“And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything. And he looked up and said, ‘I see men like trees walking.’ Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everything clearly.” Mark 8:23b-25

Progressive Healing

 Just when I think I have victory over an old habit, it rears its ugly head! When reading this section in Mark, it spoke to my heart of the Lord’s tender hand and progressive steps as He teaches, restores, and heals. This was the only time in the gospels where He performs a progressive healing (according to commentaries).

This is an interesting passage. First of all, the man had caring friends. “They brought the blind man to Him and begged Him to touch him” (verse 22). Then, Jesus leads him out of town (maybe not wanting to make it a show?) and He uses His own spit. Perhaps the guy’s eyes were gummed together as would be normal for someone who couldn’t see to take care of them, and Jesus was physically, tenderly, touching and separating his eyelids.

I love this picture of Jesus’ tender care. In our day, human body fluids aren’t a “clean” thing. But I remember when I was little my mom would use her spit to clean off a dirt spot on my face for a quick fix. I didn’t say “oooo, uck!” (or maybe I did). But I don’t think this blind man did. He was very happy and blessed Jesus paid attention and intimately healed with “holy” spit.

In the verses before this, Jesus is rebuking the disciples for their spiritual blindness and slow understanding. He used this also for a teaching moment, showing them and us the diversity of His healings. Some things, such as the healing of our spiritual blindness, take time. Our sinful habits are practiced over time, and the Lord has to pry some things out of our lives. This man first saw “men like trees walking,” then he saw clearly.

How long does it take for our spiritual blindness to turn from vagueness to clarity? We have a great need for focused prayer so that we may pay attention to His teaching and leading. We can fall into and accept His capable healing hands, allowing His touch, even if it happens with spit or something uncomfortable. We also can lead our spiritually blind friends to the Savior’s touch.

I’m stunned by Jesus’ patience and care to reveal truth and clarity in our lives. May we pay attention to His teaching moments and not resist, lingering half healed, but rather allow Him to finish His process.

“Lord, may we be willing to allow You to completely heal and restore, no matter how long it takes, willing to learn through the process, and bringing our blind friends with us. You are our faithful Savior who never gives up. Help us to press through our blindness to see You clearly. In Jesus mighty Name, Amen.”