This is the story of Caleb. After 40 years in the wilderness. It was only Joshua and Caleb who entered the Promised Land from the old generation. They are both faithful men who overcome many obstacles to please God and fulfill destiny. Caleb is a true role model of faith, one who is more than an overcomer. He is mentioned six times in Scripture that he “wholly followed the LORD”. When all God’s people disobeyed God, and refuse to enter the Promised Land, this is what God said: “But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it” (Nu14:24). God calls Caleb “My Servant”. Caleb has a close relationship with God, being humble, faithful and dedicated to God. Amid a crooked generation, Caleb has “a different spirit”. It was a lifestyle of spirituality, love, faith, patience, strength and courage. He followed God “fully”, without fear or doubt. He loved God with all his heart, mind, and soul. He is an example to all believers in Christ. God promised that Caleb will enter the Promised Land and occupy the mountain he stepped on at the beginning. His descendants will inherit it. Eventually, being 85 years old, Caleb conquered the giants and took over the great city of Hebron, as God has promised him. His faith led him to his inheritance! The city of Hebron was the first capital of Isreal before it moved to Jerusalem. Glory!
Caleb was born as a slave in Egypt. His name means Bold or Dog. Caleb is “the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite”. The Kenizzites were not Jews. They descended from Esau. That is why the Jews may have called Caleb “Dog”. It seems that the Kenizzites went to Egypt before the Exodus and joined the tribe of Judah. They shared in their slavery. They eventually became assimilated into the tribe of Judah. Lesson: Caleb overcame a very difficult background. From the hated Esau, his family became a part of the tribe of Judah, meaning Praise, from whom Jesus came as a Man. He also overcame the slave mentality to become a free man, a champion. Caleb married a Jewish woman called Azubah and they had three sons. Caleb was a family man. In Christ, we are redeemed from the slavery of sin to be under Grace.
God’s people arrived at the Kadesh Barnea, by the border of the Promised Land. God used Moses to command His people to cross over “Look, the Lord your God has set the land before you; go up and possess it, as the Lord God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be discouraged” (Deut 1:21). But the people became afraid, doubted God’s Word and refused to enter. They asked Moses to send spies to see the land and bring them a report. The sending of the spies to the Promised Land was a sign of unbelief. Moses appointed 12 spies: one from each tribe. Caleb represented the tribe of Judah. Joshua represented the tribe of Ephraim. After 40 days, the spies came back carrying fruits from the land. Ten spies brought a negative report. They said that the land is good but that they cannot overcome the giants. But Joshua and Caleb brought a good report of faith. “Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it” (Nu 13:30). All the people believed the negative report and started weeping. They planned to go back to Egypt and stone Moses, Joshua and Caleb to death. God became angry. He punished His people. He sent them back to the wilderness for the next 40 years until all of them die there. Only Joshua and Caleb will possess the land (Nu 14:26-30). Amid doubt, fear, discouragement, grumbling and rebellion, Caleb kept his faith. The rebellious men wanted to go back. They only saw giants. But Caleb wanted to go forward. By faith, he only saw opportunities. He walked by faith and not by sight!
Please think of the price of rebellion: 600,000 men beside women and children left Egypt (Exo 12:37). Except for Joshua and Caleb, all these men died in the wilderness. There are 14,610 days in 40 years. That makes about 41 burials every day!!! Joshua and Caleb suffered in the wilderness even though they were obedient to God. They had to endure the grumbling of others, and the daily burials. As supporters of Moses, they had to endure the opposition of Moses’ enemies. As a man of faith, Caleb had to endure the unbelief of the foolish people who refused to learn from their mistakes. How did he keep his faith? Although his body was in the wilderness, so to speak, his heart and mind and soul were in Canaan. Caleb knew that regardless of the circumstances in the wilderness, he will enter and take over the inheritance God has promised him. He was free from the fear death. His attention was focused forward, on the promised inheritance to come. Caleb trusted that God would not fail him. Caleb was like Apostle Paul: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col 3:1,2).
