“In Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to Jesus and begged him to touch and heal the man. Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then, putting saliva on the man’s eyes, he laid hands on the man and asked, “Can you see anything now?”
The man looked around. “Yes,” he said, “I see people, but not very clearly. They look like walking trees.”
So, Jesus placed his hands on the man’s eyes again, and the man’s eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly. Then Jesus sent him home, saying, “Do not return to the village on your way.”
Mark 8:22-26
Notes for Contemplation as You Use this Devotional:
- This story, sometimes called, “A Blind Man Healed,” is told only by the Gospel Writer called Mark.
- Some Bible interpreters suggest that Jesus’s power is deficient because he doesn’t heal the man immediately. But nothing is lacking in either Jesus or the man. Rather, the man’s healing — or transformation — and ours isn’t only about the one who helps us. We must be active, engaged participants in our transformation.
- Note also that this story describes the transformation in two stages. First, the man regains partial vision. The second time, his sight is fully restored. This is a reminder to remain faithful and trust the process, even when we don’t experience immediate results.
- In addition, Jesus supports the man’s transformation by removing him from the place, the village, where he cannot see. And the man goes with Jesus willingly. Once the man is healed, Jesus discourages him from going back the way he came. But the man still can choose which way to go.
- In her book, Open Your Mind and Be Healed, Rev. Dr. Johnnie Colemon, teaches that we, as spiritual beings, can look to our indwelling divinity, the Presence of God within us, to realize our transformation. She says that no matter what our situation, we can view its “diagnosis as an opportunity to exercise our divinity.”
- Exercising our divinity means embracing the Presence of God with us, within us, and all around us.
Contemplation Questions:
Ask yourself:
- When I reflect on my life now, what do I want to heal or transform?
- Without analysis or judgment, list, word map, or illustrate everything which applies.
- As I reflect on everything I want to heal or transform, what have I been expecting others to do for me?
- List, word map, or illustrate whatever applies.
- Then, note specifics about how you may be passive or relinquishing your own power.
- As I reflect on everything I want to heal or transform, what am I willing to do for myself?
- List, word map, or illustrate everything you’re willing to do, no matter how simple or challenging it might seem.
- What is my “village”?
- Note whatever it is.
- List, word map, or illustrate whatever you can do to leave or avoid that “village” so you can move beyond it.
- In what ways do I imagine exercising my divinity to realize my healing or transformation?
- List, word map, or illustrate all the ways you can imagine.
- As I continue to reflect, what steps do I imagine are part of my process?
- List, word map, or illustrate as much as you can imagine.
- Then, note what the next possible steps may be, numbering them as 1, 2, 3, etc., as you discern your best route beyond the village.
Work with this devotional continually as your transformation unfolds. Remember, as you do, that our divinity is our God Essence, and we live and flourish from that Essence because we are God’s Beloveds. Yet, God can only do for us what we’re willing to let God do through us. So, rather than wonder how your transformation will occur, trust the way beyond the village and go ahead with assurance and confidence.
© 2021 – Rev. Jennifer L. Sacks – All rights reserved.
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