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A Saviors Touch
In many of the miracles, healings that Jesus did it included the touch of the Savior, this is one of those instances in our passage today.
But what about the spiritual touch the apostles needed and we need, can we see that here today too?
The healing ministry of Jesus was foretold by the prophets (Isa61:1; Lk4:18)
While this quote from Luke is a partial quote of Isa61:1 it is a good quote and fits to our passage today.
They were used as evidence of identity to John the Baptist (Lk7:20-22)
Like this man we were blind, for us, for the apostles, spiritually speaking but by the touch of the Savior we and they were given eyes to see.
Not only eyes to see, but eyes to see clearly.
The healing of the blind man at Bethsaida is unique in a couple of ways
It is only found in the Gospel of Mark
It is the only miracle that happens in stages.
The touch of the Savior on us gives us eyes to see, but it is over time that we grow and we learn to see all things like Jesus does, so our true sight comes over time too.
So may we look at this passage today and see
First, the narrative
Second, some observations
Finally, a conclusion
Mk
What did you see, what did you notice, what sticks out to you?
The Narrative
(Bethsaida picture)
The travelling and healing ministry of Jesus here in Bethsaida we will see willing friends after the arrival.
We see Jesus and a personal touch, and a healing in stages and instructions to follow.
Bethsaida is where Jesus and his travelling companions (aka apostles) have now gotten to by boat.
Bethsaida is located on the NE side of the Sea of Galilee, this is the area near where Jesus was previously when fed the 5000 (Lk9:10)
So, here are our questions to start
How did “they” get to Bethsaida (v.22) you will have to look back to find answer
In looking back at Mk8:13 you can see that they were leaving the region of Dalmanutha where Jesus had been challenged.
How did the blind man come to Jesus (v.22)?
He had friends who brought him to Jesus; does this sound familiar to you, we have seen that before with the paralytic man (Mk2:3)
Don’t we all need friends and to be friends who bring us to Jesus and we bring people to Jesus?
What did “they” to Jesus (v.22)?
They implored Jesus to touch him.
again, does that sound familiar?
(you can see that in (Lk5:12 ) in the Luke version of the paralytic
What did Jesus do (v.23)?
Jesus took him away from the crowd, again, does that sound familiar?
Remember the deaf/mute in MK7:33 He did the same thing
Jesus is not about making a spectacle but about being special.
Not about the crowd but for the concern of the man and His purpose.
Jesus wants to get us alone and be personal with us through His Word; by His Spirit.
Sure nothing wrong with crowds but salvation and growth happen on the person.
I mentioned about
What were results in (v.24)?
He was able to see; but everything was a blur
You have to admire his honesty
What happened in (v.25)?
Jesus touched Him again; and was able to see everything clearly
Isn’t that like us?
When we come to Jesus we can see, but not everything clearly.
But as the Lord continues to teach us through His Word we are able to see things more clearly, to have wisdom and understanding
What were instructions in (v.26)?
Don’t tell anyone!
Why do you think He said that; again, does that sound familiar?
- you can look up Lk5:12-16 for more on that.
So in summary we can see
Jesus and the apostles arrive by boat
Friends bring the blind man to Jesus and implore Jesus touch
Jesus heals him, but in two stages
Jesus instructs Him to not say anything.
Some Observations
Having broken down the passage and gleaned from it, now let’s make some observations and application from it.
Do you wonder why Jesus did things the way He did?
Why did He take the blind man away privately?
Why didn’t the man get perfect sight the first time?
I think it maybe apparent Jesus does not do things the same way in every circumstance
Just compare some of the blind men healings (Mt9:27-31; Mt12:22; Mt20:30-34; Mk10:46-52 and Jn9:1-7)
May we look at a couple of the other healings but I want to reference them all.
In Mt9:27-31 and Mt20:30-34 the healing was by the touch of the blind men’s eyes
In Mt12:22 all we are told is that he was healed
We know in our story the man was healed by spittle and the touch
We know in our story the man was healed by spittle and the touch
In Mk10:46-52 we see blind Bartimaeus healed by the Word
Mk10
So prayer is not always answered the same way is it?
Spiritual growth happens in stages
Again, look at Mk8:18 the disciples needed to grow.
Well maybe we better look in context
Mk8:16-17
We too should expect spiritual growth to occur over time too (1Cor3:1-2; 2Pt3:18)
and add
Look back at (v.24)
Mk
You have to love the man’s honesty, he was blind now he can see, but only in a blur. he had been touched by the Lord and his eyes were opened and was able to see, but was not able to see clearly, see everything could he?
When you and I were touched by the Lord we did not see everything, did not see clearly, we saw the forgiveness of sins.
But we could not see people clearly yet like Jesus did.
We still had some of the same biases that we had prior to baptism.
For loving God, seeing Jesus is great but it has to go further doesn’t it (1Jn4:20) ?
We are commanded to love God and our neighbors (Mt22:35-40)
Oh, and love our enemies (Mt5:44)
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May we be willing to have a little spit in our eyes if it helps to bring about being able to see things clearly, how to love our neighbors, how to love our enemies, how to learn and grow spiritually so we can see clearly.
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The double touch by Jesus brings me hope.
I need His touch daily.
I need to have His touch so I can see clearly and look beyond the trees.
You know those trees that can block our view like our past, our history.
From past hurts, and squashed hopes to those we love who don’t walk in the Lord.
I need, we need His touch until the day He comes to call us home!
May we be like the man
and look up and look intently at Jesus and be able to see clearly.
So one more quick point
Maybe the apostles needed the teaching, the reminding that Jesus always will take care of things, will always provide, remember what they just went through, they forgot bread for the journey and forgot Jesus provision.
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