Lesson: we sometimes must suffer for the sins of others, but God does not forget us. At 85, Caleb is asking Joshua to give him the mountain he stepped on 45 years ago, when he spied on the land. He was still strong both in faith and in his body (Josh 14:6-15; 15:13-19). By faith, Caleb fought and overcame the giants on his land. Lesson: unbelief looks at the giants. Faith looks at God and defeats the giants. By faith, Caleb overcame the natural weakness of body and mind that comes with old age. Othniel, Caleb’s nephew and son in law becomes the first judge in Isreal. He carries on the family legacy of faith and courage (Judg 3:7-11). Our walk of faith inspires others to trust God!
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1Jn 5:4,5). Caleb is a type of a believer in Christ who is more than an overcomer. He was redeemed by the blood of the Passover lamb. By faith, he overcame his family background, his old life in the world when he was a slave in Egypt, the doubt of the people in the wilderness, and the weakness of old age. By faith, he obtained an inheritance for himself and for his descendants. Lesson: Spiritual age is always much more important than chronological age and we have no excuse for not serving God. The overcomers inherit God’s promises!
The resurrected Christ said: “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Rev 21:6-8). Worship the Lord!
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest miracle and the most important event in the history of the world. The Resurrection was a literal, physical raising of Jesus’ body from the dead. No man witnessed this mighty miracle. The stone was rolled away by the angel, not to let Jesus out, because in His spiritual body, He could pass thru walls. The stone was rolled away for men to see the empty tomb. The Resurrection of Jesus is not just an event. It is foundational to the Christian faith. Without the resurrection, faith in God’s saving grace thru Christ is destroyed. Apostle Paul said: “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith” (1Cor 15:14; NIV). In other words, if Christ is not risen, then go home! Christianity is nothing. If the body of Jesus is still in the grave, then death has won. Sin has won. Without the resurrection, the gospel message loses its power and purpose, reducing it to mere philosophy or moral teaching. The early church’s rapid growth and the willingness of the apostles to suffer persecution and martyrdom shows their conviction in the truth of the resurrection. The preaching of the resurrection is what distinguishes Christianity from other religions and philosophies. Believers are called to live in the power of resurrection, experiencing victory over sin and hope in eternal life! That is why we preach the Gospel!
When Jesus rose from the dead, He confirmed His identity as the Son of God and His work of redemption, reconciliation, and salvation. The devil fought the fact of the Resurrection of Jesus immediately it happened. The soldiers that guarded the tomb were bribed by the Pharisees to say that the disciples stole Jesus’ body. Some say that Jesus did not really die. He only fainted on the Cross. Some men claimed that they found the bones of Jesus in a tomb in Jerusalem. These are all false news propagated by the devil’s agents.
The spiritual body is incorruptible (cannot decay or disappear), glorious, powerful, heavenly and filled (to overflow) with eternal life (1 Cor 15:42-49). Spiritually speaking, the resurrection has been experienced by all true believers. It produces the greatest transformation in a man. By Faith in Jesus Christ, the sinner becomes a saint. This means death to the old life and entering eternal life. This translation from darkness of sin to the light of the Kingdom of God, to become born-again, it is by the power of resurrection. We sometimes think that when Jesus resurrected, He just came back to His life as it was before death. That is not true. He revealed Himself to His disciples so that they know He is alive again. But He did not continue with them like before. After forty days He ascended to heaven. That where His spiritual body belongs. There is a great difference between resuscitation and resurrection. Lazarus was brought back to ordinary physical life. He was resuscitated, but he wasn’t really resurrected. Sometime later, he died again. But the radical transformation in resurrection is from death to eternal life!!! Selah! The same power that raised Jesus from the dead works in the believers, to transform their lives to be like Jesus! Glory!
Jesus spoke about His death and resurrection. He said: “I am the Resurrection and the Life,” (Jn 11:25; NIV) and “before Abraham was born, I AM.” (Jn 8:58; NIV). These words seem to be the words of a crazy man. The only other option is that Jesus is indeed The Lord. “He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again” (Mk 8:31). The disciples did not understand what He was saying. It was only after the Cross, Resurrection and Pentecost, they finally understood that Jesus was truly the Savior who came to die for them.
The Resurrection of Jesus changed the day of worship. Jesus was crucified on Friday the 1st day (Passover). The 2nd day was Saturday, the Sabbath. The 3rd day was Sunday. He rose again on the 3rd day. The early church started to worship God on Sundays, to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Lord! Selah!
What did the resurrection of Jesus prove to us?
