Mk. 8: 22-26 – Ways and time

22 They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23 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?” 24 He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” 25 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. 26 Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into the village.”

Wouldn’t it be great if God acted in our way on our time? The people of Bethsaida wanted Jesus’ touch to immediately heal a blind man. He’d done it before. It would be another great sign, another moment to gawk at the Healer. Then they could go back to fishing or whatever they were up to.

Jesus does just what they begged him to do—touch the blind man. You can imagine the gasp of the crowd. Next the man’s eyes would open and he’d start high-fiving all the onlookers.

Yet, the man remains blind.

Jesus takes him by the hand and leads him away. What a disappointment. No sign. No healing. Seemingly no power from the one guy in Galilee who could solve their problems. Imagine much of the crowd returning to fish.

Now that Jesus has the man alone, we readers rub our hands together in anticipation of the instant magic. Jesus will just say a word and the man will see. Yet this time, words won’t do. Apparently spit is required. And the laying of hands, a more intentional touch. “Anything?” Jesus asks.

The man remains blind.

At least he can make out a few things. But really, where’s the power of Jesus? Where’s the fast healing? He lays hands on him once more. Finally, the man can see. Now’s a great time for the man to skip into the village and show everyone the miraculous healing power of God. To us maybe, but not to Jesus. He tells the man to go straight home.

You could say the town of Bethsaida remained blind. They wanted to see a sign, a quick fix, an instant solution. They wanted something from God in their way and their time.

It seems much easier to be disappointed with God’s way than to trust in it.

Have you recently felt disappointed in God? Is it possible He wants you to just trust Him?