Spit in my eyes, Jesus

Mark 8:22 They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23 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?” 24 He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” 25 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.

Probably wondered where Sunday Mail went again? I was reading and this passage struck me as something that God was trying to tell me. I wondered why the spit and why a double touch.

A blind man, not much was said about him, except his friends brought him to Jesus, presumably to be healed. Jesus lead the man outside the village. No mention whether they ended up alone, but with Jesus’ following I rather doubt it.

Then Jesus spit on the man’s eyes. I don’t know about you but if someone spit in my face it would cause quite a reaction from me. Anger, wonder, indignation. What was Jesus’ reasoning for spitting? The man’s friends just wanted Jesus to touch him. Was Jesus intent with the spit to stir up some emotion? To fire this man up? To get his attention?

Then Jesus touched him and asked “what do you see?”

The man saw shadows. Was there a lack of faith in the healing process?

Then Jesus touches him again and he sees clearly.

What is going on here? Jesus doesn’t need to “heal” twice. Why is this man in need of an additional touch.

My thoughts here ….

Jesus taking the blind man by the hand, and leading him out or the town, and spitting on his eyes, and putting his hands upon him, and then asking him what he could see, are what Jesus does when He enters our life, when Jesus turns men from darkness to light: he takes them by the hand, offers His grace and mercy, and becomes their guide and leader.

By leading the man out of the village, Jesus brings this man on a path he is not familiar with.

When Jesus touches the man for a second time, he is stating even though we can’t see clearly yet He will continue His good work in us and not forsake us.

When you are walking in darkness, allow Jesus to stir up some emotion and touch you. As your sight begins to be restored, Jesus will be there to touch you again, so that you sight (your life) will be restored..