“AND they bring a blind man unto Him... And 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 upon him, He asked him if he saw ought. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that He put His hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up; and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.”
This story is especially interesting because we may be curious as to why the man did not immediately receive perfect vision.
As is common in the gospel narratives, there is a type of Israel given us. That nation — now away from God and spiritually blind will, in a coming day have sight restored first in the midst of tribulation, when they may not clearly see God’s hand in their persecution — but then filly brought into full deliverance and God’s purposes clearly seen.
But let us today think of this story’s application to ourselves. Without Christ, are we not also in moral and spiritual blindness? Surely so. What can we do to overcome this serious problem? Not one thing in our own power. We must be willing to acknowledge our absolute weakness and be led to Jesus — the only One who can bring relief. We notice first of all that the blind man is brought by friends and can be sure he came willingly. Christian friend, have you ever helped a lost sinner find the Lord? It is a wonderful privilege to do so.
Then we observe that it is the Lord’s hand that guides the man. The loving Christian can lead the lost soul to Jesus — but it is only trust in Him that will bring salvation. The Lord’s taking him out of the town would tell us that all we could cling to by nature had to be put off so we can be alone, with Him and have full trust in Him. Often religious surroundings give a false sense of security, but really keep one from going to the Lord Himself. It is important to put off all false supports that the mind and affections might hold on to and be entirely cast upon the Lord, if one is truly seeking salvation.
The spittle applied to his eyelids may not have been what the blind man expected and if pride had asserted itself he would have refused so humbling an experience, but it is happy to see his quiet acceptance of the Lord’s way of saving him. The sinner coming to the Lord must also come in the Lord’s own way — by simple faith and confessing complete helplessness.
Then, what a wonderful experience! The blind eyes, long in darkness, now see light — but vision is not yet perfect. Let this encourage the newly converted soul. When the man said, “I see men as trees, walking,” it was a good deal like a newly converted soul who turns to men in connection with his newfound light, but does not find everything clear with them. Looking on men is never a safe place for us. But the Lord does not want His own confused concerning divine truth. Closing the man’s eyes to the view of men, He again touches them and when he now looks up — his gaze surely resting on the Saviour Himself —his vision is no longer faulty. Thereafter he can see all men clearly.
In John 12:2121The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. (John 12:21) we read of certain men who came to Philip and said: “Sir, we would see Jesus.” What a delightful desire this is! If we can say the same from our hearts, then we can indeed “see every man clearly,” whether it be men of the world, or those indoctrinated in false teaching, or those used of God to help others in the true light of His Word.
ML-10/06/1963