Luther Seminary

A daily devotion brought to you by the alumni of Luther Seminary

Archives for December 3, 2001

Monday, December 3, 2001

Mark 8:22-30 (NRSV)

Read Mark 8:22-30 on biblegateway.com

Verse 22They came to Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him. Verse 23He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and when he had put saliva on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, "Can you see anything?" Verse 24And the man looked up and said, "I can see people, but they look like trees, walking." Verse 25Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he looked intently and his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Verse 26Then he sent him away to his home, saying, "Do not even go into the village." Verse 27Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" Verse 28And they answered him, "John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." Verse 29He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Messiah." Verse 30And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

Devotion

In the process of having his sight restored, the blind man in this story looks at the people around him, and they look like trees walking. Looking again, though, he saw clearly. In his field of vision we can infer that he also saw Jesus. We may not literally see Jesus walking in our midst; but the focus of this season is on the coming Lord. Look! Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.

Prayer

O healing Lord, you make the blind to see and the doubter to believe. Give us the eyes of faith and the assurance of your presence in all walks of life. Amen.