Daily Devotions
Mark
2 Peter 2:4b "...and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment."
Day 184 – Mark 8
“…and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment.” 2 Peter 2:4b
AN UNUSUAL PHENOMENON
On all the occasions Jesus healed people, there was instantaneous and complete results. The lame walked. The deaf heard. All were healed immediately and completely. This time round, something unusual took place.
“And when He had spit on His eyes
and put His hands on him, He asked him
if he saw anything. And he looked up and said,
‘I see men like trees, walking.'”
MARK 8:23B-24
1. The use of spit was not unusual
Jesus had done a similar thing for a man who was both deaf and had an impediment in his speech at Decapolis (Cf. Mark 7:32-35). In any case, it was not the spit that caused the healing. It was the Lord Jesus Himself.
2. Taking him out of town
This too was not unusual. Jesus did exactly the same thing when he healed the man who was deaf at Decapolis (Cf. Mark 7:33). He did not want to attract the crowds through healing!
3. The first touch of Jesus
After the first touch from Jesus, the blind man said that he only had partial vision. He could see a little. But he could not distinguish between men and trees!
This was an important intended lesson for the Disciples. Without knowledge and discernment, they too would be like the blind man. They would not be able to distinguish between men and trees!
THE SECOND TOUCH
It would not serve the purpose of the blind man if the healing was incomplete. It would be even more frustrating if he could not distinguish men from trees (He could spend the whole day talking to a tree thinking he was speaking to people). Obviously, Jesus needed to complete the healing of the blind man.
“Then He put His hands on his eyes again
and made him look up. And he was restored
and saw everyone clearly.”
MARK 8:25
How badly the Disciples needed the second touch from their Master. They must seek to be far more discerning than they were! They must seek deeper understanding.
A FAMILIAR COMMANDMENT
Jesus concluded His healing with words that were now familiar to His disciples. The blind man was charged with these words.
“Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in this town.”
MARK 8:26