Encounters, Part 6: Holy Spit

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor

Mark 8:22–26
²² They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. ²³ He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”
      ²⁴ He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”
      ²⁵ Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. ²⁶ Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into the village.”

The First Touch (verse 23a)

He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village.

“Environment is the invisible hand that shapes human behavior. We may not always notice it, but our surroundings influence our actions far more than we realize.” – James Clear

The Second Touch (verse 23b–24)

When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”
     He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”

Hebrews 12:1–2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

God can’t fix what you won’t face.

The Third Touch (verse 25)

Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.

Philippians 1:6
He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Small Group Questions

1. What’s one area in your life where you wish you had more clarity?
2. Why do you think Jesus healed the man in stages rather than immediately?
3. Jesus uses spit to heal this man. What tends to be your response when the healing Jesus wants to do in your life is messier than you’d like it to be?
4. The man in this story is honest about what he can and can’t see. What’s one struggle, doubt, or challenge you feel God inviting you to be honest about today?
5. Our story is determined by Jesus’ ability to hold onto us rather than our ability to hold onto him. What does that mean to you and how you live?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?