Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. 23 So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything. 24 And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.” 25 Then He put [His] hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. 26 Then He sent him away to his house, saying, “Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town.”

– Mark 8:22-26 (NKJV)

We get a glimpse of Jesus healing a blind man. Yet, he does something peculiar, he takes the man out of the town and then does the miracle. The reason may be to give him a broader view when he does restore his sight, or this may be a hint that Jesus is a little fed up with this community. In fact he tells this man not to go back into town or tell anyone in the town… It seems like Jesus is a little fed up with this place called Bethsaida.

We see in Matthew’s gospel that Jesus actually pronounces a woe on Bethsaida:

“Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes” (Matthew 11:20-21, NKJV).

It was like Jesus was indicating that what works could have been done in Bethsaida will not be done in Bethsaida. Because of the lack of response to the witness that this community had been given, it would be given even less. In essence, Jesus wasn’t going to waste his time on folks who had ample opportunity to respond and failed to do so. Jesus won’t wait forever.

In the same breath, despite the rest of the town, there were those who did act in faith to bring their friend to Jesus. He honored their faith, though he brought the man out of town and healed him. I think there is plenty of room to note that when we are faithful to seek the Lord, even when others are not responding to Him, He will allow Himself to be found.

Finally, I think it is very interesting how this man is healed in stages. He sees some things, but not clearly, then Jesus touches him again and it brings complete clarity of vision. It reminds me of how we being our walk with the Lord. When we trust Him, we see things in a way that we have never seen before, but often he comes back and helps clarify the vision. Sometimes he does that through a trusted mentor or pastor who helps us see, understand, and apply the Word of God more clearly.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Thank you for your love for us. We pray that we would always have a faithful and real response to your word and your work. We want more of you. Thank you for the grace to bring our friends to you. Give us wisdom as we seek to reach those around us. Please guide us in your will and direction foe our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.