"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?" And he looked up and said, "I see men, for I see them like trees, walking around." Then again He laid His hands on his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and began to see everything clearly." Mark 8:23-25
This miracle of Jesus is the only "two-stage" miracle recorded. As we read, he partially healed a blind man and then brought full and complete healing a short time later.
So, why a partial healing prior to a full healing? Was Jesus unable to heal the man completely at one time? Perish the thought. Surely there is another explanation, and it may very well be this one: Jesus worked with the man's developing faith in restoring his sight. We notice that with Jesus' second touch "he looked intently and was restored." The intent look of the formerly blind man was a key factor in the full restoration of his sight.
It is not coincidental that the account of Peter's great confession as to the true identity of Jesus follows this account (Mark 8:27-30). It seems to be a spiritual "two-stage" miracle in seeing. As Jesus asks, “Who do people say that I am?” (verse 27), there is a parallel to the vague physical sight of the formerly blind man. Various opinions and general insights abound, but the real sight issue is, "But who do you say that I am?” (verse 29). What are you seeing and believing concerning Jesus?
Those who have a basic faith and interest in Jesus are given a rudimentary opening of their spiritual eyes. But, like the partially-healed blind man, it becomes our responsibility to "look intently" into scripture for a full and clear revelation of Jesus. "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me" (John 5:39).
What others think or say about Jesus may be interesting, but what you are learning and seeing of Him personally is of the utmost importance. May your eyes be wide open spiritually such that you embrace Him fully in faith as Savior and Lord.
©Steve Taylor, 2022 --Used by permission
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