*The Resurrection of Jesus proves that God is Omnipotent. It shows the immense power of God. God created all things. He alone can destroy death and bring Jesus out from the grave. If God could not resurrect Jesus, then He is not worthy of our worship. But He indeed raised Jesus from the dead. “Christ was raised from the dead through the glory and power of the Father” (Rom 6:4; AMP). Glory to God!
*The Resurrection of Jesus proved that Jesus is indeed who He said He is. Jesus is a Man. But not only a Man. He is the Son of God. He is God Himself. Apostle Paul said this: “Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Rom 1:3,4). What happened to Jesus in the Resurrection? His body and His spirit were reunited, so that He became alive again. That did happen. But there was more: He moved from one stage of His ministry to another, from humiliation to exaltation, from shame to glory! He was raised from the dead and ascended into heaven, where He is seated on the throne of God. By His resurrection, Jesus is now invested with absolute royal power and authority. He is the King of kings. After His resurrection, Jesus could stand on a hill in Galilee and declare, “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (Matt 28:18; AMP).
*The Resurrection of Jesus proved that God the Father has accepted the work of Jesus on earth. God the Father has designed the plan of salvation. God the Son volunteered to perform it on earth. The Holy Spirit applies this revelation to us. What is the major work Jesus did for God the Father? Christ has perfectly obeyed God’s Law!!! Seah! Jesus said: “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill” (Matt 5:17). “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Rom 10:4). Resurrection is the divine seal that God the Father is satisfied and has approved the sacrifice of Jesus on behalf of sinners. God tells the whole world that His Son has done exactly what He sent Him to do. The plan of salvation by Grace alone is now activated! Praise the Lord!
Since Adam fell, all men are born sinners and lawbreakers. God’s Law was given not to save us, because no sinner can perfectly obey God’s Law. The Law was given so that we know God, what He likes and what He hates. It was also given to show us what sin is, for us to see the terrible power of sin. Finally, the Law was given to direct us to Christ, who is the end of the Law. “O, Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Cor 15:55-57). The sting of death is sin. If we were not sinners, we would not be afraid to die. Jesus was not afraid to die. Sin is defined and given power because of God’s Law. If God’s law did not say: do not steal, we could not have known that stealing is sin. In Adam, we are all born lawbreakers, sinners. We are afraid to die because we are sinners. We know that after death it is the judgment. No man could perfectly obey God’s Law. But Jesus obeyed the Law perfectly on our behalf. Jesus obeyed the Law in two ways: He obeyed the Law actively. He did not break any of God’s commandments. Love was His only Law. He also obeyed God’s Law passively. God’s Word says that “the wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23). When Jesus took our sins upon Himself, He had to die. He obeyed God’s Law passively, as a lamb led to the slaughter. Actively, and passively, Jesus perfectly obeyed God’s Law. He “fulfilled” or satisfied the Law. The Law cannot argue against us again. If Jesus did not resurrect, it means that our sins were too heavy for Him and He is still in the grave because of that. If Jesus did not resurrect, we are condemned in our sins and have no hope of heaven. But as believers, we become one with Christ, and God sees us as we have obeyed the Law. We now have eternal life. Immediately, we lose the fear of death, judgment and hell. Spiritually, we are raised with Jesus in heavenly places. We praise God forever!
*The resurrection of Jesus proves that our Lord has conquered all His enemies. By the resurrection, God has declared that Jesus Christ is His Son. God now fights all the enemies Jesus has made as Man on earth: sin, death and the devil. Peter preached at Pentecost: “God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). He had those titles before. It is not that He became God, for He was God before that. But, because He was obedient unto death, God the Father granted Him the fulfillment of the promise, saying: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet” (Ps 110:1). That enthronement scene and the punishment of Jesus’ enemies began in Jesus’ resurrection from the dead! In Christ, we too have conquered all our enemies. Who are these? Our mortal enemies are the Flesh (sin), the World, and the Devil. Since Adam, every man has been defeated by these three terrible enemies. The Flesh weakens our will. Even with all our good intentions, we cannot please God. With all the voices of unbelief, the world pollutes our spirit and corrupts our faith. The devil attacks our bodies, souls and spirits. No man escapes his ugly grip of darkness. Jesus walked in this same world of sin but never allowed the flesh to control Him. Jesus overcame the world. At the Cross, Jesus exposed the devil as a criminal, a hater of God and of all men. The resurrection of Jesus proves that in Christ, we have victory against all our enemies. Halleluiah!
