“Taking the blind man by the hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, ‘Do you see anything?’ And he looked up and said, ‘I see men, for I see them like trees, walking around.’ Then again He laid His hands on his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and began to see everything clearly.” (Mark 8:23-5, NASB)
Jesus’ techniques for healing the sick were always unusual and unexpected. Here we see Him do something He has never done before, He gave a second touch, the extra effort. Jesus, who possessed all of God’s authority, power and ability to perform great miracles, went back and tried again. Jesus did not become frustrated or agitated after His first touch and walk away, leaving the man with partial sight.
Instead, Jesus laid His hands on the man a second time.
I’m drawn to the powerful meaning and teaching in this verse. My mind is flooded with questions and my spirit reels with new insights and revelations. Looking back over my life in similar situations, how many times have I: (1) Walked away after my first attempt? (2) Accepted failure and quit because my first effort produced incomplete or inadequate results? (3) Allowed Satan to hijack me with disappointment, doubt, unbelief, and fear? (4) Caved in, given up or quit, and walked away from my divine destiny? (5) Fallen short and failed to give the extra effort required to change a life forever? I confess that this verse both convicts me and encourages me to copy Jesus’ example. The next time I face a difficult situation and encounter unexpected or undesirable results after my first attempt, I commit to trust God and try again. I will not allow any negative emotions or spiritual warfare to deter me.
Child of God, I encourage you to ask God to reveal any challenge, stronghold or brokenness in your life where you have walked away after your first attempt to overcome seemed to fail. Don’t listen to Satan’s lies and give up so easily. Go back and give God, yourself, and others the extra effort. Be prepared to be amazed as God restores, heals, and works a miracle in your life and the lives of those around you.
Lord, thank You for Jesus’ example of persistence and the importance of extra efforts. Jesus, help me to always remember that it is not over until You say it is over! Give me the grace I need for the extra effort. Through the blood of Jesus and in the name of Jesus I pray, amen.
