“And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, ‘Do you see anything?’ And he looked up and said, ‘I see people, but they look like trees, walking.’ Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.” Mark 8:22-25
The some people are not identified, nor is the blind man named. The star of this story is Jesus and what He does in response to the bringing and begging and blind. His compassion and power are ignited to life-changing action by the needs and impetus of His people. They recognized the helplessness of the individual and expended the effort to take him to the One they believed could help. They implored Jesus on behalf of the miracles they knew He had and could perform. It is He who gave faith, awakened its impulses, and acted in glorious wisdom and beauty according to its exercise. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
The Christian life is one of constant integration with our heavenly Lord. His is the purpose and power, ours the onus to tap in and participate. His Spirit in us enlivens concern and care for others, as well as increasing knowledge of all He is capable of doing. As we grow and His Spirit quickens and sanctifies, our desires align with His and needs are matched by faith to His supply. (Hebrews 11:6)
Our responsibility is to know Him, what He does, and where He wants us involved. Are we in the word regularly to comprehend how He works in His world, and to glean His eternal perspective? Do we ask Him to teach us more of His gospel?
How involved are we willing to get in the mess of others? Whom do we know who is spiritually blind, and what effort do we take to bring them to Jesus? Do we care as much for the hard circumstances and long-lasting condition of others as we do for our own temporal wants? Whom can we pray for and practically help this day to see Christ anew?
“Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,
weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
full of pity, love, and pow’r.
Come, ye thirsty, come, and welcome,
God’s free bounty glorify;
true belief and true repentance,
every grace that brings you nigh.
Let not conscience make you linger,
nor of fitness fondly dream;
all the fitness He requireth
is to feel your need of Him.
Come, ye weary, heavy laden,
lost and ruined by the fall;
if you tarry till you’re better,
you will never come at all.
Lo! th’incarnate God, ascended,
pleads the merit of His blood;
venture on Him, venture wholly;
let no other trust intrude.” ~Joseph Hart (1759)
“Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb,
Your loosened tongues employ;
Ye blind, behold your Savior come;
And leap, ye lame, for joy.” ~Charles Wesley (1739)
Father, give me eyes to see needs, and the will to do all I can to see Your truth and power transform the needy, to Your praise.
As the rain and snow 