*The resurrection of Jesus proves that He has defeated even Death itself. He is the King of kings, The Lord of lords, The Great High Priest, and Eternal Intercessor for all believers. He is our Leader even thru death. Jesus is the Best Helper and Friend we can ever have. “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” (Heb 2:14-18). Jesus is now God and Man in heaven. By the Holy Spirit He helps believers to run the race to the end. His ministry of intercession gives us the assurance of salvation. We can pray to Him. We are never alone. Jesus is our Helper forever. All power and authority have been given to Jesus. God gave the world to Jesus. It is His own. He rules and He reigns forever. Glory to God!
*The resurrection of Jesus gives Christians a living hope that after death, they will go to heaven and worship God forever. “According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1Pet 1:3-4). Hallelujah!
*The Resurrection of Jesus proves that Jesus will come back again to finally judge all evil and resurrect the bodies of the saints. Apostle Paul was telling the philosophers in Athens: “He (God) has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:31).
*The Resurrection of Jesus proves that God has sent His Holy Spirit in the name of His Son, to all believers. At Pentecost, Peter preached: “This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear” (Ac 2:32,33).
How does the resurrection of Jesus help me? Jesus proved that our sin and death could not hold Him in the grave. As we believe in this, we too “die and rise” again in this life. Jesus transforms us by the Holy Spirit, giving us life, hope, power, joy, and godliness. We look more like Him every day. The very power that raised Jesus from the dead is available for those who believe. Apostle Paul prayed that we may know “what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come” (Eph 1:17-21).
Weaknesses are often experienced as limitations, vulnerability, or emotional struggles. These physical or emotional limitations can serve a deeper purpose. “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.” (2 Cor 12:9). Living with weaknesses, whether physical infirmities, emotional distress, or spiritual struggles, creates opportunities for experiencing a strength rooted in something greater than ourselves. David was a young inexperienced shepherd, much smaller in stature than Goliath. But he defeated the giant, not by his own strength, but by God’s. God’s power is beyond human understanding. It is revealed especially thru Creation, miracles (the parting of the Red Sea or the falling of Jericho) and the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. God’s power is directed towards us, the believers. God wants us to receive this power and apply it in our spiritual growth. This power is not earned. It is a gift of God’s Grace. God gives strength to the weak, to the faithful who wait upon Him to give them strength (Isa 40:29-31). “That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead” (Philip 3:10-11). God’s power manifests as serving God, praying for others, preaching the Gospel. Pray for this power! Humble yourself! Acknowledge your weaknesses. Faith in God is the key to appropriate God’s surpassing power. “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” (Philip 4:13). Trust that God will give you the power of Resurrection that raised Jesus from the dead. “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor 12:10). It is the testimony of many believers that God gave them power when they were weak, and they had faith in God. Jesus is now in heaven! He is also in our hearts! “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow!” Worship the Lord!
THE POWER OF RESURRECTION MANIFESTS AS JOYFUL PRAISE IN THE MIDST OF SUFFERING
“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them” (Ac 16:25). Paul and Silas were beaten for doing good. At midnight they were in prison singing. Grumbling quenches the miracle. We are commanded to rejoice and praise no matter the situation. That joyful praise comes from the power of resurrection. The jailer was saved, physically and spiritually. They loved the jailer by agape Love and through the power of resurrection. Worship the Lord!
“He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him and begged Him to touch him. So, He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything. 24 And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.” 25 Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. Then He sent him away to his house, saying, “Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town” (Mk 8:22-26).
Jesus did many miracles. Miracles are defined as supernatural acts of God. They generally manifest instantly. The healing of the blind man in Bethsaida is the only miracle done by Jesus that happened in two steps. We know that Jesus could do instant miracles. Why did He do this one gradually? We may not know all the answers, but we can study God’s Word to find some. The first thing we must say is that Jesus did not “fail” to do the miracle. Jesus always talks and does things with the full authority of the Son of God. There was another incident when the healing was delayed. Jesus commanded the demons to leave the possessed man, but they did not leave immediately. A discussion followed. They eventually left. The demons that left the man were able to drown 2000 pigs. Here we see the power of the devil. The victory of Jesus over such a great enemy shine even brighter (Mark 5:1-13).
