Do not even enter the village.

And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. 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?” And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”

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I am amazed when I read of miracles like this. Not so much that the miracle happened but the way that it happened. The story is so compelling. I wonder why the Lord led the blind man by the hand out of the village? And why did he use spittle in the healing process? And why was it a two step healing process? And isn't it strange that he ordered the man not to enter the village? What was it about that village that was so troubling to the Lord?

In these latter years of my life I have come to love the wonder and mystery of faith. Certainly there are some things in life that the bible has answers for but there is so much mystery in these gospel stories. Even so, like the healed man in this story, I think that there are places that God has led me out of and does not want me to return to. Escaping from those places has put me in a place where I can experience healing and it is wise that I do not return.

Help me Lord to not return to the dark places.