“Can You See Anything?”

Scripture:

  They came to Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and when he had put saliva on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Can you see anything?” And the man looked up and said, “I can see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he looked intently and his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Then he sent him away to his home, saying, “Do not even go into the village.”

(Mark 8:22–26 NRSV)

Observation:

This whole passage is normally interpreted in light of the faith of the disciples. They are the ones who are struggling in their faith. We have seen this in the last few passages and it seems the journey to complete and total faith in Jesus will not be easy. The two stages of healing are thought to be prophetic, emphasizing the work that still needs to be done for the disciples faith to come to completion. 

Application:

If the blind man is to represent the disciples, and even those of us who today follow Christ, then there must be things that we can learn from him. As I’ve thought about this blind man, I’ve tried to imagine the context. A man who is blind, who lives, day in and day out begging in the village of Bethsaida has friends who come to him and want to introduce him to Jesus. The motivation of the friends may have been two fold: his blindness may have been a burden to them, or they were moved with compassion that their friend may have his sight restored. Whichever the case, one could easily imagine that it is the friends who have the faith, and not the blind man. 

This passage ought to encourage us to be a people who pray for those who need the healing touch of the master. We shouldn’t just stop at praying for those with needs, but we ought to be actively engaged in their healing. The friends brought the man to Jesus so that they could encounter the healing. 

If the man had no faith, he may have been brought, kicking and screaming to Jesus. For this reason, Jesus may have insisted on him coming out of the village. He wasn’t prepared to be healed and needed to experience Jesus for who he was. A blind man would not have seen the things that Jesus had done and nor could he look upon his face. This may be why Jesus put saliva on the man’s eyes and laid his hands on him. The man had to feel Jesus at work and this began to stir up his faith. Ancient texts show us that doctors used spit as a way of healing eye infections. These eye infections were not uncommon in a part of the world where one experienced a hot, dry, and dusty climate combined with poor hygiene. 

Away from the crowds the man was having a one on one experience with the Master. Usually when people cried out for healing, Jesus would respond that their faith had made them whole. The first half of this miracle may have been done to stir up the man’s faith. Suddenly there is a sense of excitement in his words. I can see things...not clearly...but I’m beginning to see. This is not just physical, but it is spiritual. The man is beginning to comprehend who Jesus is and therefore, now the healing can be made complete.

Completion of the healing occurs in the second act. As a person who has been made whole, he has no need to return to the village. Begging is no longer necessary as a means of sustenance. His friend’s lives are transformed as well, for this man is now restored as a whole and complete member of society. 

And somewhere in all of this, we find ourselves. We may be the friends, praying for another. We may be the blind man stumbling around in our spiritual journey. The journey may have already begun and yet, there is a struggle of faith. 

Wherever we are in this story, we are encouraged to keep pressing on until we are made entirely whole through the work of Jesus Christ. Complete restoration as meaningful and contributing members of the kingdom is promised for all. Until then, Jesus asks us, “Can you see anything?” If not, use all the resources you have available to boost your faith and continue to grow in grace. 

Prayer:

Lord, I want to know you more. Amen.