December 20, 2017 – Mark 8:22-23

Mark 8:22-23 – When they arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and they begged him to touch the man and heal him. Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then, spitting on the man’s eyes, he laid his hands on him and asked, “Can you see anything now?”

The last phrase of Mark 8:25, is intriguing.  What does it mean, ‘he could see everything clearly’?  How often do we say, “I see…?”

This would be in a math class for me, learning the principle of Base 2.  It could be a friend’s unexplained behavior.  Or perhaps blurred physical sight while reading.  And the understanding and seeing the spiritual teachings of Jesus.

Faith was present in the men who led the blind man to Jesus to be healed. What was their reaction when Jesus spit on his eyes and laid his hands on the blind man’s eyes?  What happened to their belief in Jesus, when the blind man saw men who looked like trees walking around?

Every man expected instant healing. Often Jesus has ‘wait’ time, or ‘teaching’ time during the hard times.  It is the time to pray, to meditate, and let our faith in Jesus grow. What if the blind man left after the first time Jesus touched him? He would continue to be blind, without sight, and faith.

When we lose faith in Jesus, we lose all hope in the things that matter.  Not just in this world, but the world to come. When we believe in Jesus alone, we have spiritual sight, and see Him clearly.

The man looked around. “Yes,” he said, “I see people, but I can’t see them very clearly. They look like trees walking around.” Then Jesus placed his hands on the man’s eyes again, and his eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly. Mark 8:24-25