August 12, 2024
“”He took the blind man by the hand. Then he led him outside the village. He spit on the man’s eyes and placed his hands on him. “Do you see anything?” Jesus asked….Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened so that he could see again. He saw everything clearly.” Mark 8:23 NIRV
As this spiritual battle of the ages, a clash of the kingdoms of Light and darkness ensues, Christians on a global scale seem to be experiencing an increase in demonic attacks on a scale that has never been experienced before. Can you feel an increase in the pressure being placed on us right now? While praying recently, I felt the Holy Spirit begin to speak to me and I believe this is a now word – a battle plan to navigate this spiritual warfare in our present season and see the times and seasons we are in clearly.
The Holy Spirit took me to Mark 8: 23-25 which reads:
23 He took the blind man by the hand. Then he led him outside the village. He spit on the man’s eyes and placed his hands on him. “Do you see anything?” Jesus asked.
24 The man looked up. He said, “I see people. They look like trees walking around.”
25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened so that he could see again. He saw everything clearly. 26 Jesus sent him home. He told him, “Don’t even go into the village.”
In order for this blind man to receive his healing, Jesus partnered with the man and both actively participated in the steps required to reach the intended goal- for the blind man to see clearly.
1.” He took the blind man by the hand. Then he led him outside the village.” First, Jesus had to take the man outside of the village. He drew him away from the noise of everyday life and its distractions. The city’s name was Bethsaida, meaning “House of the Fisherman” or “House of the Hunter.” In both instances these names represent toil, or work. The blind man’s role was to allow himself to be lead outside of the city. Allow the Holy Spirit to draw you into the presence of God today where it is just you and Him.
2. “He spit on the man’s eyes and placed his hands on him.” Jesus did something unconventional and unexpected. This is a season where it is crucial that we do not place God in box built of our own expectations, because He is going to operate very differently from our experience in the past. The blind man could have reacted very differently after having been spit on, but he was partnering with Jesus, and was receptive. Be receptive when Jesus does something unconventional or unexpected.
3.“Do you see anything?” Jesus asked. The man looked up. He said, “I see people. They look like trees walking around.” When Jesus asked the man if he saw anything, the blind man did two things. He looked up and provided an honest response. He didn’t pretend or embellish about what he was seeing. We must look up and fix our eyes on Jesus although the storms may be raging and everything is shaking around us. Also, when Jesus asks you a question, be honest. He knows what’s in your heart anyway. To get your breakthrough you will need to be honest with Him about what you are seeing and feeling.
4. “Then He put His hands on his eyes again; and the man looked intently [that is, fixed his eyes on definite objects]” Jesus was persistent and laid hands on the blind man again. I love the way this Amplified Classic version states verse 25. The blind man’s part was to look with intention. In other words, he set his heart to see clearly, fixing his eyes with the expectation to see. Jesus is persistent in getting the blessings and deliverance we need to our hands. Our responsibility is to activate our faith by looking with intention and expectation for the blessing to come.
5. “..Then his eyes were opened so that he could see again. He saw everything clearly.” The end result was a miracle, and the man who once was blind was able to see everything clearly! Once the man was healed, Jesus admonished him not to return to Bethsaida. The noise and the problems you have been encountering are there to distract you and keep you from receiving all God has for you in this season. We need to see the season and time clearly.
Prayer Focus: Lord Jesus, help me to be intentional to spend time with you, follow Your lead, and keep my eyes on You at this time. I am expecting my miracle and look for it intently today.