A Better View

Well, the Lord did it again.  My pastor allowed God to use him in a mighty way on Sunday.  If the first Sunday of 2020 was any indication of where the year will lead, we are all in position for an awesome adventure.  The sermon falls in line with what the previous blogs have discussed…vision.

Mark 8:22-26 tells the story of a blind man.  The man’s friends bring him to Jesus because they want Jesus to restore the man’s sight.  What awesome friends!  They know the blind man has a need so they take him to the one who can do something about it.

My pastor shared that this was the only miracle that was done in stages.  Generally, Jesus touches someone or speaks a Word, and their life is instantly transformed.  Why did He alter His usual process in this instance?  Well, per today’s sermon points, I can tell you what my pastor inferred from this whole exchange.

The first stage involves Jesus leading the blind man away from His friends.  Jesus takes the man by the hand and begins to walk him outside of the village.  I have to wonder what the man thought at this point.  He knows his friends, but he doesn’t know Jesus.  But Jesus is compassionate.  He doesn’t speak.  He just leads the man away.  Further away from his friends and totally at the mercy of Jesus.

The man’s faith sustained him during the pulling away from all that was familiar.  Now it was on to the next stage.  Jesus spits and puts the saliva on the man’s eyes.  He asks the man if he can see anything.  The man blinks and says that he can see people but they kind of look like trees walking.  It’s another test of his faith.  He wants to see.  He believes it’s possible, but his vision is still distorted.

The final step occurs when Jesus places his hands on the man’s eyes again.  The man looks intently, and his sight was restored.  He could see EVERYTHING clearly.  What a miracle!

My pastor wrapped up the sermon by challenging our thought process.  Perhaps Jesus performed the miracle one stage at a time because of the man’s faith level.  Because Jesus is compassionate, He was patient.  And little by little, He blessed the man on the level of his faith.

I’m certain that God is doing this very thing with me right now.  I want financial freedom.  So, He’s blessing me where I am.  I’m being a more faithful steward of my money.  It’s a challenge, but I know that God is meeting me in the place that I stand.  I want to experience His peace.  So, I’ve started to be intentional about my prayer life.  God is meeting me right where I am.

He will meet you too.  He will take your hand and guide you while you’re still blind.  He will pull you away from the crowds and distractions to minister just to you.  He will ask what you’re believing Him for.  He will challenge you to dare to dream that you can receive the very things that you ask Him for.  And in the end, He will give you a much better view.  #wepreach