‘Blind Date’ was a UK TV series hosted by Cilla Black which aimed to match up couples without them actually seeing each other. It’s much harder to do anything without the benefit of sight, and the story of the healing of a blind man (Mark 8:22-26) raises some interesting questions.
This healing took place in Bethsaida, which was near to Jesus’s home town of Nazarath. He was essentially in home territory – was that a help or a hindrance?! This incident took place just after the feeding of the four thousand, when Jesus was clearly moving in the power of the Holy Spirit. Yet He took this man by the hand and led him out of the town before spitting on him and rubbnig his eyes! His methods were certainly not those recommended by any optician and this miracle is unusual in that the man could not see clearly straightaway, saying initially he could only see men walking like trees. (Mk 8:24) Full sight was restored only when Jesus laid hands on him again. (Mk 8:25)
We may have many questions about why this healing did not take place immediately. Was it due to a lack of faith? Was Jesus simply having an ‘off day’? The more plausible explanation is that Jesus was reminding us that even when there is faith, the power of God is present and we are in the right place, sometimes there are delays. Miracles occur through God’s power and in God’s time. We may well need to persevere in prayer before we see the miracles we long to see.
Sometimes, blindness is spiritual and not physical. We may well be seeking God for guidance and direction and feel that He is strangely silent. At such times, we need to learn the lessons of perseverance. (Luke 18:1) Restoration comes, but in God’s timing and in God’s way.