Blessed be the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5), the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16). Welcome to today\u2019s teaching, where we delve into the Word of God our light in darkness (Psalm 119:105), our guide in uncertain times.<\/p>\n
There are seasons in life when a single encounter with God may not be enough. Sometimes, we need a second touch not because God\u2019s power is lacking, but because He is working in stages to deepen our faith, refine our perspective, or prepare us to fully receive His healing.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s turn to Mark 8:22\u201326 (NIV)<\/strong>:<\/p>\n 22<\/strong> They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him.<\/em> This is the only recorded miracle in the Gospels where Jesus heals someone in stages rather than instantly. Why did He do this?To illustrate the process of spiritual insight.<\/strong>This healing mirrors our spiritual growth. Often, when God opens our eyes, we don\u2019t immediately see everything clearly. Our understanding like the blind man\u2019s sight is partial at first (see 1 Corinthians 13:12). We need time, prayer, and continued divine touch to fully grasp spiritual truths.<\/span>To teach patience and perseverance in faith.<\/strong>The man could have been discouraged after the first touch. He might have thought, \u201cThis didn\u2019t work.\u201d But instead, he remained with Jesus and allowed Him to touch him again. This is a model of how we should approach our own healing and spiritual journey with persistent faith (Luke 18:1\u20138).<\/span><\/p>\n This phrase is both curious and symbolic. Trees are often used metaphorically in Scripture to represent people (see Psalm 1:3, Mark 11:12\u201325). The man\u2019s blurry vision suggests partial discernment. He sees something, but not clearly.<\/p>\n This is often true in our walk with God. After our first encounter with Christ, we may have joy and revelation, but many areas of our lives still require deeper healing and clarity. Sanctification is a process (Philippians 1:6).<\/p>\n After Jesus touches the man again, the text says:<\/p>\n \u201cThen his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.<\/em>\u201d (v. 25)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n This second touch brought full healing and clarity. Spiritually, this demonstrates how Jesus not only saves us but continually works in us to bring wholeness (Hebrews 10:14). His work is both instantaneous (justification) and ongoing (sanctification).<\/p>\n It\u2019s crucial that we don\u2019t give up in the \u201cin-between\u201d stage the stage where we\u2019ve seen some change but not full transformation. This is when many people abandon faith, assume God hasn\u2019t answered, or turn to other sources for help. But Scripture calls us to wait on the Lord<\/em> (Isaiah 40:31), walk by faith and not by sight<\/em> (2 Corinthians 5:7), and let perseverance finish its work<\/em> (James 1:4).<\/p>\n Notice that after the second touch, the man \u201clooked intently<\/em>\u201d (v. 25, NASB). The NIV translates this as \u201chis eyes were opened.<\/em>\u201d This implies focus, attention, and spiritual discipline.<\/p>\n As believers, we must learn to \u201clook intently\u201d into the Word of God (James 1:25), fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2), and remain steadfast even when answers don\u2019t come immediately.<\/p>\n Have you asked the Lord to heal, restore, or deliver you but feel like you\u2019ve only received a partial breakthrough? Don\u2019t give up. Ask Him to touch you again. Not because He failed the first time, but because He is drawing you deeper.<\/p>\n Do not confess defeat. Do not let doubt take root. Like the blind man, stay close to Jesus and allow Him to continue His work in you.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.\u201d<\/em> \u2013 Philippians 1:6 (NIV)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n May the Lord bless you.<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n23<\/strong> He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man\u2019s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, \u201cDo you see anything?\u201d<\/em>
\n24<\/strong> He looked up and said, \u201cI see people; they look like trees walking around.\u201d<\/em>
\n25<\/strong> Once more Jesus put his hands on the man\u2019s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.<\/em>
\n26<\/strong> Jesus sent him home, saying, \u201cDon\u2019t even go into the village.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\nA Two Stage Miracle: Why?<\/h3>\n
\u201cI See People… Like Trees Walking\u201d<\/h3>\n
The Second Touch<\/h3>\n
Our Role: Look Intently<\/h3>\n
Final Application<\/h3>\n
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