Due to my vision impairment, I often can’t see objects right in front of me. It is embarrassing to stumble and fall. The Disciples also tripped a lot, but usually over Jesus’ teachings. Sometimes they asked Jesus what He meant, but if their blurred spiritual vision didn’t welcome it, they ignored or rejected what was right in front of them. Peter envisioned a King who would grant Peter’s wishes, not a crucifixion. He tripped over God’s plan and had the nerve to rebuke Jesus. Can you hear the exasperation in Jesus’s voice when He asked the Disciples, “Don’t you understand yet?” (Mark 8:21) The Word was amongst them, but their spiritual vision was blurred, at best. They tripped all over the place.
SPIT IN THE EYE
To an extent, the Disciples believed Jesus; after all, they kept accompanying Him even when times were tough. In Mark 8:22-26, at Bethsaida, they witnessed the spitting incident. The blind man’s friends brought him to Jesus for a unique encounter. Jesus took the man by the hand, guided him out of the village, where Jesus did the unthinkable. He spit in the man’s eyes. I’ve had friends pray for my deteriorating vision, but no one has offered to spit in my eyes.
NO LONGER BLIND, BUT STILL NOT CLEAR
A fog still obscured the blind man’s physical vision. The small group witnessing this were the Disciples, the same group whose spiritual vision was blurred, at best. Some call this a parable/miracle; a miracle which also illustrates a biblical truth. In step two of the miracle, the formerly blind man’s vision was fuzzy. Just as fuzzy as the Disciples’ spiritual vision.
BLURRY NOT GOOD ENOUGH
The Disciples often saw only what they wanted to see. They rarely let Jesus be their spiritual lens. Jesus refused to stop there. Remember the blind man? The man first admitted he was blind and then confessed (after the spit) that his sight wasn’t clear. He didn’t say, “You know what, blurry is good enough.” Jesus was not satisfied with semi-healed, blurred vision. The same applied to the Disciples’ blurred spiritual vision.
TIME FOR CONFESSION
As a believer, how often do I honestly confess before both God and men that my spiritual vision is fuzzy? I desperately need my eyes opened by the Holy Spirit, but I don’t admit my need. I may show up and do all kinds of religious activities, but lack honesty in asking for a consuming thirst to know God. My prayers dry up, and my vision remains blurred. Is this your current condition?
SYMPTOMS OF LACK OF CLARITY
“Jesus laid His hands on his eyes; and the man stared intently and [his sight] was [completely] restored, and he began to see everything clearly.” That’s what Jesus wanted for the man and for us: complete clarity in vision. The Disciples, along with us, suffered “Spiritual Dry Eye Syndrome”. Symptoms are: a dry prayer life, spiritual apathy, lack of meditation in the Word, confusion regarding God’s Word, and lack of concern for others and those who don’t know Christ. It can be healed. God wants to purify and renew our spiritual vision. Don’t settle for less. Run to Him!
For further encouragement, click to read Calvary Hanford’s thoughts on this passage.