Before Jesus healed him, He “took the man by the hand and led him out of the town”. This is important! The town is called Bethsaida. It was located on the north side of the Sea of Galilee. It was the hometown of Philip, Peter and Andrew. The name means “The house of fishing”. Most inhabitants were fishers. It was a prosperous area. Later, Jesus rebuked and cursed the town of Bethsaida because the people there were proud. They witnessed and benefited from the miracles of Jesus but still refused to repent of unbelief (Matt 11:20-22). Miracles were signposts to direct people to Jesus and to His glory. But these people rejected the Person of Jesus, as the Son of God and the only Savior of men. Jesus was rejected even in Nazareth, the town where He grew up. The people were offended at Him because of His supernatural wisdom and power. We are not told that Jesus could not do miracles, but that “He did not do mighty works there because of their unbelief” (Matt13:58). In this case, some men brought a blind man to Jesus. They had faith that Jesus can heal their friend. Blindness was seen as a curse from God. They believed that Jesus was the Son of God and He can remove the curse from this man. Jesus spat on the blind eyes, and He lay His hand of him. The man’s sight was restored but his vision was not clear. Then Jesus lay His hands on the man’s eyes again. This second touch restored the man’s sight to perfect vision. Then Jesus told the man not to go back to the town of Bethsaida.
Lessons:
*Physical blindness is a symbol of spiritual blindness. Jesus can heal both. The healing can happen instantly or gradually.
*The people who brought the blind man to Jesus, had faith in Jesus. Intercession is powerful!
*Jesus takes you by your hand on a journey. This is personal intimate love. Let Jesus lead you on. Faith is a journey! Faith grows! The two-step miracle shows that spiritual understanding and faith can be gradual. Be patient with God’s timing and your growing faith.
*For Jesus to take the blind man away from this town of proud and stubborn people, it means that environment can affect our faith. Be careful with the people whom you call friends. If they are unbelievers, they can quench your faith. “Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits” (1Cor 15:33). Be careful with the influence you come under, even social media. Unbelief damages your faith in Jesus!
*Just as the blind man’s sight was restored in stages, our spiritual understanding grows gradually. Be patient! Trust in the process, even when you don’t fully understand. Jesus’ ways are perfect, and He knows the best way to reveal Himself to us. This is the first step in the miracle. He transitions from blindness to sight. What he sees is real but not clear yet. The healing required a second touch from Jesus. You need persistent faith! Don’t give up even when answers to prayer are not immediate.
*When you meet God, and He blesses you, be careful. Be grateful! Worship God! Acknowledge God as the author of your blessing. It is a terrible thing to harden your heart against the Holy Spirit. Unbelief and hardness of heart may make you lose your blessing.
*Jesus asked the man: do you see anything? You must confess and cooperate with the process of faith and confession of miracles.
*Then Jesus spat the man in his eyes. Jesus humiliated him before healing him. Spitting on someone is shameful. It is humiliating. Spitting is a symbol of the Cross. People spat on Jesus. “Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?” (Matt 26:67,68). There is shame at the Cross.
*True exaltation comes after humility and obedience. After the Cross, there is the Crown! “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb 12:2). We need to exercise discipline. Look away from distractions and focus on Jesus, who is the best example of faithfulness and humility. Jesus is the Author, the initiator of Faith and the Finisher, the perfector of Faith in the believers. Every work Jesus starts in you, shall complete it to perfection (Phil 1:6). He brings mustard seed faith to maturity. Jesus endured the cross because of the Joy He saw ahead. He saw that His pain was not in vain. His sacrifice will save many. We too must have a vision of glory ahead so that we can successfully endure the trials on earth. The cross was not only painful. It was also shameful. Jesus despised the shame of the Cross. To despise means to look down upon, to disrespect. Jesus disrespected the worldly fame. He chose God’s approval over worldly honor. After His ascension, Jesus sat at the right hand of God, successfully completing the plan of salvation and has received all authority over creation.
