Jesus Puts His Hands on the Blind Man Again - Mark 8:25

Mark wrote how Jesus “came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-five of his book, Mark shared how Jesus, “put his hand again upon his eyes” where we read:

After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up:

and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.

The verse reads, “After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up:” Mark began with the words, “after that he” which means “after the blind man answered, Jesus” “put his hands again” or “placed and lay His physical hands” “upon his eyes” which means “upon the blind man's physical eyes”, “and made him look up” or “and caused the blind man to raise his eyes to see”. Mark shared how Jesus responded to the blind man's answer by laying His hands upon his eyes a second time, and He instructed the man to “raise his eyes to see” again.

The verse goes on to say, “and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.” Mark continued with the words, “and he was restored” which means “and the blind man was reconstituted in his former way of seeing”, “and saw” or “and was able to see” “every man clearly” which means “each, all, the whole and everyone plainly and in a far-shining manner”. Mark shared how the blind man's sight was fully reconstituted, and he was able to see every person with “clarity” and in a “far-shining” manner.

When we consider Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus “touched” the blind man a “second time”. This demonstrates His ability to do miracles in “different” ways, and He was not locked in to only one way of healing. God uses many methods to minister to people's needs, and He knows how to employ them according to His perfect plan. God sent Jesus to remove the “spiritual blindness” within every person because of their “sin”, and when they yield their lives to Him as their “Savior and Lord”, He will minister to them in the best method to meet their personal needs.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus sent the blind man, “away to his house”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

The Blind Man Sees Men as Trees - Mark 8:24

Mark wrote how Jesus “came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-four of his book, Mark shared how the blind man, “looked up, and said, I see men as trees” where we read:

And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.

The verse reads, “And he looked up, and said, ...” Mark began with the words, “and he looked up” which means “and the blind man raised his eyes to see”, “and said” or “and uttered, declared and proclaimed”. Mark shared how the blind man observed Jesus' question by raising His eyes to see and proclaimed the following words.

The verse continues, “... I see men as trees, walking.” Mark added the words, “I see men” which means “the blind man observed and saw people” “as trees” or “like they were physical trees”, “walking” which means “ambling, making their progress and conducting themselves in opportunities”. Mark shared how the blind man “saw” people as though they were “trees walking” around.

When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we discover the blind man's answer to Jesus about whether he saw anything. The man was able to see but not clearly. Rather than seeing people as they look normally, he saw them as “trees walking” around. We shall see how Jesus reacts to this man's response, but let it suffice for now to notice Jesus' tender care toward this blind man. God demonstrates His love through the life of Jesus, and when people who are “blind” both “physically and spiritually” yield their lives to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, they shall “see” clearly like they never have before.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus, “put his hands again upon his eyes”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

Jesus Leads a Blind Man - Mark 8:23

Mark wrote how Jesus “came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-three of his book, Mark shared how Jesus “took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town” where we read:

And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town;

and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.

The verse reads, “And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town;” Mark began with the words, “and he took” which means “and Jesus lay hold of, seized and clutched” “the blind man” or “the man who could not see or whose vision was opaque” “by the hand” which means “by his physical hand”, “and led him out” or “and brought forth the blind man out” “of the town” which means “from the village, hamlet and dwelling place” . Mark shared how Jesus “lay hold of” the blind man's hand and brought him to the outskirts of the “village”.

The verse goes on to say, “and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.” Mark continued with the words, “and when” which means “and at the time and moment” “he had spit” or “Jesus had projected saliva from His mount” “on his eyes” which means “upon the blind man's physical eyes for seeing”, “and put his hands upon him” or “and placed and lay His physical hands upon the blind man”, “he asked him” which means “Jesus inquired of and questioned the blind man” “if he saw ought” or “whether the blind man was able to see anything”. Mark shared how Jesus “spit” saliva on the blind man's eyes, put His physical hands upon him and questioned whether the man was able to see anything.

When we meditate upon Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus used another way to “heal” this person who was blind. Jesus used various methods for ministering to people, and He continues to do so today. Rather than present a pattern for healing, Jesus “spit” in this man's eyes and touched them with His hands. He inquired of the blind man whether he “saw” anything at all, and the man will answer Jesus' question in the next verse. For now, let all who consider this work of Jesus to be another demonstration of God's loving care for mankind and His desire to give them “everlasting life” through His Son Jesus Christ.

Next time Mark shares how the blind man, “looked up, and said, I see men as trees” Jesus, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

A Blind Man Brought to Jesus - Mark 8:22

Mark wrote how Jesus' “disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf. And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread. And when Jesus knew it, he said unto them, Why reason you, because you have no bread? perceive you not yet, neither understand? have you your heart yet hardened? Having eyes, see you not? and having ears, hear you not? and do you not remember?When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took you up? They say unto him, Twelve. And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took you up? And they said, Seven. And he said unto them, How is it that you do not understand?”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-two of his book, Mark shared how people in Bethsaida brought, “a blind man unto him” where we read:

And he came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.

