One of the most curious things Jesus ever did to a person is recorded in the 8th chapter of Mark. Just listen to this scene. “Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, ‘Do you see anything?’” Well, I could read the rest of the story, but you remember, the blind man received his sight. But that’s not the curious part. To me it’s the manner in which this miracle was performed. Jesus led the blind man out of the village, away from the view of others… and then, he spit on his eyes.
I mean, He didn’t use myrrh or frankincense, which were common remedies in those days, no powders or drugs; just common spit. Now what’s curious here is that we naturally associate spit with, well… things that are repugnant and loathsome; or anything but pleasant. We would all agree that spit – actually, to be spit on – is humiliating. Especially when it ends up on you, right?
But this was no ordinary man’s saliva. And perhaps in using this strange method of healing, Jesus had in mind an important lesson – or at least a principle – to teach. I think it shows that God may very well bless you by that very thing you find loathsome. Let me explain. When I was first injured and in the hospital, a well-meaning Christian told me that I should take comfort in God's sovereignty; the fact that He was in control.
Now I felt as though that guy had absolutely no regard for my feelings. I mean, it was awful what he said to me – as though he were spitting on me. I was revolted by the idea that God could have prevented my accident but chose not to. It upset me to think that God allowed it to happen, that it was a part of His plan. Paralysis? Permanent and total? Ugh! How awful!
But in time, I was to discover the healing influence of that marvelous doctrine of God being in control. And what was at one point so repugnant miraculously became my comfort. God healed me down deep on the inside, as surely as though He had spit on my eyes and opened my vision to the marvelous reality of Him working all things together for my good. And so I discovered, it is possible that God will bless you by that very truth – or that very person or that very circumstance or event – that you once despised.
Do you feel betrayed today, or tempted to turn your back on God because of some strange, awful way He has been dealing with you? Well, it could very well be part of His healing process. God may not use the common remedies you see Him employ on others, but in time you will understand. Because the truth is, He wants to make you – He wants to change you – into the spitting image of His Son.
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
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