Faith is not measurable, nor comparable, but rather an inner confidence in the unseen, yet tangible presence of God.
Mark 7:34 (Faith)
34 He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). (NIV-Jesus Bible)
Mark 7:37 (Faith)
37 People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” (NIV-Jesus Bible)
Using Saliva to Heal and Instill Faith
Scripture tells us that Jesus used his saliva three times to heal people.
- Mark 7 when he healed a deaf and mute man
- Mark 8: 22-26 where he heals a blind man at Bethsaida
- John 9:1-12 where Jesus heals a man who was born blind
Scholars cannot agree on why Jesus used his saliva, and one time combined it with dirt to make mud, to restore these people to wholeness. In those days, and even now, spit is not considered an acceptable thing, I would even say it is considered disgusting, especially if someone spits in public.
So, why did Jesus use it?
Perhaps because it is what he had at hand, but more importantly, I think Jesus used it to satisfy our need for the tangible. Personally, I don’t believe for one moment that he had to use it to carry out the healing. I believe he could have said, you are healed and it would have been done. Jesus could have even just thought it and it would have been sufficient. However, the extra effort is perhaps what allowed these individuals the level of faith that was needed on their part for their healing. Jesus is never just about our physical health, but our spiritual health is far more important to him.
For Some, Faith is not Enough
Thomas needed to touch Jesus’ wounds and see him with his eyes before he believed in Christ’s resurrection. Faith was not enough for him. He needed a tangible experience. Like Thomas, there are many who need that tangible experience, for whom trusting in the unseen, for whom faith is an elusive trust.
So, What About Us? What About You?
Faith… where are you with yours? Do you wait to see and feel the tangible before you believe? Like Thomas, do you need to touch the wounds and see the person? Is the tangible so important that you need to experience the healing before you believe?
What is holding you back?
Faith is Believing the Unseen
Hebrews 11:1
1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (NIV-Jesus Bible)
1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (NIV-Jesus Bible)
Faith is our first step into a miraculous and unfathomable future of peace and joy. Faith is believing in the unseen, it is walking on water and sleeping through the storm. It is that step taken blindly, trusting in the all-encompassing power of God.
So, drop whatever you are holding onto and simply let go, embracing faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and your one and only means to live! A life well lived here on earth, and an eternity in God’s presence, once we are done here.
So, take that step of faith.
Take that leap of faith! Pray the prayer.
Pray the prayer. Click the link and it will take you to a simple prayer, that will start you on a life of faith! A life well-lived, and an all-encompassing future of joy and peace.
If you have taken the step to pray, congratulations and well done, good and faithful servant. Now, tell someone! Share this marvelous news. Yell it from the rooftops if you feel like it… but not really the rooftop, cause that would be dangerous. I recommend the firm ground. And if you feel comfortable, please let me know.
Blessings,
Jana
You’ve done an impressive work on your website in covering the topic. I am working on content about SEO and thought you might like to check out Article World and let me what you think.