Imagine tagging along with the disciples during Christ’s ministry, listening to his teaching, watching his encounters, witnessing his miracles.
One day your group encounters two blind men along the roadside in Capernaum. The sightless men cry out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” Jesus touches their eyes, and instantly the two men can see (Matthew 9:27-31). After a collective gasp, everyone bursts into cheers and joyful laughter.
On a second occasion outside the town of Bethsaida, some people bring another sightless man to Jesus. Perhaps he’s heard what happened to the two blind men of Capernaum, because he too begs Jesus to touch him and heal his blindness. But that’s not what Jesus does. Instead, he spits on the man’s eyes and then puts his hands on him.
Even a second touch is added to restore this man to full sight (Mark 8:22-26). Amidst the celebrating for this miracle you wonder, Why did Jesus spit on this man’s eyes when one touch healed the blind man in Capernaum?
On a third occasion as Jesus and your entourage leave Jericho, you encounter yet another blind man, Bartimaeus. Will Jesus touch him and/or spit on the man’s eyes to heal him? Neither. Jesus simply speaks to the beggar and his sight is restored (Mark 10:46-52). Your bewilderment grows deeper still.
And then while in Jerusalem, Jesus heals a fifth blind man. By now you’ve given up trying to predict what the Master might do. Even so you blink in surprise as Jesus spits on the ground, makes a bit of mud, spreads it on the blind man’s eyes, and instructs him to go wash in the pool of Siloam (John 9:1-9). You catch yourself before throwing your hands up in disbelief as Jesus demonstrates one more way to heal sightless eyes.
You’ve now witnessed five men healed of blindness by four different methods. The evidence speaks for itself:
The Son of God is unpredictable.
The Old Testament provides proof that God the Father also acts in unexpected ways. You may remember when he:
- Raised up two humble shepherds to positions of leadership[1]
- Spoke to one of his prophets through a donkey[2]
- Made the sun stand still[3]
- Used a blind slave to kill thousands of Israel’s archenemies[4]
- Allowed another prophet to be swallowed by a big fish[5]
Numerous other examples from scripture could be cited to prove:
Our God is unconventional.
Even today he proves his penchant for the unexpected.
A few weeks ago our daughter H., a school psychologist, relayed to us a story about a student she worked with last year. We’ll call her Emma. After frequent interactions, H. and Emma developed an easy rapport, the girl was making good progress, and H. grew to care deeply for her.
But this fall as school resumed, she learned Emma had moved to Florida. Not wanting the girl to lose momentum, H. called the new school and asked to speak to the psychologist there. She hoped to offer some helpful background about Emma and set the tone for continued progress.
Imagine her surprise when the gentleman who answered the phone turned out to be Andrew __________, a colleague who’d been part of the same master’s program as H. at Florida State University. Out of just twelve students in that program, Andrew just happened to be the one to oversee this little girl who’d won our daughter’s heart. And Andrew assured H. he’d take good care of Emma.
Time and again our God has proven . . .
. . . He is full of surprises.
I for one take great delight in a Heavenly Father who mystifies me by his unpredictability, wows me with his unconventionality, and takes my breath away with his surprises.
How about you?
Please share in the comment section below an example from your own experience of “a wonder that cannot be fathomed.” Let’s . . .
[1] Moses, Exodus 3; David, 1 Samuel 16
[2] Balaam, Numbers 22
[3] Joshua 10
[4] Samson, Judges 16
[5] Jonah, Jonah 1
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From the Inside Out 
These examples give the saying “God works in mysterious ways” a whole new meaning, Nancy. The Lord will do things out of the blue, it seems, and surprise us with joy and wonder. As my brother and I are trying to prepare my mother’s house for selling, I wasn’t sure how we would go about it. But just yesterday, as Danny and I are currently at the house, the Dean of Emory-Oxford college, who lives across the street, came over and asked if he could tour the home. He informed us that when we are ready to sell, Emory University is willing to offer us a fair price. WOW! Oh, yes, our God is so very, very good, and lovingly unpredictable. 🙂
Blessings!
Oh Martha! That’s WONDERFUL news!! Praise God for lifting from your shoulders the burden of finding a buyer for your mother’s house! And thank you for sharing here about his unexpected provision!
A very good friend of mine veered off a bike trail recently, falling twenty feet down a steep hillside. She suffered little more than cuts and bruises, which seems unfathomable when her husband showed me a photo of where she fell. But then I recall an accident of my own in college, one where I had no business walking away from my demolished car. All I could think then, as I do now, is the Lord was speaking to me and saying, “It’s not your time yet. You have so much more to do in this world.”
