Sunday: The Second Touch
There is only one miracle in the entire Bible that Jesus worked in two stages. It is the healing of the blind man at Bethsaida. This story provides timeless lessons for Christ’s church today. It illustrates God’s plan of using each believer to bring someone else to Jesus. Scripture declares, “Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him” (Mark 8:22, NKJV).
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The two key words here are “brought” and “begged”. The blind man did not come on his own. His friends saw his need and brought him. He may not have had much faith, but they did. They believed that Jesus would heal this man’s blindness.
There are approximately 25 distinct healing miracles in the New Testament performed by Jesus. In more than half, a relative or friend brings the individual to Jesus for healing. Many people will never come to Jesus unless someone who has faith brings them. Our role is to become an “introducer” and bring people to Jesus.
The second word that is worthy of our consideration in Mark 8:22 is the word begged. It can mean “beseech, implore, or exhort”. It implies a softer, kinder, gentler appeal than a loud, boisterous demand. The friends of this man kindly appealed to Jesus, believing that He had both the desire and the power to help this man. The man may not have had faith that Jesus could heal him, but his friends did. Sometimes we must carry others to Jesus on the wings of our faith.
Read Mark 8:22-26. Why do you think He healed the blind man in two stages? What lessons does this story have for us today as witnesses for Jesus?
Is it possible that we, too, do not see people clearly? Do we sometimes see them more like “trees walking” in vague shadowy forms rather than as candidates for the kingdom of God? What do you think leads us at times not to see people clearly?
| Besides the obvious lesson about how God uses us to reach people, what else can we learn from this story? What might it teach us, for instance, about how both the medical and the spiritual can have a part in healing and in ministry to the lost? |
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In Acts 10, Luke records a conversation that Peter had with Cornelius. In particular:
When we look at the life of Jesus we are reminded that he was not an aesthetic, sitting in solitude, nor was he an academic, creating journal articles and treatises on theology. He was practical, helping people with their health, and listening to their problems. He played with children who obviously enjoyed his company. He took part in social activities bringing joy and happiness to the participants. In short he went about "doing good".
In our theological debates, we often spend a lot of time discussing the relationship of faith and works, to the extent that sometimes we look down our theological noses at good works lest we think that we are putting our faith in them rather than in Jesus. The fact remains that a person saved by faith does good works because they are saved, not in order to be saved.
Jesus set an example of how to live a saved life. We may not be able to perform miracles but we can do ordinary things. I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I had seen young people delivering food (and of course toilet paper) to those who have had to isolate themselves during this COVID-19 crisis. There are people who need help right now, and it does my heart good to see our church folk stepping in and helping out by "doing good".
Why the healing in two stages?
I went back a few verse to Mark 8:18 where Jesus said to the disciples don't you see, don't you understand the spiritual lessons I am teaching you?
Then he demonstrated that on first interaction the blind man could only see shadows but on the second touch he now saw everything clearly
We and those with whom we share often don't see the message clearly right away, we have to dig deeper, to truly understand the message.
When Jesus said to the disciples beware of the leaven of the lawyers and the rulers Mark 8:15 He was not talking of literal bread, I believe He was saying watch out for the attitudes of legalism and power, remember the love I showed by feeding the thousands with food for their bodies and souls.
He asked can you now see everything clearly?
Why a two stage miracle in the lesson for today? Could it be that having caught a "glimpse" in the first stage of the healing process, the blind man could now develop the seed of faith by believing that the same Man who made him see "men like trees walking" would be able to restore his vision completely?
He was provided with an opportunity to develop his own faith.
One of the lessons we can learn is that there are times when our impatience for new believers to almost mature overnight should be tempered and we nurture the faith growing process. When we examine the lives of Bible characters, Peter and Abraham for instance, we see the evidence of their faith growing experience.
No wonder Peter said: But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18
Two stage miracles are still taking place today.
I will lift up my hands to the hills from whence cometh my help. Ps 121:1
The Second Touch
The blind man was ‘brought’ to Jesus for healing, the author suggested he might not have faith, but others had. This might/might not be a case of faith but accessibility. Was he able to literally get to Jesus being blind with the large crowd?
In the bible, we read about several people being 'Brought' to Jesus for several different reasons. For example-
1. Mothers brought their children to Jesus so he can place his hands on them and pray. Matt 19:13. We were not told if any of these children were sick or had any maladies. The disciples were trying to prevent them probably they thought Jesus had no time for 'little people'. Does anyone think these children had a chance coming by themselves without being crushed, or the disciples constantly driving them away?
2. Paralytic man brought to Jesus by four others through the roof- Matt 9:2, Mark 2:3. This man was sick of the palsy was unable to get access into the building much less get to Jesus for healing. The roof was the only option of determination, he being paralyzed was unable to remove the roof, his friends were able.
