Seeing Clearly

And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”
Mark 8:22–26
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Seeing Clearly
Jesus heals a blind man at Bethsaida in a two-step process. First, He spits on the man’s eyes and lays hands on him, and the man sees people looking like trees walking. Then Jesus lays His hands on the man’s eyes again, fully restoring his sight.  Seeing ourselves in the blind man we are reminded that our spiritual journey can be a process. Like the blind man, our understanding and faith may not be perfect at first. We may see dimly, grasping bits and pieces of God’s truth. But Jesus is patient. He continues to work in us, opening our eyes fully to His love and grace. In this life, we may experience moments of partial clarity and times of complete understanding. Trust in Christ, who does not abandon us in our imperfection but faithfully brings us to a full and clear vision of His truth and love. Through the water and Word, our eyes and hearts are opened to the truth of Christ, and we can survey the cross and empty tomb in full confidence that our salvation is secure. Let us pray for patience and perseverance, knowing that He will complete the work He has begun in us.