This is the second installment for the Like Trees Walking series.  To read the first one, before reading this, click here.

The picture of that man as he stood before Jesus—touched by the healer, obviously changed, but disappointed and still functionally blind—is a powerful image. I don’t know how long the period of “half-sight” was for the blind man. Perhaps only a few moments, for Jesus did touch the man again and give him full sight. But what if it had been a long time? What if it had lasted the rest of his life? Would he have taken his place among the villagers, learned to use his new “sight,” forgetting his disappointment; forgetting that he couldn’t see clearly? Would he have told and re-told the story of his healing? The townspeople would want to hear his story—his encounter with Jesus. Certainly, something had happened. The blind man hadn’t been able to see at all before. Even if he could only “half see” his life would be easier, richer, and fuller after. Continue reading The Blind Man Continued →

They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”

He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”

Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.  Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t go into the village.”

~ Mark 8:22-26

You are sitting listening to your friends talk excitedly.  Jesus has walked into your town.  You have heard the stories of what Jesus did in neighboring towns.  In one he healed a deaf and dumb man.  In another he healed a woman with a menstrual disorder—a nasty condition that no doctor could cure.  And you have heard rumors that a little girl was brought back to life.  “Certainly Jesus can heal you!” Continue reading The Blind Man →