The verse reads, “And he came to Bethsaida;” Mark began with the words, “and he came” which means “and Jesus entered and came forth” “to Bethsaida” or “a small fishing village on the west shore of Lake Gennesaret, home of Andrew, Peter, Philip and John whose name means house of fish”. Mark shared how Jesus now entered the village of “Bethsaida”.

The verse continues, “and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.” Mark added the words, “and they brought” which means “and people from the village of Bethsaida carried, bore up and produced” “a blind man” or “a man who could not see or who had opaque (as if smokey” vision)” “unto him” which means “to Jesus”, “and besought him” or “and begged, entreated, beseeched and encouraged Jesus” “to touch him” which means “to put His hands upon the blind man”. Mark shared how people within the village of “Bethsaida” led a man who could not see to Jesus and desired that Jesus would “put His hands” upon him.

When we consider Mark's words in this verse, we discover the desire and faith of the people within the “Bethsaida” village. They knew about a man who was “blind” in their village, and they believed if they “brought” the man to Jesus, Jesus could heal him. Jesus had a reputation for helping people when they were physically feeble or unwell, and when the people of “Bethsaida” heard Jesus was among them, they knew He could heal their friend. God loves to help people, and His greatest aid is offered through an eternal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. Though physical maladies will come and go, those who understand there is a “spiritual” world will yield their lives to Jesus so He can remove the blindness from their eyes so they might see.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus, “took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town” Jesus, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

How Do You Not Understand? - Mark 8:21

Mark wrote how Jesus' “disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf. And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread. And when Jesus knew it, he said unto them, Why reason you, because you have no bread? perceive you not yet, neither understand? have you your heart yet hardened? Having eyes, see you not? and having ears, hear you not? and do you not remember?When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took you up? They say unto him, Twelve. And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took you up? And they said, Seven”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-one of his book, Mark shared how Jesus asked His disciples, “how is it that you do not understand?” where we read:

And he said unto them, How is it that you do not understand?

The verse reads, “And he said unto them, ...” Mark began with the words, “and he said” which means “and Jesus uttered, declared, proclaimed and asked” “unto them” or “to His disciples. Mark shared how Jesus continued His discourse with His disciples.

The verse goes on to say, “How is it that you do not understand?” Mark continued with the words, “how” or “in what way and manner” is it that you do” which means “do Jesus' disciples” “not understand” which means “no and in no way perceive, comprehend, consider or be wise”? Mark shared how Jesus questioned as to “why” His “disciples” did not “comprehend” what He meant by being aware of the “leaven” of the “Pharisees and Herod”.

When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus appealed to His disciples to remember His provision of “physical nourishment” in the past so they would know what He meant by the “spiritual nourishment” in the present. “The Pharisees and Herod” were preaching and teaching false doctrine, and because Jesus' disciples were focused upon their “physical” condition, they were missing the importance of the “spiritual” one. God knows people focus their attention upon their temporary physical circumstances which often leads to ignoring spiritual ones which are eternal. Those who are wise will understand that God sent His Son Jesus into the world to help people realize there is an “eternal spiritual realm”, and only those who receive Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” will be able to live with God within it. Let all who read these words hear Jesus' asking them, “how is it that you do not understand?”

Next time Mark shares how, “they brought a blind man to” Jesus, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

Reminder of Feeding the Four Thousand - Mark 8:20

Mark wrote how Jesus' “disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf. And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread. And when Jesus knew it, he said unto them, Why reason you, because you have no bread? perceive you not yet, neither understand? have you your heart yet hardened? Having eyes, see you not? and having ears, hear you not? and do you not remember?When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took you up? They say unto him, Twelve”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty of his book, Mark shared how Jesus asked His disciples about “the seven among four thousand” where we read:

And when the seven among four thousand,

how many baskets full of fragments took you up? And they said, Seven.

The verse reads, “And when the seven among four thousand, ...” Mark began with the words, “and when” which means “and at the time and moment” “the seven” which refers to “the seven loaves composed of flour mixed with water and baked” “among four thousand” which means “toward the five thousand men who were in the multitude”. Mark shared how Jesus reminded His disciples of the time He fed “four thousand” people.

The verse continues, “how many baskets full of fragments took you up? And they said, Seven.” Mark added the words, “how many baskets full” which means “what was the number of wicker baskets filled” “of fragments” or “with pieces and remnants of food” “took you up” which means “did Jesus' disciples gather and collect”? “And they said” or “and Jesus' disciples uttered, declared, proclaimed and answered” “seven” which means “seven wicker baskets full”. Mark shared how Jesus questioned His disciples concerning the number of “baskets full of food” they collected after He fed the “four thousand” people to which they answered “Seven”.

When we meditate upon Mark's words in this verse, we see Jesus employ another memory from the past to provoke His disciples to remember who He is and what He has done. This time, He used His feeding of the “four thousand” where the “disciples” gathered “seven baskets” of pieces of food after everyone had eaten. Reminders of the past provision of God give us hope for His provision in the future, and because God loves people so much, He sent His Son Jesus to die for their sins and three days later was resurrected from the grave so they might live with Him forever. Jesus' works among people should show every reader how He will provide for them even after death, and those who are wise will “believe and trust” in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus asks His disciples, “how is it that you do not understand?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".