Introduction: Verses that I wish were not in the Bible, but they are and I must deal with it.
Background:
• It is very common for man to make multiple attempts to break a record, or to complete a major feat in life. For some of you, it may have take 2,3,4….times before you passed you drivers test. No matter how good our intentions are, it usually takes man longer to accomplish his plans that originally thought possible. Ill: New Bay Bridge in SF just opened after nearly 25 yrs since it was damaged in the bay earthquake; billions of dollars over budget. Freedom tower is set to complete this year with years of delays and double the original price cost. Every contestant stated they would be this years next American Ninja Warrior, only to say they would come back and try again.
• With man, this should not surprise us, but it would seem that Jesus could get the job done every time, on time, instantly, right??
Read Mark 8:22-26
• The difficulty with this passage is that it seems that the cure was not complete and that in some way Jesus missed up in His attempt to heal this man. No other gospel writer includes this miracle, possibly because of is difficulty; but the writer Mark has a particular reason for including this puzzling event in his narration of Jesus’ ministry. Mark was intentional in his collection of content. Mark view this miracle not as a “mistake” but rather as a lesson that Jesus’ disciples are not learning: Lesson: We are saved instantly, but the process of growing in our faith comes gradually.
I. Miracles Always Have a Divine Process.
1. Jesus’ way is the best way. (There is not just one way Jesus’ healed; variety)
• However Jesus chose to heal was the right way for that particular person. Ask the blind man Jesus healed by his
very words. Ask the man covered in leprosy who was healed on his way to see the priest. Ask the lame man who
Jesus healed at the pool. Or the lame man healed after being lowered from the roof. There was no one particular
formula! The key in each healing was the faith of the person who sought healing.
2. Jesus’ time is the best time. (Jesus is never too early or late)
• The people brought this man to Jesus begging him to be touch, and yet Jesus waited to heal him outside the city
limits.
• Ask Jarius’ daughter about the timing of Jesus. While all said Jesus was late, that girl was not too dead for Jesus.
What about Lazarus? What about the feeding of the 5,000 & 4,000; they were not close to a store, yet that did not
limit Jesus.
3. Application: With each miracle recorded in the gospels, Jesus was in perfect step with His Father, and was never at a
place where the situation was outside of His power.
• God does not provide all the time instantly for my needs, and that’s ok!
• God will choose to intervene in His way and in His time for His glory. (Jn 11:4)
II. Miracles Always Validate Divine Provision. (personal touch)
• Jesus gave personal time and attention to this man!
1. Jesus’ personal touch: “Taking the man by the hand…”
• Jesus took the time to personally handle the man’s situation. The leading the man out the city of Bethsaida is very
important. Earlier, this town had rejected Jesus’ miracles and hardened their hearts toward His ministry (Matt.
11:21-24). Jesus could have dismissed the whole situation and left this man blind; but He takes the man outside of
the village in order to touch this man.
• Jesus touched the life of one despite the unbelief of many.
2. Jesus’ personal question: “Do you see anything?”
• Jesus did not have to follow up with any questions. But the question is for both the man and Jesus’
disciples. “Literally, are you satisfied with your sight?”
• The blind man was not content with part one. By his answer we would assume that he had at one time his sight,
but had lost it. He wanted more of Jesus!
3. Jesus’ personal command: “Do not even enter the village”
• It was common for Jesus to give those He healed a command: “Go, and sin no more.” “See that no one knows
about this.” “Get up, take your mat and go home.” “Go to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done
for you…”
• Jesus did not want the man going backing into this village a place of unbelief. This miracle would not change their
hearts about Jesus…but go home and make a difference.
4. Application: Ill: Outpouring, “follow the leader” page 30
• Aren’t you glad that Jesus personally intervenes on our behalf?
• Phil. 1:6 – “he who has begun a good work in you will see it to completion!”
III. Miracles Always Have a Divine Purpose.
1. To change the life of the one sick/afflicted: Mark includes this story to let us hear/see another broken person whose life
is radically changed by Christ. One, in the midst of an unbelieving village was found by Christ.
2. To change the life of the ones who witness the miracle: (especially the disciples)
• Notice what event Mark puts in front and behind this one miracle. In chapter 7, the Pharisees will not accept Christ
even through all the miracles and teaching. This is followed by the disciples not able to understand Jesus’
teaching. In 7:24-30, a Gentile woman has greater faith than those in Israel, even the disciples. Chapter 8 gives us
the feeding of the 4,000 in which the disciples can’t muster of the faith to see who Jesus truly is. In fact it is 8:21 –
where we hear Jesus’ frustration with His disciples by their lack of faith and perception to who His is.
• This miracle will be followed by both Peter’s confession and then is correction of Jesus….which will lead three
disciples to the Mt of Transfiguration to hear the Father command them to hear and obey His Son’s teaching.
• This miracle and the way Jesus handled Himself was a lesson to the disciples not only of Jesus’ power, but to teach
them that following Jesus and being a disciple takes time, it is a process. A lesson to not stop moving forward with
Jesus.
3. Application: It is possible to send time walking with Jesus and yet not truly understand who He is or what He can do
for you.
• All the disciples had in a way been touched by Jesus, but they needed to realize that they were not
seeing it all clearly and needed more of Jesus!
Conclusion: Ill: These truths lived out in the healing of my father. More importantly, in his/our growth as a Christian.
• Jesus never messes up; but He does take messed up lives and begins working in them to make them more like Him. “Please be
patient with me, God is not finished working with me.” We are all works in progress!
• Do you need more of Jesus?
