Today, I noticed something as I was having some quiet soul searching time. I noticed that Jesus, when healing certain people, would remove them from the group. Isn’t that interesting?

“Jesus, what do you want me to know about this?” I said.  He reminded me that thru out the last 2 years – I have felt His leading to go off, alone, by myself, just Him and myself. I imagined a time in the wilderness with the Lord, where I could re-learn the sound of His voice, and get to know who He really says I am – and who He is.  In essence, I needed time to find my identity after all the effects of abuse and betrayal  have mutilated the girl God designed me to be. I needed to find HER and I need the space to do this, without those who oppose me, criticize or abuse me.

I imagined Jesus scooping me up into His arms, like a husband carrying his bride over the threshold.  He would carry me off, as in Hosea 2:14 “I will win her back once again, I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there. I will return her vineyards to her and transform her Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope.”

I believe this is what Jesus did when he healed two specific people in the book of Mark. In Mark 7:31-34 Jesus came to a city and a deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to him. People were begging him to heal this man, the people wanted Jesus to lay his hands on the deaf man.  Jesus did the opposite of what the people suggested; it says he actually led the man AWAY from the crowds so they could be alone.  Then he proceeded to stick his fingers in this man’s ear, spit on his fingers, touch his tongue and cry out “Ephphatha” (BE OPENED) after this, the man began to speak plainly.

In another case, Mark 8:22 – 26, some people brought a blind man to Jesus and again, they begged and begged for Jesus to lay hands on him in order to heal. Jesus did the opposite. He took the man’s hand and “led him OUT of the village.” He spit on the man’s eyes and said “Can you see anything?” He touched his eyes again and finally, he could see. Jesus next words were “Don’t go back into the village on your way home.” Interesting.

In a humorous way, I wonder what secret ingredient is in Jesus’ spit. haha! But as I reflected I just couldn’t help but notice that Jesus led both of these men away from the crowds. Perhaps Jesus didn’t want word of the miracles to spread too quickly, as He was on God’s timeline and it wasn’t time yet for the events of his crucifixion to transpire? Perhaps, He didn’t want to overwhelm people’s capacity to handle such miraculous events… even the disciples couldn’t believe it when Jesus fed the 5,000 (Mark 8:18) and they were there, to witness it in person!  Or, was it that, part of the miracle for these men was spending a moment alone, in solitude with their Messiah?

What would Jesus have said to them after they could hear and speak? Would he have told them how much he delighted in them? Would he have told them how much their faith had healed them? Would he have told them of the Father’s love? What happened in those quiet moments before and after Jesus healed. I think it’s interesting that the healing happened in a moment AWAY from everyone else – where the Son was REVEALED to broken men. It was just Jesus and then they were HEALED.

We see this happen again immediately after Paul’s conversion. He tells us of his moments alone with Jesus. Just Jesus, in solitude revealing Himself to Paul. “Then it pleased him to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles. When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being. Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went away into Arabia, and later I returned to the city of Damascus…. “The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!” (Galatians 1:13-21)

I’m willing to bet Paul experienced a lot of healing when he went AWAY from others, into healthy solitude, in order to learn the sound of his Savior’s voice AND to see the way Jesus sees him. He had time alone, with Immanuel to truly understand and feel the way God delighted in him. The joy Paul must have experienced walking in intimacy with Jesus!

As I think about my own journey, overcoming so much! Willing to step AWAY from distorted family systems, the distorted belief systems, moving AWAY from a man who continued to tear me down, and willing to undergo transformation, all for my moments alone with Jesus.

My Dear Sister, when we are alone with Jesus, slowly He presses in, lays hands on our eyes, touches our ears, and says “BE OPENED” while scales begin to fall off. We experience our own type of healing. Whether we become opened to His love, His truth, His strength, His compassion, His grief for our tragic loss. Whatever healing you need – you can be sure that when you meet with Jesus, he will REVEAL it to you.  “For it was I the Lord your God who rescued you.. Open your mouth wide and I will fill it with good things.” (Psalm 81:10)

Just like he warned the man, not to go back to His home village – He wants what’s best for you too. He wants you to be safe, whole, healthy and loved. You are His delight – and the more you experience moments with Jesus, the more you’ll be captivated by His power and tenderness. The more loved and accepted you will feel – the more your heart will be known.

He wants to lead you AWAY from the crowds (those that would oppose truth and your healing), to take your hand and lead you OUT of the village (chaos) and into a place of rest and safety.

Hear this sister,

“He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters.

He rescued me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me.

They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress, but the Lord supported me.

He led me to a place of SAFETY; he RESCUED me because HE DELIGHTS IN ME.” (Psalm 18:16-18)

You are not alone.

Love,

Rochelle Sadie