Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida
Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida
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. 26 Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into the village.”
Reflection: With every healing Jesus performed we see different aspects of the kingdom coming here on earth as it is in heaven. Of course being 100% God, he could have healed anybody with one word or one touch, but it would appear that each time he heals someone he is teaching us something new about how healing in His name works. We also see another general principle that when he heals someone sometimes it is done in private and other times it is done in public. And generally they are sent home with the admonition to not tell anyone. This is presumably so that his ultimate confrontation with the establishment could be staved off a little longer.
And in this particular instance when he makes the first effort to heal the blind man, there is only partial healing. He checks in with the man and he can see people, but his sight is distorted. He sees people but they look like walking trees. So Jesus puts his hands on the man again, and his sight is restored fully. Again it is not as if Jesus could not have healed him on the first try, but this instance reminds us to keep praying even if we don't see immediate results. It also reminds us to check in and ask how the person is doing in the healing process.
A lot of times in our healing ministries we have an all or nothing mentality. When we don't see results right away we think our prayers are ineffective or we don't have the gift. But the bottom line is just as love never fails nor do prayers for healing ever fail to incarnate in the compassion of one person for another in Jesus' name. And we know all healing is temporary anyways. Last time I checked 100% of all people die. Not to be morbid but to realize that ultimate healing will come when Jesus welcomes us home. Until then God leaves us here to live out life as his child and share the Good News in word and deed and when given the opportunity to pray for healing for others.
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. 26 Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into the village.”
Reflection: With every healing Jesus performed we see different aspects of the kingdom coming here on earth as it is in heaven. Of course being 100% God, he could have healed anybody with one word or one touch, but it would appear that each time he heals someone he is teaching us something new about how healing in His name works. We also see another general principle that when he heals someone sometimes it is done in private and other times it is done in public. And generally they are sent home with the admonition to not tell anyone. This is presumably so that his ultimate confrontation with the establishment could be staved off a little longer.
And in this particular instance when he makes the first effort to heal the blind man, there is only partial healing. He checks in with the man and he can see people, but his sight is distorted. He sees people but they look like walking trees. So Jesus puts his hands on the man again, and his sight is restored fully. Again it is not as if Jesus could not have healed him on the first try, but this instance reminds us to keep praying even if we don't see immediate results. It also reminds us to check in and ask how the person is doing in the healing process.
A lot of times in our healing ministries we have an all or nothing mentality. When we don't see results right away we think our prayers are ineffective or we don't have the gift. But the bottom line is just as love never fails nor do prayers for healing ever fail to incarnate in the compassion of one person for another in Jesus' name. And we know all healing is temporary anyways. Last time I checked 100% of all people die. Not to be morbid but to realize that ultimate healing will come when Jesus welcomes us home. Until then God leaves us here to live out life as his child and share the Good News in word and deed and when given the opportunity to pray for healing for others.
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