I believe the story implies that this man possessed spiritual handicaps that far exceeded his ability to see. I see a man who, because of a disability had become distrustful of humanity, constantly suspicious, always cynical; a man who in many ways was forced to be self reliant—a man of his own flesh…a picture of the church perhaps.

We know God does nothing without a purpose, so I suspect Jesus exposed this man’s heart and allowed him to see within himself the barriers that would impede his faith if and when his actual sight was restored.

Jesus may have played on the notion (of the day) that ‘spit’ was thought to have medicinal properties and that it is not medicine that heals the man; it’s not our bodies that heal; it’s not even soulful prayer that heals; it is the God of those things that brings healing.

I believe the church would be best served by adopting the same critical doctrine that Compassion International leans towards and the very ones this story seems to address–the spiritual needs of man are of greater importance than his physical needs. I praise the Lord that the Compassion ministry is doing both; yielding to God’s will to assist the physically and spiritually poor, but with the focus always being on Christ Jesus.

This was not a do-over on the part of Jesus, but it certainly was a make-over.

11For I am yearning to see you, that I may impart and share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen and establish you;

12That is, that we may be mutually strengthened and encouraged and comforted by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

I was amazed at the faith and encouragement I received eventhough I was only there less than a week b/c our plane was delayed, I still remember amazing things as I am typing this!!! One small thing which I thought was amazing was I bought Osmari the child I sponsor a green beach bag with a water bottle holder and also a card with a verse that had a butterfly on it. Although it is easy to find coincidences when you are looking for them I still think this is neat. I was debation whether to buy Osmari a green or orange bag. I was thinking at the store well orange does seem a little more vibrant but green is like the tropical rainforest. Somehow I ended up picking green. So when we got to meet Osmari for the first time I noticed she was wearing a green and white dress so thought…Yes I picked the right color!!! And also on the dress on the white part was a butterfly and on the card I got her was also a butterfly…but what is even so mysterious to me is the butterfly on the card and the dress was nearly identical in terms of what it looked like and this is not extremely suprising b/c if you asked someone to draw a stick person pretty much anywhere in the world the drawing would look about the same. But nonetheless I thought that was AMAZING!!! It was also encouraging to know I picked the correct COLOR of bag hahaha!!! Also the project director of her project seemed somewhat in disbelief to be sitting across from me eating lunch!!! She told me I was the first sponsor to visit from that particular project which I think is correct b/c I kept asking her to try and understand what she was saying. I know everyone wishes they could do so much more, but like a close friend said to me one time “it may take a person who has been mistreated their whole life all the will power in the world not to kick a poor little cat as it walks by, but God sees that!!! And God recognizes that!!! Just like the lady that gave her two pennies which was all she had!!! God sees that!!! Well I have taken up much space again but it is so easy to when you have gotten to visit your sponsor child!!! I am so thankful for all the help and work of Compassion but I think most of all how Compassion has helped me get out of being lazy and given me a swift kick with the spurrs in the side which I I often need like we all know in Hebrews 10:24-25 ” 24And let us consider and give [d]attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities,

25Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.”

I like how Compassion makes it so easy for me to walk in “noble and helpful deeds!!!” Which is how I think the church and as a body of believers we should “incite” each other to Godly, noble, and helpful deeds!!!

Thanks for the post Tim!!! Well things will almost assuredly never be easy, but take heart God has OVERCOME the world and like Wes said one time “we are just one trumpet BLAST away from heaven!!!” Also I don’t think I have even yet to learn the meaning of difficulty and hardship and suffering!!! But I have a lifetime to learn and endure!!!

I Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for YOU!!!”

Mike

‘Course, as one of my former pastors of long ago suggested, the first two sects of the Church were formed from those events: The Mudizers and the Anti-Mudizers.

I am not sure what Jesus’ motivation was but I wonder if He was testing the faith of the blind man. Did He want to see if the man would have the faith for the second half? How many times have I gone away happy with “blurry trees” when God wanted to give me more?