"Do We Have Limited Vision?" (Mark 8:22-26)

Introduction

This passage starts out with yet another passionate request for Jesus to heal someone – in this case a person who had become blind. There were many diseases or infections at this time, that could severely affect people’s sight. And of course, with no welfare system, such people would easily become destitute. Therefore, naturally, out of compassion, and out of concern for this person’s future well-being, Jesus would heal him.

Yet, we notice that before and after this healing, Jesus took steps to heal this person quietly; for Jesus wanted to be known as far more than simply a healer – healing the sick actually being a ‘sign’ … a ‘sign’ of Jesus’ divinity, and of the broader nature of his incarnation. Jesus didn’t want more of the wrong sort of publicity.

And there was another reason why this healing was done outside the public gaze. The way this healing would play out, was designed to teach Jesus’ disciples an important lesson. This healing, which was more like … an acted out parable, had a much bigger story to tell. This healing, which happened behind the scenes, was very much about what the first disciples (and we that follow) needed to learn!

Background

In the previous passages leading up to this incident, Jesus’ disciples were continually unable to understand the meaning of what Jesus was doing and the words that he was saying. We should NOT judge them too much, because they were largely coming out of a rigid religious culture based on rules, which is very different in focus … to a spiritual movement based on grace. They lacked the reference points they needed to fully comprehend what Jesus was up to.

As they had left everything to follow Jesus, they clearly had received the first touch, but in at least some ways had stalled. We can be in this position as well, unless we consider the ways in which the teaching of Jesus touches everyday life. Without this deeper reflection and application of Jesus’ teaching, we tend to finish up … with only a series of propositions, and a narrow view of life. With only surface roots, we can be easily blown by the wind and distracted; yet we see in this passage how such possibilities can be remedied.

Story

Craig Greenfield tells the story of a man he knew who ran a strip club. This strip club owner became a Christian, and started attending a Bible study group. One day he came into his Bible study group, announcing, “God has been speaking to me”. He went on to say … he now understood … what he had been doing was not right – that he’d seen the error of his ways. His Bible study mates expected to hear that he now understood about the crass exploitation of vulnerable young women at his strip club, but what he said was … that he was going to stop watering down the drinks at the bar! Sometimes we learn slowly.

Ancient Healing

Jesus used traditional methods of applying what was believed to be therapeutic saliva, with a personal touch, to heal this blind man. Normally this would have been enough. The level of faith expressed here was NOT an issue and never mentioned. This reminds us that Jesus is free to act according to his own will and purposes … with whoever and whenever. So, as I’ve said, there’s something else being demonstrated here.

When Jesus asked this man what he could see, the response was about seeing people who looked more like trees walking. This reminds me of those ads featuring Fred Hollows, where, following his treatment, people gradually begin to see. Now, from where this particular man was coming from, i.e. complete blindness, even this partial sight was very good news … and you would celebrate this. But very soon, you would see the potential of this sort of healing power, and want to go the whole way towards perfect sight – wouldn’t you?!

There is here, built into this incident, the possible interpretation around those who initially accept Jesus, but don’t take the opportunity to move on toward fuller understanding. This is where the disciples of the time were at. You could consider that they were still in that space of considering what they wanted to get out of Jesus, rather than considering the bigger picture … of what it was supposed to mean for others … that they had come to faith – the greater purpose of their salvation.

When Jesus asks this man, “Can you see anything”, he neither answers “yes” or “no”! This is because he is in transition from blindness to full sight. It’s NOT that he can’t see at all, it’s that he just can’t see that well yet!

Jesus, by again touching this man on the eyes, demonstrated that there was bigger and better and fuller vision available. When the man came to look “intently” around him, we read of an equally remarkable outcome (to the first part of the miracle) – from a bit of a blur … “he saw everything clearly”! This lesson laid the groundwork for Jesus’ disciples to look deeper. As we know, they would still struggle to see, that is, until after the resurrection. But when they did see, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, they then turned the world right-side up.

Modern Application

We have more reference points than the first disciples did. We have the New Testament, and 20 centuries of discussion about what the life of Jesus on earth means, and how this knowledge should be applied. We know who Jesus is! Yet, we still have the need to have our eyes opened fully. Whether this takes a short time, or a longer time, this must be our desire. For otherwise, we see no better than an aimless world! This was the problem Judas had. We can, if we are not alert, leave discipleship behind, and slip back to unbelief.

Do we want to see people who look like trees walking, or do we want to see life as God sees life? Do we want to wonder what is happening, or be able to engage in solutions?? We don’t have to wait for the resurrection or the coming of the Holy Spirit! We have that already!! We just need to say, ‘Open the eyes of my heart, Lord’ or ‘Be thou my vision, Lord’ … and mean it! We can gain perfect (spiritual) sight!! Then, our various different seasons and experiences open further opportunities for new insight (and greater spiritual maturity)!

As we view our own lives, if Jesus asked us today, “Can you see anything”? or “What do you see”? … what would be our answer?? … and what would we need to actually see more clearly? What would a second touch of Jesus’ fingers on our eyes mean to us?? Are we still open enough, for long enough, for Jesus to touch our eyes again (as needed)? Do we want this? What would this mean?? Total sight is available in the hands of the Great Physician!

