A Unique Story of Healing: Mark 8:22-26
“22) And they *came to Bethsaida. And they *brought a blind man to Jesus and *implored Him to touch him. 23) Taking the blind man by the hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24) And he looked up and said, “I see men, for I see them like trees, walking around.” 25) Then again He laid His hands on his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and began to see everything clearly. 26) And He sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”” Mark 8:22-26
Jesus and the disciples now travel to Bethsaida. Soon they bring to Him a blind man who entreated Jesus to touch Him. No one was prepared for what Jesus did.
Let’s pause for a moment. We often have preconceived notions of what God is going to do or how Jesus is going to meet our needs. The blind man expected Jesus to lay hands on him and heal his sight in the presence of all the people. But that’s not what happened.
Instead, Jesus brought him out of the village. Then instead of laying hands on him, Jesus first spit in eyes and then laid hands on Him. I’m shocked at the variety of ways Jesus ministered to people. Some methods, like this miracle, were very unconventional.
Then Jesus asked him a question; “Do you see anything?” The answer was, “I see men, for I see them as men walking about.” He had made progress, but the blind man wasn’t completely healed. His vision was very blurred.
He most likely had lost his sight at some point, because he had some recognition of people. It’s not as if he had been born blind and never seen people before.
But here is the big take away from this story, Jesus continued to minister healing to him! This was not a “one and done” event of healing. He again laid hands upon his eyes and looked intently at him. I wonder what Jesus was doing through His intent look?
I believe we give up to easily when praying for healing! Sometimes healing in the ministry of Jesus was immediate. With some the word “recovery” was used because it took time. Some were healed as they departed and obeyed Jesus. (Luke 17:11-19)
In this case, it took more than one touch from Jesus to heal the blind man. Sometimes Jesus laid hands on people, other times He did not. Occasionally Jesus pointed to the faith of the person as being the key for the healing. Other times, touching His garment healed them or His shadow falling on them brought healing. We even have cases of the disciples anointing with oil in the healing process.
But there is more. Jesus sometimes did healing in public and other times in private. He sometimes told people to go and tell their story, yet other times He admonished them to tell no one. In this case He told the blind man to return home without entering the village.
The more I study healing from a biblical perspective, the more exposed my false presumptions become. I have much to learn, but I am convinced the problem with dismal results is rooted within me and not a lack of power or will from Jesus. He still holds the office of the Great Physician. He is still in the business of healing people and setting them free.
I am developing a growing faith and tenacity when it comes to this subject. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
I no longer shun or explain away biblical texts that deal with deliverance, healing or miracles. I am starting to double down when ministering to people and appeal to the authority of Jesus Christ and the power of His name. I am starting to understand and apply the Bible literally in these area’s.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“22) And they *came to Bethsaida. And they *brought a blind man to Jesus and *implored Him to touch him. 23) Taking the blind man by the hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24) And he looked up and said, “I see men, for I see them like trees, walking around.” 25) Then again He laid His hands on his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and began to see everything clearly. 26) And He sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”” Mark 8:22-26
Jesus and the disciples now travel to Bethsaida. Soon they bring to Him a blind man who entreated Jesus to touch Him. No one was prepared for what Jesus did.
Let’s pause for a moment. We often have preconceived notions of what God is going to do or how Jesus is going to meet our needs. The blind man expected Jesus to lay hands on him and heal his sight in the presence of all the people. But that’s not what happened.
Instead, Jesus brought him out of the village. Then instead of laying hands on him, Jesus first spit in eyes and then laid hands on Him. I’m shocked at the variety of ways Jesus ministered to people. Some methods, like this miracle, were very unconventional.
Then Jesus asked him a question; “Do you see anything?” The answer was, “I see men, for I see them as men walking about.” He had made progress, but the blind man wasn’t completely healed. His vision was very blurred.
He most likely had lost his sight at some point, because he had some recognition of people. It’s not as if he had been born blind and never seen people before.
But here is the big take away from this story, Jesus continued to minister healing to him! This was not a “one and done” event of healing. He again laid hands upon his eyes and looked intently at him. I wonder what Jesus was doing through His intent look?
I believe we give up to easily when praying for healing! Sometimes healing in the ministry of Jesus was immediate. With some the word “recovery” was used because it took time. Some were healed as they departed and obeyed Jesus. (Luke 17:11-19)
In this case, it took more than one touch from Jesus to heal the blind man. Sometimes Jesus laid hands on people, other times He did not. Occasionally Jesus pointed to the faith of the person as being the key for the healing. Other times, touching His garment healed them or His shadow falling on them brought healing. We even have cases of the disciples anointing with oil in the healing process.
But there is more. Jesus sometimes did healing in public and other times in private. He sometimes told people to go and tell their story, yet other times He admonished them to tell no one. In this case He told the blind man to return home without entering the village.
The more I study healing from a biblical perspective, the more exposed my false presumptions become. I have much to learn, but I am convinced the problem with dismal results is rooted within me and not a lack of power or will from Jesus. He still holds the office of the Great Physician. He is still in the business of healing people and setting them free.
I am developing a growing faith and tenacity when it comes to this subject. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
I no longer shun or explain away biblical texts that deal with deliverance, healing or miracles. I am starting to double down when ministering to people and appeal to the authority of Jesus Christ and the power of His name. I am starting to understand and apply the Bible literally in these area’s.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
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