The Story
The story of healing the blind man of Bethsaida is recorded in the book of Mark as follows: “Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. So 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 on him, He asked him if he saw anything. And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.” Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. Then He sent him away to his house, saying, “Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town” (ch. 8:22-25).
This is the only recorded occasion in which Jesus performed a healing in 2 stages. And this is the only recorded time on which He asked the question if the blind man sees anything. Apparently, the question was asked for the purpose of reinforcing the man’s weak faith (verse 24). As partial vision was restored to the man, his faith was strengthened, and he was ready to believe that Jesus could heal him perfectly (verse 23).
Come to Jesus as You Are
The blind man of Bethsaidia didn’t wait until his faith gets stronger. He went to Jesus as weak as he is. And Jesus helped him. The Lord never turns anyone away. He said, “the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37). Some get overwhelmed with their own lack of faith and their weak nature and hesitate to go to Christ believing that they should wait to improve their condition first. But Jesus invites all to come to Him for by their own efforts they can’t change their sinful hearts.
Sinners, who yield themselves to God, need the power of the Holy Spirit to do the work of transformation. “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure“ (Philippians 2:13). God give the stimulus for man’s initial determination to receive salvation and the power to make that decision fruitful. Thus, salvation is seen as a cooperative work between God and the believer.
How Can Man Increases His Faith
The Bible states, “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Faith is our conviction about things that we cannot see. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). But it is not a blind confidence in the absence of evidence. This conviction must be based upon knowledge, and knowledge must be based upon the Word of God. Therefore, to develop a transforming and enduring faith, a person must daily and earnestly study the Bible and allow it to transform his life.
Also, faith is like a muscle if we exercises it, it gets stronger. As we develop our daily dependence on God, our confidence in Him will get stronger. But if we don’t use our conviction to hold onto the Lord, we will get weaker and loose our trust in Him. The parable of the persistent widow is a good example of the necessity of a persevering faith that doesn’t give up (Luke 18:1-8). The believer must claim by faith God’s promises that he may receive them. Jesus says, “Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:24).
The Christian, by faith, holds daily unto God’s promises to help him overcome sin. “By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). His confidence in the One who has made the promises makes him certain that his requests will be fulfilled in due time. “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (Mark 11:24).
In His service,
BibeAsk Team
