Mark 8:22-26 | I Corinthians 13:11-12
Sometimes humans put too much expectation on themselves to get everything right on the first try. Or immediately. Or without any mistakes.
(Perhaps this isn’t you. Just bear with the rest of us for a moment.)
Sinfulness is often regarded as the biggest barrier between humanity and God’s kingdom. And sinfulness is a pretty big deal. But another significant barrier between humanity and God is this ridiculous notion that we have to get everything right before approaching Jesus. …that we have to be perfected to receive the love of God.
This two-stage healing of the blind man should be comforting to us if we let it. Why did Jesus have to have two gos at the healing? (By the way, don’t miss the return of his spittle method.) Is it because he messed up the first time? Didn’t get it right? Was Jesus initially incapable? Was it something the blind man did (or didn’t do)?
…are these the right questions?
Many commentaries on this little story go to great length to explain how this part of Mark is full of examples wherein it is demonstrated that discipleship comes in stages. This is the comforting part: Seeing God’s Kingdom may not happen all at once. We must be diligent but patient with ourselves. Listen for Christ’s voice and do what he says and vision will become clearer as we go along.
Mark 8:22-26
Jesus and his disciples came to Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man to Jesus and begged him to touch and heal him. Taking the blind man’s hand, Jesus led him out of the village. After spitting on his eyes and laying his hands on the man, he asked him, “Do you see anything?”
The man looked up and said, “I see people. They look like trees, only they are walking around.”
Then Jesus placed his hands on the man’s eyes again. He looked with his eyes wide open, his sight was restored, and he could see everything clearly. Then Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t go into the village!”
I Corinthians 13:11-12
When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, reason like a child, think like a child. But now that I have become a man, I’ve put an end to childish things. Now we see a reflection in a mirror; then we will see face-to-face. Now I know partially, but then I will know completely in the same way that I have been completely known.
Prayer
God,
Help me to see better.
Give me patience for your work in my life.
Speak clearly to me: show me the steps of discipleship.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.