mark 8:22-26 :: Jesus heals a blind man at bethsaida

why does it take two touches from Jesus from Jesus to heal the blind man? usually when Jesus heals someone it is instantaeous and complete. but this time is different…why?

Jesus is approached by an unknown to us number of people with this blind man. they want Jesus to touch him and heal him. but why? is it because they care about the man? or is it because they want to see something extraordinary? are they concerned about his well being, or do they want a show? we aren’t told anything about their relationship to this man, and so we are left in the dark.

whatever their motivation, Jesus didn’t want the village square to be the location for the change in this man’s life. He wasn’t going to let this man be used as a source of entertainment…He acknowledges the man’s humanity, and is sensitive to what needs to be done, and how things need to be handled here. so He gently guides him out of the center of attention, and performs the first part of the healing. up until now, we know nothing of the motivation of the man. we don’t know if he came willingly, or if he was coerced or tricked. so Jesus just does a partial healing so the man can either get a mental glimpse of what is going on, or for the sake of this man’s faith. in only healing him from blindness to a bad glaucoma, Jesus is giving the man the chance to believe on his own that something can indeed be done for him, that healing and wholeness is on its way.

there is no weakness on Jesus part here. He knows what needs to be done, and how it needs to be done so that the man can come to believe on his own, and not through the pushiness of those around him come to a forced conversion. and very lovingly, Jesus sends him around the long way home to his family first. had he walked through the village, those who had rounded him up would have had a time of sport and questioning. this may not have been the brightest man in town, and an object of ridicule to many. i can’t say for sure, but my guess is that he was not treated with great esteem.

so rather than have the man tormented with questions and prodding, Jesus simply sends him home to those who will love and care for him, and be honsetly happy for him in his new found sight.

Jesus never comes up short, and He is always looking to guide us in the way that is best for us. the healed man could have walked through town to show off, but things probably wouldn’t have gone well for him. and so hopefully, he made his way home safely to those who had been caring for him.

sometimes things don’t always work out exactly they way we would hope at first…but God’s plan and route for us is better and will work for our benefit, not to our harm, in His timing.