Daily Devotions

Mark

Mark 
Day 
Day 183

2 Peter 3:4a "For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell..."

Day 183 – Mark 8

“For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell…”
2 Peter 3:4a

LESSONS ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR THE DISCIPLES

Jesus, being the Master-Teacher desired to teach His Disciples lessons that they needed to learn badly. One of them was to see themselves as they really were. They needed to know their true spiritual status quo. The following were things that they obviously lacked.

1. Discernment

2. Understanding

3. Faith

Till the Disciples knew their own poor spiritual state and strongly desired to move to a higher level, they would never be able to hope that they would achieve much in life and ministry! Jesus was determined to help His Disciples to grow further.

THE HEALING OF THE BLIND MAN AT BETHSAIDA

An opportunity soon arose. Jesus moved on from Dalmanutha to Bethsaida.

“Then He came to Bethsaida;
and they brought a blind man to Him,
and begged Him to touch Him.”
MARK 8:22

It was never Jesus’ goal to devote all His time to heal the sick. That would have been an endless task. That would have been a task that would have consumed all His energy and time. There was a greater task God had given to Him. That task was with reference to ushering people into the Kingdom of God (Cf. Mark 1:14-15). That was the greatest of His tasks! Nevertheless, this blind man had been brought by well-meaning people who hoped that Jesus could help the blind man.

“So He took the blind man by the hand
and led him out of the town.”
MARK 8:23A

Jesus would not turn down this request for help. But He also intended His disciples to learn invaluable lessons from this incident.

1. The blind need to be led

Gently but firmly Jesus led the blind man. The blind man obviously needed to be led. Jesus could not simply say to him, ‘Follow Me’ and expect the blind man to follow without assistance.

2. Led him out of town

The reason was obvious! He did not want huge crowds to flock to Him just to be healed! The Disciples must learn this lesson well. They too must have the right focus.