[Jesus] asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.”
Mark 8:23-24
We have seen what Jesus does for His people. He overcomes resistance in His people. He cleanses the hearts of His people. Now we will see how Jesus Christ gives sight—the ability to discern spiritual things—to His people.
Here we see a healing begun but not yet complete. When Jesus touches this blind man’s eyes, he has some sight, but what he sees is blurry. People look like trees walking. That’s not twenty-twenty vision. So Jesus puts His hands on the man’s eyes a second time. “Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly” (8:25).
We see many miracles in Mark’s gospel. In each case, the glory of Jesus is revealed through instant and complete healing. But in this one case, Jesus heals the man in two stages. First, he sees in part, then he sees clearly.
Why does Jesus heal this man in two stages? Jesus is using this miracle to teach us. The story begins with a man who does not see. Then he sees in part. Then he sees clearly.
This is a picture of what is happening to the disciples. First, they do not see (8:14-21). Then, they see in part (8:27-33). Then we have the promise of a day when they will see clearly (9:1-13). Jesus is teaching us that spiritual understanding is a gift from God that He brings gradually and progressively to His people.
The Apostle Paul tells us that “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). As we continue, we will see a rebuke, a correction, and a marvellous promise.
Between the stages of “not seeing” and “seeing in part,” where would you put yourself today in terms of your ability to discern spiritual things?
