WHEN VISION IS NOT CLEAR -- Monday:
"And He cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto Him, and besought Him to touch him. And 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 upon him, He asked him if he saw ought. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that He put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly." (Mark 8:22-25)
Being a prodigious worker, Jesus had been teaching and working with great aggressiveness. The people seemed to sense the urgency of His message, and had therefore followed him for three days. Now they were without food, yet they had not left the Master. In compassion, Jesus said, "I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far." He inquired "how many loaves" the disciples had. They said "seven," and "a few small fishes." He made the people sit down, blessed the loaves and fish, and fed four thousand. He then sent them away (1-9). After coming into the region of Dalmanutha and confronting the unbelieving Pharisees, He "sighed deeply His spirit," lamenting that a wicked generation sought after a sign. He then left them, entered a ship, and crossed to the other side, coming into Bethsaida.
Bethsaida was a city noted for its unbelief. On one occasion, Jesus soundly rebuked the citizenry there, declaring that ancient and wicked Tyre and Sidon would have repented in sackcloth and ashes if they had been privileged to see the works Bethsaida had seen (Matt 11:21). Coincidentally, this was the city from which Philip, Andrew, and Peter came (John 1:44; 12:21). Notwithstanding, they were exceptions to the response Jesus received in Bethsaida. That city was ruled by unbelief and hardness of heart.
As Jesus entered into this citadel of unbelief, a blind man was brought to Him. Those bringing him begged Jesus to "touch him." Because of the singular unbelief that dominated that city, Jesus "took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town." Like the country where He was raised, Jesus "could do not mighty work" in areas dominated by unbelief (Mk 6:5). But, having mercy on the poor blind man, Jesus led him out of that city, in order that He might bless him.
When Jesus had spit on the eyes of the blind man, and touched him, He asked him if he could see anything. This is the only occasion when Jesus asked someone about the result of His touch. Strangely enough, the man was only partially healed. He replied, "I see men like trees walking." The Lord then "put His hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly."
This is the only account on record where Christ's healing was not total. The reason for the partial results was not owing to any lack of Divine power on Christ's part. Nor, indeed, was it because the blind man himself, or those who brought him to Jesus, lacked faith. Rather, it was because of the dominant unbelief in that city. It was a restraining factor to the Lord of Glory, which is a most arresting consideration.
There are still areas where unbelief is especially outstanding and prevailing. Scripture indicates Satan has unusual regions where he reigns with unprecedented power. The church of Pargamos was in such a place. That city was described as "Satan's seat," or "where Satan's throne is" (Rev 2:13,
Unbelief gives Satan room to operate, and withholds men from receiving the great benefits from Christ. In my judgment, much of the absence of powerful Divine manifestations is more owing to the presence of unbelief than the cessation of such works by Divine purpose. There are still places men must leave if they want the work of God to be accomplished in them. Some areas, because they are ruled by unbelief, stop Jesus from working. He must lead them out to bless them.
God's children are to wage war against unbelief, not allowing an evil heart of unbelief to arise in them (Heb 3:12). Too, the lack of good spiritual vision may be owing to where the people are – where they fellowship, or where they live. It is something to think about.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I do believe. In the name of Jesus, help my unbelief, that nothing in me will hinder Your work.