What Was In The Village?

May 1

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         And they came to Bethsaida. And they brought a blind man to Jesus and implored Him to touch him. Taking the blind man by the hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, “Do you see anything?”

         And he looked up and said, “I see men, for I see them like trees, walking around.”

         Then again He laid His hands on his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and began to see everything clearly.

         And He sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.” [Mark 8:22-26] [1]

 

NOTICE THE FOLLOWING:

1) There was a blind man in Bethsaida

2) He was brought to the Lord Jesus

3) The Lord took the blind man by the hand and brought him out of the village…

 

         What was in the village?

 

4) Outside the village, the Lord spat on the blind man’s eyes

5) The Lord then laid His hands on the blind man

6) He asked the blind man if he could see anything

 

         What was in the village?

 

7) The blind man LOOKED UP and said he SAW men like trees walking around

8) The Lord laid His hands on the man’s eyes and his sight was RESTORED

9) The Lord told the man who was blind to go straight home and DO NOT ENTER THE VILLAGE

 

         What was in the village?

 

         © 2015 by RJ Dawson. All Rights Reserved.

[1] Unless otherwise noted all Scriptures are taken from the New American Standard Bible, © 1960, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Posted on May 1, 2015, in Teaching and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink. 17 Comments.

  1. Tim Shey | May 1, 2015 at 9:09 AM

    Maybe that village had a Satanic stronghold, maybe there were some Pharisees in that village that would have persecuted the former blind man had they heard that Jesus healed him.

    We as Christians suffer His reproach outside the camp (Hebrews 13:13).

    “Outside the Camp”
    https://hitchhikeamerica.wordpress.com/2012/09/03/outside-the-camp/

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    • RJ Dawson | May 1, 2015 at 9:33 AM

      Thanks Tim. Excellent. It could also be that his healing never would have happened in the first place in that place, which should make one wonder why healings never happen in other “places”…

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  2. usafbeth | May 1, 2015 at 10:18 AM

    “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12 That explains why healings don’t happen in some places.

    As for what was in the village, perhaps it was something that he didn’t need to see – like some ancient villages full of phallic symbols and pornographic images, on the streets in open view of even the children. We have to guard what we see and hear. Garbage in, garbage out.

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    • RJ Dawson | May 1, 2015 at 9:41 PM

      Right you are. Thanks! The demonic invisible realm is often cloaked outwardly in fine clothing. Beware. Some of those ancient places had even more ancient origins and it seems when you trace it all back the originators were seriously messed up, and that such places became geographic demonic zones. Not sure about the iconography, though. Peter, Andrew, and Philip were apparently from there, and there must have been a strong Hebrew presence. Yet, the Romans also had their influence, without doubt.

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  3. Scarlett | May 1, 2015 at 12:37 PM

    That was a good response from both you, Tim, and Brother Dawson as well, Healings can seldom take place in an atmosphere of unbelief and evil. There was some evidence there was an idolatrous presence in Bethsaida:
    “A unique feature of the Bethsaida gate is the variety of cultic installations in front of the inner gate. An entire “gate altar” (bama) measuring 2.1 x 1.6 m. and constructed of basalt stones covered with light plaster was found there. Two steps led to the top of the bama which had a recessed, 35 cm. deep stone basin, measuring 60 x 50 cm. A basalt stele that once stood at the back of the bama was found, broken, on it. The stele, 1.15 m. high, 59 cm. wide and 31 cm. thick, was carefully shaped with a rounded top. On its front was carved the stylized figure of a horned bull, armed with a dagger. In the Mesopotamian pantheon, the bull represents the moon god. It was adopted by the Arameans as the symbol of their main deity, Haddad, identified as the figure represented on this stele.”.http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Archaeology/Bethsaida.html

    Other than that, I don’t think the Lord Jesus had many friends in Bethsaida, and as Tim said, it might have been best to keep the matter quiet.

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    • RJ Dawson | May 1, 2015 at 9:35 PM

      Thank you, Scarlett. Great response. Something seriously weird about the place. Appears to have had enough unbelief to gag a maggot.

      Be blessed.

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      • Scarlett | May 2, 2015 at 1:42 AM

        Apparently so.One of the three cities the Lord cursed. Centers of idolatry. I remember a National Geographic pictorial I read many years ago about Capernum . The writer described the basalt in the area, and I seem to recall he mentioned a rather “sulfur” like smell coming from the area. Whether this was writer’s artist license, the real deal, or part of the Lord Jesus curse on the area, I don’t know, but I wouldn’t doubt it. I don’t remember the Lord Jesus removing the curse. Boy, we all need to watch our step. Can you think of anything worse than being cursed by God?