Praise God for his protection–for your good friend and for yourself. And for all the times like these you’ve described, when we KNOW God had to have intervened, there must be more rescues when we weren’t even aware. With the psalmist we can celebrate: Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you” (Psalm 31:19). Hallelujah!
Wonderful article. Thanks Nancy. God has lead me to be a Caregivers Support Group Facilitator. Since I experienced taking care of a dementia patient God gave me my mission. I give Him all the credit. It is not me ,but Him
What a glorious thing God did, to put you in a position where you could share your wealth of experience and wisdom about care-giving! The fact that you receive such joy of serving in this capacity also highlights his blessing. No doubt you never expected this ministry to become your calling, but God knew! And think of all the people who benefit–directly and via the ripple effect. MORE glory to God! Thank you for sharing, Laura.
Nancy, I believe it’s through our childlike eyes of wonder which we should never lose sight of, or, in a way, we become blinded to His surprises and unexpected blessings and revelations. No intended double entendre there. 🙂 After 65, 66 years (I can never remember and who cares, I feel decades younger) it’s hard to choose what to share, but I was writing today about my mom during her last seven days of life. There were so many moments of unexpected glory during those seven days when anyone would have expected grief. But I’ll never forget how her eyes were filled with just that—wonder—as she seemed to stare beyond the ceiling, and glow, although she’d been through the worst battle with cancer. God allowed us to witness a glimpse of heaven through her death. That was unexpected!
Such a beautiful article—amazing insight, and profound observation.
Thank you!
Deb
This is such an encouragement, Deborah! When saints leave this world glowing, smiling, and filled with wonder, our hope is gloriously affirmed. Thank you so much for sharing your story. As for “amazing insight and profound observation,” I must give credit to a Sunday School teacher years ago who pointed out to us the different ways Jesus healed these blind men. I just embellished on the idea (with, I pray, the promptings of the Spirit)!
Absolutely beautiful post, Nancy. Our Lord is truly unconventional
Thank you, Brenda. In my above response you can read where the seed-of-an-idea for this post came from. As a sister blogger, you probably feel the same: Our God of surprises does an amazing job of presenting us with blog-post possibilities, and ways to flesh them out!
Amen and amen 🙏🏽
What a great post, Nancy! I never really thought about those different methods, but it is perplexing! But I really, really love this: “I for one take great delight in a Heavenly Father who mystifies me by his unpredictability, wows me with his unconventionality, and takes my breath away with his surprises.” Oh, that sums up our amazing and awesom Savior so well!! You’ve given me a great truth to chew on throughout the day!!
Thank you, Sheila! As I said to Brenda above: “As a sister blogger, you probably feel the same: Our God of surprises does an amazing job of presenting us with blog-post possibilities, and ways to flesh them out!” It warms my heart to think that a sentence from this post has given you truth to chew on throughout the day. Another unexpected gift from Our Heavenly Father, the privilege to share something from him that is meaningful to you. Hallelujah!
I’m thankful that God is so resourceful to use whatever means he wants to in bringing our healing! 🙂
Amen, Lisa–an aspect of his creative genius we don’t often think of! Thank you for sharing your insight.
Thanks, Nancy.
You’re welcome, Gary.
My Mom lost her hearing aids after church last Sunday. She looked everywhere for six days. Then yesterday she found them on her kitchen desk. She had absolutely looked there earlier in the week several times! God is so wonderful! She had made an appointment to get a new pair and immediately cancelled it. A new pair would have been very costly. We believe that God found the missing ones for her. There is no other explanation. To God be the Glory!!! I praise Him that He helps us with our concerns no matter how small.
I’ve experienced the same type of God-incidence. To God be the glory, indeed!
Sometimes God has to remind us he is planning the steps for our lives. Those are several instances. Love this topic, have had so many of these happen.
Amen, my friend–God does indeed plan the steps of our lives. I know you’ve experienced some incredible God-incidents yourself!
[…] ■ God of the Unexpected […]
I was told years ago that I could never be used of the Lord because of sin that I stumbled in. I should have known better about the sin, but the verdict from one who led me to the Lord in my teens was nearly devastating. Then God moved my family to Tucson and we went to a church suggested to us. Even before getting into our seats the Pastor approached me and told me God brought me there for a purpose. Well through prayer AND acceptance (I had repented long before) the Lord used me mightily and I was actually confirmed and ordained in my ministry at that very church. God CAN and DOES use anyone who is willing to follow Him, forsaking the past and moving forward in Him! What a Glorious Lord we truly Serve!!!
Praise God for his grace that covers all sin–“there is NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1)! Thank you so much for sharing your story, Roland. SO encouraging!