The Miracle and Parable of Mark 8
The next miracle for us to look at comes from Mark 8:22f. It is no easy task to decipher the peculiar situation found in this healing situation.
First, though, the timing. Jesus has already fed the 5000 and 4000. He gets into a boat with his disciples, and crossing the sea hears his disciples arguing about a lack of bread. Imagine now if you will, Jesus has fed 0ver 9,000 men plus their families! Picture please the Savior shaking his head and enquiring why are you talking about bread? Do you think you’re going to starve? Finally, in frustration, he asks, don’t you understand.”
My question at this point is no Lord I don’t understand none of this makes any sense. Jesus and his disciples come to shore, and some people bring out a blind man begging Jesus to heal the man.
How is this so different from the mass of others he has healed? Well, somehow, it is different.
His disciples need to learn an important lesson. So this situation becomes a parable as well as a healing. Jesus has been staying just a few miles from here, and his miracles are well known.
Notice in this circumstance some people bring the man to Jesus and ask him to ‘touch’ the man. I suspect the man does not live here rather has been wandering around, perhaps begging for food. The gathering has mixed feelings. They want the man to be healed and yet not be responsible for him. Now, I cannot know that for sure, but from the manner in which the situation ends, it appears this is the case.
So Jesus takes the man by the hand and leads him out of the village. The man is no longer the responsibility of the village. Stopping Jesus then faces the man spits on his hand and wipes the eyes of the blind man. At the same time, he lays his hands on him.
Now it should be remembered at this time period it was believed that salvia had healing properties.
Jesus asked the man, ‘Do you see anything?’ Evidently, his vision is blurred. But this tells us two things. The man was not blind from birth, for he recognizes trees. Further, we are introduced to the parable part of the healing for the disciples are being told about their blindness and lack of understanding.
Next, Jesus again lays his hands on the man’s eyes, and now he sees clearly. So, perhaps as well, his dimples now see everything clearly as to the power and might of Jesus.
Finally, Jesus sends the man away with the instructions not to go back to the village. It is not his home and holds no importance for him. Perhaps the lesson for us is ‘there is no going back.’
