Submitted by Sam Nobles
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. And he sent him to his home, saying, "Do not even
enter the village." Mark 8:22-26
Our Lord is sovereign and is not
obligated to account to us for His actions. There was a valid reason for
everything He did, even though we might not perceive it. In the Bible, almost every
case of healing is different, as is every case of conversion. Some gain
remarkable spiritual sight as soon as they are converted. Others see dimly at
first, then later they enter into a full assurance of salvation.
This is the only miracle in
Jesus’ ministry that took more than one word, or prayer, or touch. I think it
is to teach us that prayer is to be offered until we see things clearly. When
we pray for one another we all win, but if I fail to pray, I am the only one
who loses.
We are to pray for everyone,
even the people who get under our skin, because if we don’t we become guilty of
“seeing people like trees”.
·
We wish they would leaf.
·
We want to cut them down.
·
We think they’re saps.
·
We want to bark at them.
·
I’m going to go out on a limb and admit these
jokes are bad.
In order to see things clearly
it is imperative to go to Jesus again and again. There is no way to pray for
people without starting to love those people. When you pray for people you will
see that Jesus loves that person that you “see like a tree” so much that He
died on a tree for them to be forgiven just like you.
Scripture to Claim:
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do
good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who
abuse you.” Luke 6:27-28