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        • RJ Dawson | May 2, 2015 at 10:02 AM

          Actually, He was denouncing these places—strongly rebuking them. It was a long held practice of the Hebrew prophets to use this term, Woe, with reference to those who were disobedient and rebellious toward God. He did this publicly, as a witness against them, that all may hear.

          The people of Bethsaida (house of fish), as well as Chorazin (furnace of smoke), and Capernaum (village of comfort) [Strong’s Definitions], were all located at the north end of the Sea of Galilee area. Because the Lord denounced the people of these cities (the controlling majority) as a Prophet, they were undeniably predominantly Hebrew, and the people there knew what He was doing. The people were controlled by the religious leaders, so the ultimate fault is laid at their feet, though the wimpy followers were just as guilty.

          There was no need to lay a curse, nor did the Lord practice such against people. In essence, people curse themselves, or allow for a curse upon themselves, by rejecting the Lord Jesus. This opens them up to demonic influence with no recourse.

          It is one thing to not believe the Gospel, in the sense that one has never been presented with a strong and correct witness, but quite another to reject it after receiving one. The Lord’s presence and work at that time in that area was so obvious that whoever would reject Him and His work, the one and only real Gospel, was truly aligned with the devil whether they knew it or not.

          Here is the point: It is one thing for unreal Christians to reject real Christians. But what if the Lord Jesus showed up and began denouncing “churches” in America for the same reasons He denounced those cities of His time? Such an event would remove the fake religious outer wrapping in many of these places and one would then see what’s really going on behind the scenes. Most would reveal themselves for the Christian Pharisees they are and turn on Him in a second, doing exactly as the first century Pharisees did against the Lord.

          Since the Lord Jesus actually is here, in the form of His Holy Spirit indwelling real believers, such rebuke must come from Him through His chosen ones according to His will and direction, and such rebukes and denunciations are increasing. It is one of the characteristics of the Great Awakening that falsehoods be revealed. It is one of the reasons for persecution. Persecution is increasing, and this is a good sign. It is a sign that TRUTH is coming forth. YES!

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          • Scarlett | May 3, 2015 at 1:08 PM

            Oops, my bad! Come to think of it, the bible never said Lord Jesus “cursed” these cities…the Internet writers, among others did…(better watch where I get my info and from whom, eh?) The Lord Jesus did curse the fig tree, with some very prophetic implications. But that’s another story.
            You know, some of us may feel like we live in an area similar to these idolatrous cities. Me, for example. Of course, I’m sure there are some cities in the United States that are worse than others…but where could one possibly go nowadays to get away from these ungodly influences? This is what we’re facing in this hour…some of us in our own families. Loved ones in rebellion and disobedience who should know better, just as those in Bethsaida, and go ahead with their sins and worldly lifestyles anyway. They look at me as if I’m crazy and “over the top”, It takes a lot of patience to trust the Lord to bring them to repentance. But it makes me wonder what they will have to go through to come to that place. So sad..so unnecessary, but then I think back to what it took for the Lord Jesus to bring me to repentance, and the miracle of deliverance He performed in my life. What Mighty God He is!

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            • RJ Dawson | May 3, 2015 at 1:52 PM

              He is indeed, Scarlett! And ditto. Thanks.

              I think of what all real Christians have had to do throughout history in a world gone nuts that they did not belong to, yet having to live in anyway. And I think about the Lord who had it so much more difficult than us, incomprehensibly difficult, in that He must never sin or would destroy the only possible sacrifice for all of us and our deliverance from evil. He managed to live among the presence of evil all around Him, but also the active presence of evil against Him. But He always prayed for strength and had strength, and we must do the same. We must speak His Word as He did.

              I would say continue shining your light and take off some of the pressure to assist others who may not want any help just yet and keep praying. When the time comes to minister, minister away in His anointing and charge your batteries. Let your joy be full. Keep up the great work. (Thanks for your latest. What an eye-opener.)

              The Lord is our Sabbath.

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  4. Tim Shey | May 1, 2015 at 4:41 PM

    Amen. Here is a good scripture:

    Luke 10: 13-16: ” Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.”

    Reminds me of Jackson, Wyoming.

    “Jackson, Wyoming”
    https://hitchhikeamerica.wordpress.com/2013/01/07/jackson-wyoming/

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    • RJ Dawson | May 1, 2015 at 9:06 PM

      Thanks Tim. It probably reminds us all of several (many) different places close by, now that the devil has been allowed to set up shop with not only no official interference but actually a ton of support. Like, “Hey devil! We love you, man!” What else could it be since the works of darkness are relatively obvious to people with a sound mind and no demonic agenda?

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  5. Scarlett | May 3, 2015 at 2:07 PM

    Yes, Many different places close by and even where we live, in the midst of “churches” and unreal Christianity, and the results show.