Ways of Seeing Better

1. Being able to remember well. If our eyes are open (and our mind is cleared of certain impediments), we will be better able to remember all of what Jesus has done for us, and all of what Jesus means to us. When challenges and difficulties come, we will quickly remember the value of the cross and resurrection to us, the power of the Holy Spirit given to us, and the answers to prayer that we have readily experienced. Jesus has taken away the guilt and shame attached to sin, and replaced this with a sense of acceptance and belonging. When those difficulties and challenges come [or even in those times where life seems to come easily], rather than returning to ‘worldly human type’ (as if we never knew Jesus after all) … resulting in fear and chaos, we will know that Jesus is with us (at our side), loving us, guiding us, carrying us, teaching us, prompting us, praying for us.

2. Being open for something new. Even though our memory is important, NOT everything we have learned in the past is necessarily right. We can’t afford to get bogged down uncritically in limited ideas and opinions, but rather be prepared to grow, develop, change, refine our ideas and expand our horizons. There is so much more light and truth to flow out from God’s Word (and our experience of prayer and of prayerful reflection) – that can all revolutionise our lives individually and together! That is why we have to get into the Bible, and not just privately, but in forums like our worship services and home groups, where we can discuss it, and learn together how to apply it. No one sees God’s truth all at once – we need to keep working on it. As William Barclay puts it, the riches of Christ Jesus are inexhaustible, and there is always more to learn about the infinite wonder and beauty of this Jesus.

[For example, when the people of Nineveh actually repented, Jonah the prophet/messenger, was unimpressed. Jonah would have preferred God to wipe them all out! Why?! Because Jonah was stuck in the mindset … that these people were horrible and hopeless and would never amount to anything. Jonah had NOT yet seen … how he should be deeply moved by the people of Nineveh’s dire situation. Jonah had a real problem with his spiritual eyesight. God (through a very confronting vision), challenged Jonah to change his attitude to this, and come to celebrate the potential for people’s lives to be turned around. This was the second touch that Jonah’s eyes needed! The book of Jonah closes in suspense (4:11), as to whether Jonah would get this, and grow in his knowledge of what God was about … or not!]

3. Being able to see that God is active. We need to be able to fully appreciate what God is doing around us and get involved with this. I see everyday how God is opening opportunities for people to be blessed and encouraged (by us). In the cafes, at the football and netball, down the street, around the neighbourhood, in that community group, as newcomers are welcomed, as money is raised for good causes, as fires are put out, as lost dogs are reunited with their family, as Rita Rodgers is picked up off the ground again. Do we really understand that God is up and about, presenting possibilities of His presence to people, and saying “come on Warren … get on board”! God’s hand is at work all the time … and everywhere (L Peabody).

Why would we ever doubt that our new worship centre will be filled one day!? Why would we consider certain doors to be closed? We might find ourselves thinking that no one is interested in our message – I think we need to put that thought aside! Why wouldn’t God be ‘out and about’ seeking to connect with people who He loves so much (and regrets being estranged from). After all, he connected with us! The hunger and thirst is already being created – the harvest is plentiful! And, the product … that is, the Gospel … is really incredible! So heads up … let’s be expectant for who God will bring across our path. 

Instead of only being consumers - where we live … only thinking about what living here (in this beautiful setting) gives us - we should be thinking about how we can cultivate the soil i.e. preparing the community for the seeds of the Gospel! 

4. Being patient with other people. We can easily judge, get frustrated, and break fellowship with people … when they disappoint us in a variety of ways. However, as much as we may try at times, we can never fully walk in their shoes nor fully know what they have endured in their lives. To see others with clear vision, is to accept that they are on a journey, they are a work in progress (like we ourselves are), and that what we should really look for … is the person they could be … with Jesus fully released in their lives. People cannot necessarily be as faithful, available and teachable … now … as we would like them to be. What a difference it could make, if our minds were set on encouragement, love, prayer and relationship building – keeping the faith that God can do amazing things and thereby radically change lives. Rather than bemoaning any lack of commitment, we should be eagerly waiting for surprises how people eventually step up!

Conclusion

Sometimes we only see with limited vision – seeing people and events around us … as somewhat incidental – there is a bit of a blur … people looking like trees walking – people being seen in an abstract rather than a personal way. What we need to see well, are events around us that are shaping the very history in which we live; people who are lost, lonely, struggling, suffering, seeking; and a God who is actively moving through all this – providing signs of His loving presence and availability, responding to the prayers of His faithful people, reaching out to people with grace, and inviting us to partner with Him in being like Jesus – putting flesh and bones around God’s love.

Sometimes, with all the suffering and tragedy in the world, we may doubt this … we may doubt God’s presence. Yet, this is our prompt to remember all of what God has done in the past, resist negativity and defensiveness, get on the front foot, and live for Jesus. This is our prompt to reflect on what often happens when tragedy strikes. There is so much good being done in community, when people in human solidarity (irrespective of faith) rush to help others in need. We see this when people are drastically affected through drought, fire, earthquake and flood – and people respond with compassion, sacrificial service and practical support.

We should be able to attribute this to a, largely unseen, yet, really good God. God can work wonders; which we will be able to see with eyes wide open! It is fortunate for us, that God perseveres in seeking to touch our eyes, on a continual basis … so that we might see clearly, that we might have adequate vision – to fully follow Jesus in this life (and into the next)! As Paul wrote to the Philippians (1:6), “I am confident of this, that the One who began a good work among you, will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ”. God wants to give us the strength, courage AND CLARITY that we need … through which to persevere and to thrive (in following Jesus). This is my prayer for you, and for me. Amen!