*After the second touch, the man saw everything clearly. In Greek the word means to see details and at a distance. Spiritually, this is a transition from seeing in the flesh, from confusion, to having spiritual insight, revelation of God’s Word.
*Jesus tells the man to go to his own house. This shows that healing is to be shared with family and friends. Jesus tells the man not to go back to Bethsaida, an environment of pride and unbelief, that can make a man lose his blessings!
Jesus did not heal the same way twice. We cannot tell Jesus how to heal. We cannot predict Jesus! But one thing is clear, you need faith to receive a miracle. Often, to grant you the miracle, Jesus will separate you from family, friends, and from the crowd. Miracles are not for public entertainment. Be ready to be alone with Jesus to be blessed by Jesus. In the case of Jairus daughter Jesus sent away the mourners before He did the miracle (Mk 5:35-43). In another case, Jesus spat on a man’s tongue and separated him from the multitude (Mk7:31-35).
Faith in Christ crucified and resurrected is necessary to save and to heal. If you take your Cross daily, you will be healed. The power of God is the same but not everyone is healed in the same way. Sometimes we need emotional healing before physical healing. Be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit as He prepares you to receive your miracles. There are gradual healings and there are gradual conversions. God may grant healing to you in strange ways. If you want a miracle, you need to humble yourself. You can’t understand all the ways of God. You must trust Jesus, even when you don’t understand Him. Miracles are signs that show the glory of Jesus (Jn 2:11).
Before Jesus healed the blind man, He had a discussion with His disciples. Even after witnessing the miracles, they were still doubting Jesus. They were still thinking and acting in the flesh. “But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? 18 Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember?” (Mark 8:17,18). Jesus never did anything without a good purpose. His miracles are signs of His glory and power and used to teach His disciples the ways of God. When the blind man was healed initially, he saw things, but it was not clear. He was a symbol of the disciples who had eyes but did not see. Jesus was telling the disciples that He will suffer, die and on the third day, He will rise from the grave. He was telling them that there is a price to pay if they want to follow Him. Apparently, they did not understand the Person and the mission of Jesus. They did not understand their part to play in following the Master. They do not see the need for Jesus to die for them. They were spiritually near-sighted. They needed a second touch from Jesus, to see His glory as Savior and Lord. Lesson: The process of spiritual or physical healing may come immediately or gradually. We must trust Jesus always!
The quote “Focus on the step in front of you, and not on the whole staircase” (Martin Luther King Jr.) reminds us to break down large, intimidating goals into smaller, manageable actions. It encourages us to stay present, embrace the process, and make steady progress rather than becoming overwhelmed by the big picture. Focusing on the next step allows us to build momentum, overcome fear, and cultivate endurance, ultimately making it easier to reach our larger goals. By taking life one step at a time, we avoid unnecessary stress and increase our chances of success, all the while, enjoying the journey itself.
Sometimes, when I am faced with a challenge, I can’t go directly to solve the problem. I need to pray for wisdom (James 1:5). That is the first step. I go to the Bible. God gives me wisdom about the problem. As I apply wisdom, the healing happens. This is also a two-step miracle. Other times God uses circumstances or brethren to speak to me. As I take their counsel as the first step of faith, not knowing the whole story, light comes and leads the way to the miracle ahead. This is my advice: pray for wisdom! Pray that God opens your eyes to see the next step! Pray for the faith to take the next step! Pray for a second touch from Jesus! Let us join the healed blind man saying: “Wow! I see!!! I see clearly! I see afar!” Worship the Lord!
The word ‘ungodly’ means to be irreligious, or living as God does not exist. It means to either deny or disobey God in your life. The ungodly man may call himself a Christian, attends church, but God is not in the center of his heart, mind and will. The Bible calls ungodliness sin. A relationship can degenerate and become ungodly. An ungodly marriage may look good but is corrupted inside. It’s a dangerous soul-tie, overfamiliar, and sinful relationship. In the Bible, an unbeliever is called ungodly. But it is possible for a believer to behave like an ungodly. You still go to church, pray, read the Bible, but in your daily life, you live like there is no God. This evil spirit of ungodliness can influence your marriages and other relationships. God is angry with the ungodly and punishes them.
