The Miracle of Process

The word immediately is used (straightway in KJV) out of the 59 times the word immediately is used in the NT 41 of those are in Mark.

Mark 1:18- “They dropped their nets and followed immediately.” Mark 1:31- Jesus heals Peter’s Mother immediately. Mark 1:42 “after Jesus had spoken the man was cleansed.” Mark 2:12 Jesus heals infirm and heals a man lowered through the roof. Mark 5:35 “him of his garment.” 5:42 Jireus daughter picks up the little girl got up immediately. 7:35 Jesus unstopped his plugged up ears immediately. Blind Bartimaeus received his sight immediately.

Although God is capable of doing it immediately, God usually works through process.

“Some people”

Who are they? They don’t have names, but they are important. These people are the honorable mentioned in your story. The are the ones who helped you along the way. Because, truth be told you didn’t get where you are today by yourself (preach)

They are evangelistic. I’m so glad today that Somebody led me to Jesus when I couldn’t find Jesus myself.

We need people in our lives who will intercede for us.

Jesus takes the man out.

What is wrong with the village? Why does Jesus take the man out of Bethsaida. Could it be because that often times Jesus must get us away from our comfort zones in order to work on us.

He isolates the man because although they, brought him to Jesus, Jesus alone can save you.

“I See...”

But I did a little digging and found that back in these times, the Jews actually believe that saliva was medicinal for blindness and that it could sooth itching eyes. Yeah, so when Jesus spits he is communicating something to his audience that he is about to do something. This leads me to believe that Jesus can heal with a word, and if he can heal with a word he can heal with spit, and if he can heal with spit he can heal with surgery, medicine, and counseling. It is all up to Him but it is always Him at work.

I know why you didn’t shout. Its because we’ve somehow been conditions to see the miracle only as the finished product, but in reality the miracle is also in the opening stages of the process.

Clarity

The first touch was for vision, the second touch was for clarity. And the clarity he sees is in essence the completion of the miracle.

This miracle is strategically nestled within a sight to blind motif in Mark. He has just told them in 8:18 that they, his, disciples are still unable to see God’s activity in Christ, then in 10:45 he heals another blind man immediately received his sight. This is showing that the only way to have vision for life and of God is to have a healing encounter with Jesus. And sometimes Jesus has to keep working on us. So, we need to learn to be patient with Jesus while Jesus is patient with us.

Don’t get impatient with people who don’t see like you, because you at one point were blind as well. And don’t get impatient with people who see trees.

Sent Him Home, not to the village