What I think is, many times people want to come to church for night services/crusade, etc or on Sabbath. Do we give them a ride, or ask someone to help them to have easy access to church? Some might need help going to clinics, hospitals, shopping, etc. What help do we as Christians offer each other, whether in the church or out of the church. Are we allowing them the 'second touch' so Jesus can become real to them? Are we allowing Jesus to give us the 'second touch' so our eyes can be open?
Amen
To me, the healing of the blind man in "two stages" may have happened just because of the mercy of God towards the blind man himself. We are not always ready to receive the full blessings of God at once. Would we see everything clearly at a glance, perhaps that in itself could be very painful. When we are in the dark for a long time and suddenly we get to be exposed to a bright light, such as the sunny day, our pupils and eyelids will definetely compensate and will be closed as much as possible! The sudden change from darkness to brightness can be hurtful! Thus, God allows us to see His visions for us in steps because He loves us! All we have to do is to ask Him for the miracle and let Him lead us to the fullness of His plans for our lives! He knows what our hearts can stand at once!
Amen.I am blessed to see our church reaching people during this difficult time.However we have an urgent message to preach.The 3 angels message.Daniel 12 . Revenge 14 and 15 being supported by Daniel 12.Closing of probation people need to repent and confess their sons.Social gospel or prosperity gospel won't take anyone home.Present truth is urgent message.
May the good LORD continue to guide you .
The many second chances that God gives us allow or enable us to grow in stages. We don't receive all the light at once - from milk to solid food I may say has stages of development.
When it comes to interpreting Scripture, I try to avoid speculation related to context and message. It is really surprising to find so much written about the 'second touch' - the 'healing in two stages'. My comment is about serving-love-faith-compassion, the fruit of the Spirit being present at this healing-event.
John 21:15 - Shortly before His death, Jesus asked Peter: "Do you love me"? Each time Peter answered Yes! Each time Jesus replied: " feed my sheep(lambs)"! In the end, Jesus admonished Peter using a direct address: "follow me"!
Why did Jesus say it that way? - First He pointed out that they were HIS sheep and lambs, second I believe He wanted to let Peter know that, in order to truly feed HIS lambs and sheep, Peter needed to follow the 'Way' of Jesus and not his own way.
Mark8:16-18 - Jesus' focus is always on healing the whole soul, the whole man, not just his body. I believe that Peter needed to still understand this. Peter experienced the feeding of the multitudes with fish and bread, but Jesus still needed to pointed out that it is the spiritual bread man's soul needs to truly live.
John6:26-29 -v.28:..'What shall we do, that we might work the works of God'? v.29:..'This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent'.
Those that are 'drawn' are called to believe Jesus, taking all the gifts and talents with them into the new Life of Light; all gifts and talents are now employed to further the Gospel message and the relationship with our Savior. The 'work of God' is not finished until all that are called believe Jesus.
The true 'value' of all help given is measured in its spiritual impact - for good or ill. Yes, meeting the material, emotional, and spiritual needs of mankind will help in this lifetime, but its most impactful and lasting effect is felt in the spiritual, heavenly realm.
Matt.6:19,20 - I call the truly Holy Spirit inspired acts of service 'laying up treasures in heaven'. We look with Jesus' eyes around us and find that the fields are ripe for harvest. John4:33-38
As Christians we all need a second touch by Jesus . The first touch is the touch of salvation . The second touch is the need, awareness, to touch someone else with the knowledge of God’s saving grace that has saved us. please God touch us the second time that we may see our need to reach out to others with the same grace Jesus saved us.
It is so wonderful that the healing of the blind man in the context of Mark 8:1-26 touches so many hearts in various ways, the Holy Spirit leading individual hearts to understand and appreciate different aspects of the passage. This is the benefit of a group sharing in a non judgmental manner.
Is there any significance between the man being healed outside the city of Bethsaida and the second touch?
Interesting question Jared,
Here we are studying about sharing our personal witness of how Jesus changed our lives and we find in several instances Jesus telling people not to tell anyone??
First He took the blind man out of the village away from the crowds and then after healing him telling him to go home not into the village and not to tell anyone!!
Why did Jesus do that? I have some ideas but I want to hear from our readers if they understand this strange behaviour?
Mar 8:26 KJV And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.
Neither: Mar 5:43, Mar 7:36; Mat 8:4, Mat 9:30, Mat 12:16
The question of why a two phase healing is interesting to me. The other interesting assumption is that the man was possibly hesitant to come to Jesus so his friend brought him. In the day and age this happened, there was no way a blind man could wander the streets and actually find someone they were looking for. He probably did want to go to Jesus, but had to rely on his friends to get him there. As far as why Jesus healed him the way he did, I don’t know that mans story, but Jesus did. Is it possible that this manner of healing was specific to him, and he got the message loud and clear? That’s the way have looked at it, after reading it again in this weeks lesson. What I’m learning is that Jesus knew the longing in the heart of each person He healed, and He met their needs.
The man was brought to Jesus by others who had faith in Jesus' healing. Perhaps this blind man did not have faith in Jesus in the first place. Maybe it was after the first touch that he was converted. That paved way for his full healing on the second touch of Jesus.