People Power

Mark 8:^22-23 “When they arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and they begged him to touch the man and heal him. Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village… he laid his hands on him…” (emphasis added).

The first thing that stands out to us in Mark 8:22-26 (please read) is that restoration is to where God intends for us to be. The second thing that stands out is that a group of people brought this man to Jesus. And this is very powerful because the man was blind, but he had people. If you have a challenge, it is okay because everybody has challenges. But if you don’t have people, that is where the problem is. This man was blind, but he had people who cared about him, and it shows the power of community. If you have sight and you don’t have people, you are in trouble. But if you don’t have sight and you have people, you will get sight.

The people will help you to get sight by being your guide until you get to a situation where you get sight. When you get to that situation, embrace it with all your heart. That situation has come upon you even now, so embrace it with all your heart. Community is so powerful because none of us is as strong as all of us. No matter how strong you are, you are not as strong as all of us combined. None of us is as anointed as all of us. No matter how anointed you are, you are not as anointed as all of us combined. None of us is as wise as all of us. You may be wise, but you are still not as wise as all of us combined. None of us is as strong as all of us. People brought this man to Jesus. The question is, who are you bringing to Jesus?

Who has come to Jesus on your account? Look around, who can you say is standing in God today because of your invitation or your persistence? Who is still with God today because you did not let go? Interestingly, we are quick to recognize and admit that we need people. However, what we need to realize is that we need to be exactly that for others as well. Who are you bringing to Jesus? This is a question that you need to think about, ruminate on. Another thing that stands out to us from this story is a personal encounter with Jesus. Jesus brought the blind man to Himself, touched him, took him by hand and led him outside the village.

He had a personal encounter with Jesus. The truth is that others may help you get to Jesus, but you have to encounter Jesus for yourself. Others may bring you to God, but you have to seek God out and encounter God for yourself. It is easy, particularly where the Community is strong, to get lost in the crowd. It is easy, when you have people around you who are following Jesus, to assume that you are also following Jesus. It does not work like that. You have to seek, embrace, reach out to, and desire Jesus for yourself.

Prayer: Father, as I walk with You, help me to do more for You, in Jesus Name. Amen!