The Blind Man at Bethsaida (Mark 8:22-26)
Note first that Jesus did not heal the man in the village proper but cured his blindness outside of the town (vv. 22–23).
Second, Jesus' use of His spittle in the healing was unusual, though not unprecedented (7:31–37; John 9:1–7).
Finally, the healing described in Mark 8:22–26 stands out for being the only healing in the Gospels that occurs in stages. In his commentary Mark, Dr. R.C. Sproul theorizes that the movement from incomplete healing to the full restoration of the man's sight said something about the disciples. Complete hardness in heart was not the reason they still did not understand who Jesus was after His miracles (see vv. 14–21). In fact, their continued presence with Him shows that they had started to see dimly, enabling them to begin to know Christ's true identity. Yet, they had not yet come to know Jesus in His fullness. Jesus would have to do more to open their eyes and hearts to see Him as the promised Savior of the world.
Coram Deo
That Jesus may work in a manner that seems slower in some cases than in others—such as the blind man in Bethsaida—is encouraging. It tells us that we should not give up on those who seem to be hardened the most against the gospel. God may yet change their hearts, so we should continue praying for them and preaching the gospel to them as we have the opportunity.
This article was first published in Tabletalk, the Bible study magazine of Ligonier Ministries. Find out more at TabletalkMagazine.com or try it free for three months today at TryTabletalk.com.
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