“For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:4). “And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), 5 to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you” (Gal 2:4,5). Here we see the danger of ungodly infiltration in the churches or in the homes. These ungodly men have crept in unnoticed. They entered secretly, like snakes. They pretend to be born again but they are not. They look innocent, but they are spiritual spies and cause much damage from inside. They bring false doctrines or sinful ideas to influence the minds of immature believers and to control their decisions. Their aim is to study the liberty and love we have and to bring us into the bondage of sin. They turn the doctrine of justification by Grace and by Faith into a license to sin. They are Satan’s agents. In a prayerful church, they will not go far. The Holy Spirit will expose them. They will either repent or run.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Rom 1:18). Ungodliness means choosing to deny or ignore God. Unrighteousness means active wickedness and evil. These sinful men “suppress truth”. Truth means the knowledge of God revealed in Creation, in man’s conscience, and especially in the Bible. The suppression or quenching of truth is a willful act. It is not done in ignorance. “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (Jn 3:19). Selah!
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night” (Ps 1:1,2).
The Bible revealed that there are two groups of people in this world: The Godly (saved) and the Ungodly (unsaved). It is possible to be a believer, and you still listen to the counsel of the ungodly. That ungodly counsel will corrupt your character and testimony and damage your marriage. The word “blessed” means the happiness, the spiritual and material prosperity of a godly man. He puts God at the center of everything he plans and does. “To walk” means a way of life. The counsel of the ungodly is the advice to disobey God’s commandments, to forget God in your decisions. This is the reckless and dangerous path of the wicked and ungodly men. Without repentance, sin becomes worse. The first level is to listen to the counsel of the ungodly. The second step is to enter and stand in the path of sinners. This is a decision and an action. Sin has now become a habit, a lifestyle. To sit in the seat of the scornful shows a settled situation. The backslider has found his place among those who reject God and the Bible. They not only hate God, but they mock the believers who try to follow Jesus.
“Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil. 15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on. 16 For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall. 17 For they eat the bread of wickedness And drink the wine of violence” (PV 4:14-17). To live a godly life is a choice. There is a price to pay. To die to sin and reject evil is a daily choice. The believer obeys God’s Word and encourages others to do so. He does spiritual warfare against all evil. He is not careless with his testimony. He is committed to obey God’s Word. This is a warning about the company we keep. Your choice of friends, mentors, pastors, counsellors, is a mirror of your character. Be wise when making friends.
“Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits” (1Cor 15:33). This is a warning against deception. False teachers can deceive you with false doctrines and ungodly counsel. God cannot be deceived. But we can be deceived. Be vigilant about the influences you allow into your life, whether friendships, media, or other sources. Protect your heart. Seek friends that align with biblical values and encourage spiritual growth. “He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed” (PV 13:20). In the Bible, godly wisdom is a great achievement. Wisdom can be thought and can also be caught, as we walk closer to godly wise men. Elijah and Elisha, Paul and Timothy, these are godly relationships between mentors and students. Making friends with fools is dangerous. A fool is not only someone who is mentally incapable, but a man who rejects God’s Word. Following fools leads to spiritual and physical destruction.
Below are some examples of bad, ungodly relationships and marriages. God punished all of them. They died untimely and shameful death.
*Zimri (a Jew) and Cozbi (a Moabites) (Numbers 25). Phineas was zealous for the Lord and killed this ungodly couple. God blessed him!
*King Ahab and Jezebel – “But there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the LORD, because Jezebel his wife stirred him up” (1Kg 21:25). Revelation 2:18-29.
*Annanias and Saphira (Acts 5:1-11). Their sin was that they tried to deceive the Church pretending to be better than they are.
Ungodly relationships do not give glory to God. Both partners are selfish and wicked, helping one another to sin. The wife submits unto her husband as unto the devil. The husband loves his wife as devil loves sin. These are some ways you can detect if your marriage is ungodly:
*All major decisions are done by themselves and not by asking God to approve of lead. They decide to buy things, travel, how to spend money, how to spend their vacations etc, based on the time or the amount of money they have. In a godly relationship, major decisions are done with fasting, prayer, and waiting on God. Sometimes, telling a wise spiritual leader is necessary for confirmation.
*Your conversation is only about worldly things, material things, money, children etc. God’s Word is not the center of your conversations
*The husband and wife are careless with their relationship and with every work they do. Working without commitment is sin. Jesus is your Master only if you work with all your heart. “Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve” (Col 3:23,24; AMP).
