IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Jesus Helps the Blind to See

Date: Apr. 2, 2016

Passage

Mark 8:14-26  (ESV)

14 Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. 15 And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” 16 And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. 17 And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” 20 “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” 21 And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”

22 And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24 And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” 25 Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 8:18

Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember?

First, do you still not understand? (14-21) After collecting the leftover loaves when Jesus fed the crowd, the disciples forgot to bring them on their trip. So when Jesus warned them to watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and Herod, they became self-conscious about their forgetfulness. Jesus rebuked them, not because they forgot to bring bread, but because they so quickly forgot him. This is our truth as sinners. Jesus is revealed to us, but we don't see, listen or understand. Jesus asked them these questions so that they may overcome their blindness and see his glory in all things.

Second, Jesus heals a blind man (22-26). When some people brought a blind man to Jesus, he took him outside the village. Then he made a poultice to put on the man's eyes. Still the man could only catch a glimpse and did not see completely. Jesus did not give up. He persisted until the man could see clearly. He told the man not to go into the village. His healing was full, and it was very personal-a beautiful illustration of how Jesus brings us to see his glory.

Prayer: Prayer: Lord, I am a sinner who is so often blind to your glory. Thank you for Jesus, who patiently brings me to see clearly.

One Word: Jesus heals our blindness

Daily Bread

God’s Wrath and Justice

Revelation 6:1-17

Key Verse: 6:17

for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

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Intro Daily

Today's Question

What does God require from us to escape His anger and curse, which we deserve for our sin?

See answer and references