One of the key signs of the Messiah was healing the blind. I just did a quick scan of the Old Testament, and I can’t think of a single instance where a blind person received his (or her) sight.
In the Gospel of Mark Jesus heals two. In chapter 8 He healed a blind man in Bethsaida (8:22-26) in two tries, spitting on his eyes and laying on his hands, and in chapter 10, Jesus heals Bartimaeus without even touching him.
Why the difference?
I believe that Jesus performed these two miracles differently as a sort of commentary on what was happening. In chapter 8, the disciples are confused by Jesus teachings, despite the fact they saw Jesus feed 5000 and 4000, walk on water, and heal many sick people. They don’t quite get it. They’re like the blind man at Bethsaida after the first healing, “I see men, but they look like trees, walking.” The disciples see, but they don’t see clearly.
Right after this Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ. But when Jesus predicts his death and resurrection, Peter “rebuked” Jesus, and in turn go called Satan by Jesus. Peter sees, but not quite right – like a blind man who sees people who look like trees.
When Jesus healed Bartimaeus, it follows the third time he predicts his death and resurrection. And even though it is clear that the disciples haven’t fully “seen” what Jesus is doing, as James and John ask for special honors in the Kingdom, it’s about to become very clear.
The verses immediately after the healing of Bartimaeus take us into the last week of Jesus’ life. We are headed directly for the cross and empty tomb. Jesus’ predictions are going to be clearly seen.
Will the disciples understand as they see it all unfold in front of them? No. They don’t really become fully confident of this message of Jesus’ death and resurrection for our salvation until Pentecost, but after that they’re willing to die for that message – because they’ve seen clearly.
Seeing the reality of Jesus’ salvation is hard sometimes. We see that we still sin. We see that our brothers and sisters hurt our feelings. We see their flaws and imperfections. We see the injustice in the world. Where is the salvation? Where is the hope?
It’s there. But we can only see it by faith. Only by faith can we see our sin and see our forgiveness. Only by faith can we see our brothers and sisters misdeeds and see people loved by the Lord . . . and therefore loved by us. Only by faith can we see the pain and injustice of the world and see God patiently working out His plan to bring eternal salvation to those same people and to us.
I wish I could say that I see clearly all the time; that I see the spiritual forces at work, and the ends of the different paths that we might take. I don’t, and sometimes I choose wrongly because of my imperfect sight. But Jesus’ forgiveness is a constant in our lives, and he is the Good Shepherd. He sees. He forgives. And by His Holy Spirit, He guides us in the paths we should go.
In the Gospel of Mark Jesus heals two. In chapter 8 He healed a blind man in Bethsaida (8:22-26) in two tries, spitting on his eyes and laying on his hands, and in chapter 10, Jesus heals Bartimaeus without even touching him.
Why the difference?
I believe that Jesus performed these two miracles differently as a sort of commentary on what was happening. In chapter 8, the disciples are confused by Jesus teachings, despite the fact they saw Jesus feed 5000 and 4000, walk on water, and heal many sick people. They don’t quite get it. They’re like the blind man at Bethsaida after the first healing, “I see men, but they look like trees, walking.” The disciples see, but they don’t see clearly.
Right after this Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ. But when Jesus predicts his death and resurrection, Peter “rebuked” Jesus, and in turn go called Satan by Jesus. Peter sees, but not quite right – like a blind man who sees people who look like trees.
When Jesus healed Bartimaeus, it follows the third time he predicts his death and resurrection. And even though it is clear that the disciples haven’t fully “seen” what Jesus is doing, as James and John ask for special honors in the Kingdom, it’s about to become very clear.
The verses immediately after the healing of Bartimaeus take us into the last week of Jesus’ life. We are headed directly for the cross and empty tomb. Jesus’ predictions are going to be clearly seen.
Will the disciples understand as they see it all unfold in front of them? No. They don’t really become fully confident of this message of Jesus’ death and resurrection for our salvation until Pentecost, but after that they’re willing to die for that message – because they’ve seen clearly.
Seeing the reality of Jesus’ salvation is hard sometimes. We see that we still sin. We see that our brothers and sisters hurt our feelings. We see their flaws and imperfections. We see the injustice in the world. Where is the salvation? Where is the hope?
It’s there. But we can only see it by faith. Only by faith can we see our sin and see our forgiveness. Only by faith can we see our brothers and sisters misdeeds and see people loved by the Lord . . . and therefore loved by us. Only by faith can we see the pain and injustice of the world and see God patiently working out His plan to bring eternal salvation to those same people and to us.
I wish I could say that I see clearly all the time; that I see the spiritual forces at work, and the ends of the different paths that we might take. I don’t, and sometimes I choose wrongly because of my imperfect sight. But Jesus’ forgiveness is a constant in our lives, and he is the Good Shepherd. He sees. He forgives. And by His Holy Spirit, He guides us in the paths we should go.
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