Mark 8:22-26

You know, Webdog, I've never noticed that before. You've posed an interesting question that I don't have an opinion on.






Yet.

 

I'd share mine, but I don't want to rock your boat, webbie.
Best keep quiet.

 

The key is in verse 25, webdog.

In verse 25, "He made him look up..."

Seems to me the first time it was the man's unwillingness to look up that caused him to see men "as trees walking."

I am reminded of the verse that says we will one day be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

We may receive healings... even miracles, but until we see Him as He is, we cannot grasp the fullness of healings and miracles.

 

Well, due to a "senior moment", I find I am unable to recall an explanation I read or heard (see, don't even remember which--) re: this instance.

Will be most happy to furnish said info IF I ever recall it!:BangHead:raying::sleep:

 

I wouldn't quite say that Jesus had "trouble performing a miracle." Ok, I noticed you corrected that expression. Sorry about that!

Rather, I would look beyond the oddity of this miracle to see the greater message (Matt 11:20, 21).

I believe many of the miracles and actions of Jesus were symbolic. I think of the cleansing of the Temple in this way.

 

I was correcting my post as you were writing the above.

But I believe the second touch in Mark 8 is one of reassurance to the man rather than any deficiency in Messiah.

 

webdog,

In the Gospels, we read that in one town, Jesus was not able to do many miracles because of their unbelief.

I believe the blind man was not totally believing in the thing Jesus could do for him. Until he 'looked up' into the face of Jesus, he could not fully see.

 

Webdog, because of Matt 11:20, 21, I'll have to agree with SFIC's post.

I believe this miracle was symbolic. Consider the cursing of the fig tree, a literal fig tree but a symbolic action, pointing to Israel.

 

If we were to try an reconstruct a chronology of events, we would have the events of Matt 11 taking place before the events of Mark 8.

Maybe this is Jesus' second time to pass through Bethsaida, with Matt 11 signifying another. Just an observation!

I really don't see a stretch, because many of the miracles of Jesus were symbolic. If that were not the case, I wouldn't have ventured such a possibility.

 

Since we know that our Lord is perfect, and does everything perfectly and for a reason, I believe that this must be have been done on purpose for our benefit.

"1Cr 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known."

I believe this could be what is meant by this example He was illustrating our progression. We are first spiritually blind, then we see dimly, and one day when we see Jesus face to face will see clearly.

 

Best answer yet.

 

Thank you for admitting that just because you don't understand it does not make it impossible! (Seems some have the idea of: "I don't understand/agree, therefore I'm gonna spiritualize to make His word more palatable!")

This concept needs to be more fully accepted to eliminate some of the pride on this BB.