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 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. Jesus sent him away, saying, “Don’t go back into the village on your way home.”—Mark 8:22-26 NLT
This miracle of Jesus raises some interesting questions such as: why did Jesus lead the man out of the village before healing him? If He wanted privacy, why didn’t He just lead the blind man to a quiet place nearby and perform the miracle? Why didn’t Jesus heal the man simply by touching him? Why use such an unconventional and strange means of spitting on the man’s eyes? It may be that Jesus took these unusual steps to aid the man’s faith even though He can heal with just His word. Why didn’t the man receive perfect sight immediately? And finally, why did Jesus tell the man not to go back into the village?
We may not know the answers to all these questions, but one thing is sure, God is sovereign and does not have to justify His actions to us. I believe there are valid reasons for everything Jesus did, even though we might not fully understand them.
Every case of healing Jesus performed was different, just as is every case of our conversion. Some people gain remarkable spiritual sight and vision as soon as they are converted, and they run with it. Others, though saved, see dimly at first, then afterwards, gradually enter and grow into full revelation of the purposes and will of God.
The blind man was probably not born blind or else he would not have been able to identify trees as trees. If he was born blind, it is possible then that people may have described to him what a tree looked like.
This is the only healing or cure performed by Jesus which took place in stages. We may not fully understand why the healing was in stages. One thing we can take from this story is that God loves us and we’re forever in His perfect plan. God’s work in our lives may be instantaneous or it may take place in stages. What is required of us is basic trust and faith in God.
You may be dealing with some life issues right now, and perhaps you’ve experienced some positive signs of turnaround but not a complete breakthrough. Jesus wants us to press on a little longer in faith. He doesn’t want us to give up or become disillusioned at the first sign of delayed or incomplete intervention.
So, keep the faith and keep on believing.
Stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 