“They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23 He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” 24 He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” 25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into[a] the village.” Mark 8.22-26
Have you ever noticed that often when people come to Jesus they do so in desperation. They often come begging him to do something. Rarely do they just stroll up and say, “Hey Jesus, if you got a sec can you heal my dead friend?”
When people come to Jesus it is always intense. It is full of drama and either those who are asking on behalf of a friend, or the sick person themselves, are desperate. Just like the blind man in Bethsaida. The text says, “some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him.” What is it about begging God for help that gets his attention?
So Jesus takes the blind man outside the town, spits in his eyes (gross), places his hands on him and asks him about his vision. It sounds like the optometrist who holds the lens before your eyes and says — “Is it better now….or now?” As he clicks the lens on the machine that fits your eyes for glasses. The first time Jesus placed his hands on the mans eyes it didn’t work because the man said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” So Jesus puts his hand on the hands eyes again and then “his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.”
I’m sure there’s a reason Jesus didn’t heal the man the first time but I’m not sure what that reason would be. Maybe it increased the man’s dependence upon Christ or let the people know that Jesus really is the healer.
The first question Jesus asks the blind man is “Do you see anything?” This was a reference to his blindness, of course, but also possibly to our own spiritual blindness. Although not many of us are physically blind, all of us have been spiritual blind at one point in our lives. Blinded by sin, lust, greed, power and the list goes on. Blinded by our own desires and wants. But Jesus gives sight to the blind — both physically and spiritually speaking. He allows us to see the truth of his love and the forgiveness at his hand.
Think of a time when you were spiritually blind. How did Christ help you see? What miracle did he perform in your life that led you to repentance?
“O Lord God, I have had those times when I was blinded by sin, distant from your love, hiding from your grace. Thank you for healing my blindness and keeping my vision clear by obedience and your Holy Spirit. Fill me with your love once again! Help me know the truth of your love and my purpose in your Kingdom. Thank you for being my healer and Savior of all things. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen