Gospel

Why Did It Take Two Times?

by Roland Crim
09/21/19
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They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into the village.” Mark 8:22-26 NIV

This particular miracle of Jesus is only recorded in Mark’s gospel. There are a couple of distinct events here. First, Jesus led this man by the hand outside of the village. Notice that the blind man had not asked Jesus to do anything for Him. The people who brought the blind man to Jesus were the ones who asked Him to heal the man. Maybe this man had not heard of Jesus, or believed that He could not, or would not cure his blindness. Jesus wanted the man to get acquainted with Him and feel comfortable in His presence. Does not the Lord call us to a quiet place to commune with Him rather than trying to reach us in all the noise of this world?

Secondly, the man was not instantly healed when Jesus touched his eyes. Was Jesus losing His power to perform miracles? Hardly! I believe it was caused by the man’s lack of great faith. Notice that the man’s response to Jesus’ question seems to almost be a matter of fact reply. No excitement or sense of anticipation appears to exist in the reply. Jesus wanted the man to see a little to hopefully wake up faith within this man before totally restoring his sight. Have you noticed that when God answers your prayers, it is often over a period of time? Christ wishes to see one’s faith grow as He responds to our requests. What a beautiful gift is faith which grows. Do not grow impatient when your requests are not immediately answered by the Lord. He shall provide, but in His time, not ours.