    One of the “churches” if you could call it that, is named, “Our Lady of Perpetual Help”. I sometimes give it other names as I drive by which wouldn’t be too hard to think of, (and then pray set them free, open their eyes, etc)

    Anyways…

    And if you dare say anything publicly, someone in a New York minute is going to come at you yelling you’re “spreading hate”. Hate? Talking about the gospel of Jesus Christ and how He can set people free? Sometimes you feel like the “Lone Ranger”. Oh well….whatever it takes, and sometimes it takes a lot!

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  6. Karen Traa | May 4, 2015 at 2:22 PM

    I like how you have presented this. It makes us THINK and search for ourselves, which is a really good thing!

    I think it was probably unbelief in the village.

    It’s what kept the disciples from casting the demon out of the lunatic child in Matthew 17. They brought the child to Jesus and he cast the demon out, but He rebuked his disciples for not believing (oh faithless and perverse generation). Verse 20 of that chapter says Jesus told his disciples when they asked WHY they couldn’t cast out the demon—”Because of your unbelief”.

    There were other places Jesus went where He didn’t do many miracles because of their unbelief. Interesting, isn’t it?? We tend to think we should be able to combat unbelief, but Jesus sometimes didn’t even bother to try…..He just went somewhere else. Maybe we should just follow our Master in that. 🙂

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    • RJ Dawson | May 5, 2015 at 8:07 AM

      Thanks Karen. Great comment. I appreciate it.

      From what you say, it is obvious that unbelief is an actual entity. It is something possessed by individuals. And it is a choice to possess it.

      That’s why the Lord would move on. It is why He could not do many or any miracles in particular locations. There may have been other demonic strongholds and there often were. But again, people choose to have what they want and believe what they want, even if they are deceived in doing it.

      Faith is one thing, and unbelief is another. It is not just the absence of faith.

      Indeed, He instructed His disciples to move on when they were not accepted or received. He told them to “shake the dust off your feet” as a witness against those who rejected them. He said whoever rejected them rejected Him and His Gospel.

      It is weird to think that the majority of “Christian” adherents in the world have rejected the real Gospel and accepted counterfeits, and they wonder why they cannot perform as the Lord did or have what the early believers did. Then, instead of searching, repenting, and changing, they merely make peace with false Gospels and unbelief…

      What was in the village is the same thing in many “churches”…

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      • Karen Traa | May 5, 2015 at 8:49 AM

        Thanks for your answer to my comment. 🙂 Unbelief as an actual entity? I had never thought of it in that context ; that could explain many things about then and now. You just cracked that wide open for me! In Mark 9, the same story ( I think) is told as the above story in Matthew but this time the father of the child says to Jesus “I believe, but would YOU help my unbelief?” I have pondered that many times. Most people just present that as a lack of faith, or too little faith.
        I have heard another teacher say that unbelief is hardness of heart, which means that we choose it……or do we? If my heart is hard, is it only because I’ve never gotten close enough to the One who can melt it, or the hardness the direct result of a demonic stronghold and I am going to need help from someone else in the body of Christ to tear it down for me? Similar to what your teaching does here…….it seems that a good teacher can knock down a stronghold of lies very quickly when the truth is spoken. ( not the only way to knock down a stronghold but certainly one way)
        Did he mean the same thing when he said “Shake the dust off your feet” as he did when he said “let your peace return to you” in regard to people not receiving the message of the gospel or teaching by the disciples/apostles?? And if I was “shaking the dust off my feet” as a witness against those who reject the gospel, what would I be doing? And how do I know it is time to do that??

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        • RJ Dawson | May 5, 2015 at 11:32 PM

          Thanks Karen, for sharing your thoughts and bringing us closer to the truth of this matter. Rejection is what it is. When an entire village wants to run you out of town and there is no one there who wants the Lord, it’s a sad thing. The Lord does not want us to lose our peace, though.

          I don’t know if there is what we may call a final rejection in most cases when people initially reject the Gospel, in that the Lord can still do things—He can work on a person’s heart after being rejected.

          I remember when I received my first witness to the real Gospel. I was a nice guy and listened and thought it was great that my friends had found something, but I began to get a little upset when they persisted. I finally told them to leave if they couldn’t stop. I didn’t want what they had, I thought at the time, even though it was the very thing I had long been searching for. They were very sad when they left. But they didn’t stop there, thank the Lord.

          They began praying. They got other people in their new church to pray. Long story short, three months later they called and wanted me to visit them. They assured me there would be no pressure. Three months of prayer had softened my heart AND prepared me for meeting the Lord Jesus. Long story shorter, I met the Lord and gave my life to Him!

          I am ever thankful they never gave up.

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