Bethsaida

I'm referring to the incident of the healing of the blind man at Bethsaida. Please note, the Lord took the man by the hand and led him outside the village. He healed him outside the village. Then He sends him home, saying, 'Don't even enter into the village!'

Bethsaida is condemned. But why? Please refer to Matthew 11.20-24. Jesus denounced the cities where most of His miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. Matt 11.21 says, 'Woe unto you, Bethsaida!' Our Lord goes on to say that had He done those miracles in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. Bethsaida did not repent in spite of so many miracles.

It is not easy to repent. But there is an underlying message. Will miracles bring about repentance? They seem to have hardened Bethsaida's heart. Repentance comes from conviction through the Word of God, Acts 2.37. It is the conviction of the Holy Spirit, John 16.8. Mere physical healing and signs and wonders will not change the human heart. The Word has to be planted there. The Word has to be like a hammer that breaks the rocks, Jer 23.29. O the tragedy of a hardened heart, of one over-familiar with the truths of God! O the blindness of seeking charismatic experiences, miracles and healings, without experiencing the convicting work of the Holy Spirit!