This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, August 12, 2007, and was taken from Mark 8:22-26.
His ways are not my ways and his thoughts are not my thoughts (Isaiah 55:8,9).
Jesus doesn’t always do things the way we expect. Jesus doesn’t fit well in a box, regardless of the shape or size of the box. Maybe a good thing for us to do is stop and stand amazed in his presence. Maybe we should stand in amazement by his wisdom, compassion, and grace. Then maybe we would be in a better position to understand what Jesus would do.
The miracle described in our text today is found only in Mark’s gospel, and is the only account of a “gradual” healing. Even though this account seems insignificant, and similar to other healings, there is still something to be learned from it:
- Our lord graciously meets the hurting at the point of their need and at the level of their understanding. The faith of this group is exemplary, but somewhat superstitious. The man healed doesn’t appear to have any faith at all.
- Our lord mercifully draws us from faith to faith. Where was this man’s faith when this all began? He didn’t have any. As Jesus leads him out of the village, the man is learning to trust Jesus. With Jesus, healing is never the great work. In this gradual healing, Jesus is also building the man’s faith.
- Our Lord overwhelms us with blessings beyond our expectations. He did more for this man than he, or his friends, ever dreamed of.
Look at the parallels in this passage and in Jesus giving spiritual life to the spiritually dead. Our only response should be “To God be the glory.”