Let me share a reading from the Gospel of Mark with you.
" They came to Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and when he had put saliva on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, "Can you see anything?" And the man looked up and said, "I can see people, but they look like trees, walking." Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he looked intently and his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Then he sent him away to his home, saying, "Do not even go into the village."
Brothers.......are we blind to God's presence?
Are we blind to the fullness of the joy available to us in Christ Jesus?
Can we see our own Blindness?
Can we admit our own Blindness?
This night let us be still, ..... to be in peace ..... and let God be God.
The Blind man was brought by friends.
" They came to Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him."
Please ..... trust your friends who have brought you to this place.
These friends care about you and they have experienced the restoration of clear sight on their own Fourth day weekend.
We ask you to trust your friends and all of us over these next few days. (Pause)
Now Jesus took the Blind man and led him aside:
"He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and when he had put saliva on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, "Can you see anything?"
The reason we have come here this weekend ...... is to be with Christ ....... away from the busyness of our world.
Please trust the One concerned with the blind man. Trust Jesus.
The Lord will meet us where we are.
He met the blind man and he did not pressure him. Neither will you be pressured.
The man regained his sight gradually.
" And the man looked up and said, "I can see people, but they look like trees, walking."
This weekend is a process that unfolds step-by-step.
Please reserve your judgment until the end.
No specific responses are required of you.
The blind man could only see partially at first.
The blind man's experience was his own and your experience will be yours alone.
We encourage you to share yourself, your gifts, and your insights. Hold your judgment until the end.
The Second touch:
"Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he looked intently and his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Then he sent him away to his home, saying, "Do not even go into the village."
Jesus stayed with the blind man until his sight was fully restored. Until he could see clearly.
The healing was not one-sided. Just as it involved the presence of Jesus in the faith of the blind man, so it can be for you.
Do not look for a single touch this weekend.
Jesus touched the man a second time, and you too may want to take a fresh look at yourself.
Gentleman ..... This is your opportunity to look at the priorities in your life, what you are living for, and be present with the Lord who is present and accepts you.
Help: I retired in November 2017 and am attempting to supplement my income by sharing on Sermoncentral. If this Message has been helpful to you, please consider a nominal gift: Send to The Rev. Jeff Smead 11725 Regent Park Drive Chardon Ohio 44024. Blessed To Be A Blessing.
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