healing with spittle is probably not our first choice, but when healing is needed, we will receive it in any form it comes. In the time of Jesus, spittle was sometimes viewed as medicinal. We have all probably licked a wound or e made a mud salve for a wasp or bee sting. But in the time of Jesus, spittle was generally viewed with disgust, much as it is today.
Some have suggested that the use of spittle by Jesus in this circumstance may have been a test of this man, but we do not know. One interesting point is that Jesus took the man and led him by the hand outside the village. This was to be a private healing.
This healing was also unusual because it came in two stages. In fact, this is the only two-stage healing in the Gospels. It teaches us that sometimes healing comes gradually. We often want to see an instant healing that involves no medicine, but one of the ways Jesus heals is through medicine and time.
This healing provides a powerful image for us as disciples. This was a real healing, but it also shows us how the Lord often deals with us.
First, Jesus leads us gently by the hand. He deals with us one-on-one. His dealing with us is personal and unique, not corporate, even if we happen to be part of a crowd.
Second, Jesus may surprise us with His ways. His medicine may be in a form that would generally repulse us yet certainly causes us to trust Him wholly.
Third, we may begin to see, but not clearly. People may appear like trees, but we are getting closer.
Finally, things become clear, and we can see as He touches us again.

Where are you in your walk with God? Is Jesus seeking to open your eyes? Jesus will lead you by the hand, deal with you personally, uniquely touch you, and then, over time, clear your vision.

Lord Jesus, open my eyes that I might see glimpses of truth Thou hast for me. Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit Divine!

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2024
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2023 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.