Mud in the Eyes Part III Collaboration with the Almighty

Mark's gospel also records the miracle healing of a blind man.  

Whether it is the same man described in John 9 is unclear, but Jesus used a similar method in both instances.

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?”

Don’t you love the question Jesus asks? If it were me, I might have protested, “Lord! You just spit in my eyes! How can I see anything?” I wonder how many times I've objected to the process and the methods of God working in my life. 

Now, think about the hopeful simplicity of his question, prompting us to assess the progress. In this case, a man was coming out of a lifetime of sheer darkness into the light of day, and the gradual progression was undoubtedly essential for him. 

When God's working in me, I might not feel ready to perform or answer questions, but in this story we're getting a clear picture (pun intended) of the conversational and listening God who invites our collaboration. I love that. 

God always starts right where we are. “Do you see ANY THING?” 

I wonder if God wants to ask all of us! What do you see in your world? Do you see your spouse, your children, your neighbors? Where is your focus? Are you only concerned about yourself and your 401k? Don’t miss the Christmas story of Scrooge, who squandered his life in pursuit of wealth, and nearly died alone and in misery. 

So the Lord may want us to wake up and think about this. Do you see anything, the way God sees? 

²⁴ He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”

How did this man know what a tree looked like? No doubt he had felt, stumbled into, or leaned on a tree at some point in his life. He probably sought the shelter of trees in bad weather. 

He never imagined that people with all our moving limbs, resembled slender trees. He had to align his prior learning and personal experience with what was being illuminated before him. 

How do I view people? Do I see people like wooden objects or obstacles in my path? 

God wants us to see everything clearly!  He wants us to see people as He sees them—not their age, color, class, gender, uniform, or status—but as objects of his love, created in his image, and destined to reflect his glory. 

This may require our honest admission of continued need for  another fresh touch of God in our lives. This is the privilege of sonship He bestows. It is the collaboration with the Almighty in the unfolding miracle of restoration. 

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. 

The “once more” touch of Jesus proves that even He doesn't do everything fully or completely the first time! I love this reminder of the patient Master at work, the Potter shaping his clay. We are a work in progress and God doesn’t give up on us.  

²⁶ Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into the village.”

Notice, his instructions are very specific afterwards.  We can only guess why this was important for this man, at this time, but it would have been wise for him to obey. I have to believe it was for this man’s benefit and protection that Jesus urged him to go straight home. He may have been mobbed, dragged before the court of Pharisees, or worse, and the Lord knew he couldn’t handle it. (I Cor 10:13, Ex.13:17)

Are you listening to the instructions of the Lord in your life? Our tendency may be to feel annoyed by an interruption to our plans, but what foolishness to disregard the loving guidance of the God who made you. 

Learn to trust and collaborate with Him and you won’t be sorry.  He sees you; He loves you; and He never gives up on you!