Mark 8:22–26 22And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. 23And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. 24And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. 25After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. 26And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.
Blind, blurry, bright, that was the progression in this man’s sight.
This miracle is unusual. Normally Jesus doesn’t partially perform his wonders in the gospel records. Typically, the Bible tells us stories of complete healing, lame legs walking, mute mouths speaking, deaf ears hearing without the need of physical therapy.
In this instance, Jesus gave this man’s sight in stages.
Blind, blurry, bright, that was the progression in this man’s sight.
At First His Sight Was Blind.
Jesus took this sightless man by his hand and led him down the road. Can you imagine that scene of the Lord leading, helping the man avoid the dangers along the way?
I can’t help but see myself in this story right now. I often feel so much like this blind man who apart from my Jesus would stumble into unspeakable sin and walk into woes. I know that in spite of physical eyesight I was unaware of so much and without his hands I would surely have fallen far.
Then His Sight Was Blurry.
When Jesus got this man to a place outside of town, he put spit in his blind eyes and caused them to see. Why spit in the fella’s eyes? I suppose the Lord was showing us that what proceeds from his mouth is what helps the spiritually blind see. We are saved by the Word of God! The man was given sight, but something wasn’t quite right with his vision. This once blind man now saw light, colors, shapes and movement but not the details. Men to him, looked no different than trees. Jesus has more work to do. Again, I see ole Jason in this story. I know that my Lord has worked in my life. He has done some amazing things. I can sing amazing grace, “I was blind, but now I see” with complete honesty! Something however is still not quite right.
Clearly, we can all see, Jesus isn’t done with me! The Lord has more work to do.
Then His Sight Was Bright
A second touch from Jesus brought another stage of healing. The man that couldn’t discern the difference between an object and a man now can see clearly. The blurriness gave way to brightness and detail. Now he can see the difference between mere things and people with souls.
Wow, guess who I see in this scene? Yep, the Bald believer himself!
I see me!
Blind, blurry, bright, that was the progression in this man’s sight
Even as a saved man I have viewed people wrongly. I have failed to see them the way that my Jesus sees. I have seen just a customer or competition not the person in front of my eyes. I have viewed the crowd as if they were just obstacles to avoid never noticing that they had never dying souls for which Jesus died. I have seen beautiful ladies and looked only on the surface, viewing them like objects, never considering what I was really seeing, a focus of my Lord’s care. I, like the man with blurred sight, couldn’t see the difference between people and things. I have been given a second touch and now see my past sins with great regret. I need another touch, he hasn’t finished on me yet, but I know I am thankful for the work he has put into me.
Blind, blurry, bright, that was the progression in this man’s sight
What about you?
Do you see yourself in this scene?
Would you like to have his leading?
Would you like to experience his saving touch in your life?
Would you like to receive that second touch so that you see people like Jesus sees?