What is the solution? Repent and come back to Jesus! Remember that “when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Rom 5:6). Fast and Pray! “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh” (Jude 1:20-23).
Consider what Christ could have done for the Church instead of laying down his life: He could have subjected us to criticism – churches are full of things to criticize. He could have pointed out our weaknesses, which are many. Or He could have outright condemned us – rightly dismissed us as an unworthy bride. But when Christ looks at us, the Church, He has only praise, commendation and encouragement. He never condemns us! He never accuses us. We are very weak and have many problems. We sin daily, but He never criticizes us. Some of you may say: but God hates sin. Yes! But when we the believers fall into sin, Jesus is our advocate in heaven. When He looks at us now, He does not see sinners or troublemakers. He sees His brothers and sisters, whom He carries to heaven on eagles’ wings. This is how Christ loves us. Not only that He died for our sins, but He has removed every condemnation, shame or guilt. This is how the husbands should love their wives. Embrace your wives, problems and all. Be like Jesus! Do like Jesus! Carry their pains and limitations on your bodies and quench them with love and prayers. This is how Christ loves the Church! Worship the Lord!
Christian wives are commanded to love and submit to their husbands “as to the Lord”. To submit it means willingly allowing another person to have power, authority or control over you. The wife’s submission to her husband is a manifestation of worshipping Jesus, the Head of the Church and proves that God’s Word is true. “A wife should put her husband first, as she does the Lord” (Eph 5:22; CEV). Many wives misunderstand godly submission. They see it as a form of oppression or slavery in marriage. That is a mistake. When Paul wrote this letter, the women were treated as second class citizens, as property, first by their fathers and brothers, and later by their husbands. They now became born again. They became free from all bondages. They could behave and speak as they wished. Paul tells them that as free women in Christ they need to submit to their husbands. Foolish freedom leads to rebellion. The wife does not need to submit to all men. Her submission in this special manner is only to her husband. It is done willingly, lovingly, proving that she is a woman of God.
The best way to understand the act of submission is to see it displayed by our Lord. “And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” 43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him” (Lk 22:41-43). In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus prays to God the Father. There is a battle of wills. In His human desire Jesus tries to avoid the cup of pain, shame and suffering on the Cross. But as God’s Son, He wants to totally submit to God, to do God’s will to save men. He must become a sin to save sinners. God’s wrath against sin will fall on Jesus. Jesus understands obedience and sacrifice as part of God’s plan for salvation. By submitting to God’s will Jesus declares His total trust in God the Father. As Jesus prays, His disciples struggle to stay awake. This shows the weakness of the human body and mind.
HOW DOES CHRIST LOVES HIS CHURCH? CHRIST DOES NOT CONDEMN US!
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior]” (Rom 8:1; AMP). Condemnation is a legal term, declaring that someone is evil and must go to hell. When someone is accused of a crime and comes before the judge, he is either condemned or he is vindicated from all charges. In Greek, the word ‘condemnation’ means guilty verdict, penalty and punishment. The word “now” shows the present reality of those who are saved. In the court, God, the Supreme Judge, declares that for Christ’ sake, the accused is not guilty of sin, and he must not be punished for it. Those who believe that Jesus died for them and took the punishment for their sins, are justified by grace and thru faith. This is a fact: there is no more condemnation for the believers in Christ. They have a new spiritual position and status because of their mystical unity with Christ. The Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus brings them eternal life and freedom by the Holy Spirit. The believers are eternally free from the fear, guilt, shame and punishment of sin because of their faith in Christ crucified. This freedom is not given by merit. It is purely by grace!
In the setup of marriage, the husband and wife must stop condemning one another. If God does not condemn your spouse, you too should do the same! Condemnation is more than criticizing. When husband and wife speak negative words to each other, producing shame or guilt, they go against God’s Word that says there is no more condemnation for those who are saved. Husbands and wives, control your tongue. By insulting your spouse, you disobey God’s Law. That is dangerous. See each other as God’s children and spiritual heirs together with Christ. “Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak]” (Eph 4:29; AMP). The word ‘unwholesome’ means rotten fruit. Don’t speak negative, hurtful ugly words. Speak blessings! Speak Life!
Green Pastures 