Lord, touch my eyes again

The blind man at Bethsaida

Mark 8:22-26
22 Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him.
23 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.
24 And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.”
25 Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly.
26 Then He sent him away to his house, saying, “Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town.”

This story is so deep because Jesus heals many blind people in the Bible, but this one is different.
The healing here seems to happen in stages.
Jesus touches him, then asks him if he sees anything.
The man says he sees, but not clearly.
He sees men as trees walking.

Then Jesus touches him again and he sees every man clearly.
That is not just about physical eyes.
This is also about spiritual eyes.

Because sometimes Christ has already touched us, but our vision is still blurry.

We are no longer where we used to be, but we are not seeing everything properly yet.
We may see God a little, but not clearly. We may see truth a little, but not fully may see people, but not with love and compassion yet may see them like moving trees, like things, like problems, like people in our way, and not as souls Jesus died for.

So
Have I gone to Jesus for healing?
Has He put cure on my eyes?
Can I see anything? Or am I still seeing everything blurry?
And if I am, then I need to ask Him again:
Lord, touch my eyes again.

Why did they bring the blind man to Jesus?

Mark 8:22 says, “they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him.”

The blind man did not open his own eyes. He did not heal himself. He was brought to Jesus.
That already teaches us that healing begins when we come to Christ. People can bring us near. A friend can encourage us. A sermon can wake us up. A Bible study can show us something. A parent can pray for us. But only Jesus can actually open the eyes.

Psalm 146:8 says, “The Lord opens the eyes of the blind.”

God opens our eyes not human wisdom, not feelings, not self-confidence, not just religious information. The Lord.

So have I went to Jesus for healing? Not just for blessings. Not just for Him to fix life. Not just for Him to help with problems.
But have I gone to Him and said, “Lord, I am blind in places I do not even know. Heal how I see.”

Because it is possible to have physical eyes and still be spiritually blind.
Revelation 3:17 says, “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ — and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.”
This is the Laodicean condition. They were blind, but they did not know it. And that is probably the worst kind of blindness, because if a blind man knows he is blind, he can cry for help. But if a blind man thinks he sees, then he may never ask for healing.
That is why David prayed:
Psalm 119:18 “Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.”
Not just “give me more information.” But “open my eyes.” Because I can read the Bible and still miss the heart of God. I can know verses and still not have compassion. I can know doctrine and still be harsh. I can speak truth and still not have the spirit of Christ.
So the first question is not “do I know religious things?”
The real question is, can I see?

Has He put cure on my eyes?

When Jesus touched the blind man the first time, something happened. He was not fully clear yet, but he was not in darkness like before. That is like when Jesus starts working in our life.
At first, you begin to see some things.
You begin to see that sin is not safe. You begin to see that your heart needs changing. You begin to see that God is more loving than you thought. You begin to see that people are not just people around you, but souls. You begin to see that you cannot save yourself.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
So even spiritual sight is grace. I cannot brag that I see better than someone else. If I see anything good, it is because Jesus touched my eyes.
2 Corinthians 4:6 says, “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts…”
The same God who said “let there be light” is the One who must speak light into the heart. Without Him, all is darkness.
Bu why does this matter?
Because if Christ has started opening my eyes, I should not take it lightly. If I can see that I need Him, that is already mercy. If I can see that I have pride, that is mercy. If I can see that I lack love, that is mercy. If I can see that my view of people is wrong, that is mercy.
Conviction itself is part of healing.
But then the question is, am I fully seeing clearly?
Because the blind man did not stay quiet and pretend. Jesus asked him, “Do you see anything?” and he answered honestly.

Can you see anything?

Mark 8:23 says Jesus asked him “if he saw anything.”
Jesus already knew, but He still asked him. Why? Maybe because the man had to confess his condition. He had to say where he was really at.
And that is a question Jesus can ask me too:
Do you see anything?
Can you see My love?
Can you see your need?
Can you see your pride?
Can you see your blindness?
Can you see people properly?
Or is everything still blurred?
The blind man said:
“I see men like trees, walking.” Mark 8:24
That is so honest. He could have pretended and said, “Yes Lord, I see now.” But he did not fake it. He said what was really happening. He was not fully blind anymore, but he was not fully restored either.
And this is where a lot of us are spiritually.
We see, but not clearly.
We see Jesus, but sometimes through fear.
We see God, but sometimes like He is harsh or far away.
We see ourselves, but sometimes through shame or pride.
We see other people, but sometimes like walking trees.
Not with love.
Not with mercy.
Not with patience.
Not with the eyes of Christ.
So maybe the honest prayer is:
Lord, I see, but not clearly. Touch me again.
Mark 9:24 “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
That verse fits here so well. The man believed, but still needed help. Same with us. We may see, but still need clearer sight. We may love, but still need more love. We may believe, but still need stronger faith. We may have been touched, but still need another touch.

“I see men like trees walking”

This is probably the main thought.
He saw people, but they looked like trees.
A tree is alive, yes, but it is not a person. A tree does not have a soul like a person. A tree does not have guilt, pain, memories, childhood wounds, struggles, temptations, or a need for salvation.
So if I see men as trees, I am seeing people, but not truly seeing them.
And spiritually this is dangerous.
Because I can look at people and only see what annoys me. I can look at someone and only see their attitude. I can look at someone and only see their sin. I can look at someone and only see what they did to me. I can look at someone and only see their weakness.
But Jesus sees deeper.
Matthew 9:36 says, “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.”
When Jesus saw people, He was moved with compassion. He did not just see a crowd. He saw their condition. He saw that they were weary. He saw that they were scattered. He saw that they were like sheep without a shepherd.
This is the vision I need.
Because sometimes I might see people as “walking trees” when I see them like objects in my way. Like problems. Like annoyances. Like enemies. Like people to avoid. Like people to judge. Like people beneath me.
But Christ saw souls.
Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
He did not come to look at lost people with disgust. He came to seek and save them.
So if I am following Christ, I need His eyes. Not just His words. Not just His teachings. His eyes. The way He looked at people.

Lord, do not let me see people as walking trees

This is where the story becomes very personal.
If I see people as walking trees, then I need another touch.
If I see someone’s mistake but not their pain, I need another touch.
If I see someone’s sin but not their soul, I need another touch.
If I see someone who hurt me and only feel bitterness, I need another touch.
If I see people at church and only notice what is wrong with them, I need another touch.
If I see strangers and do not care for them, I need another touch.
1 John 4:20 says, “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar.”
That verse is heavy. Because it means I cannot claim to see God properly while hating the people made in His image.
Genesis 1:27 says God created man in His own image.
So every person I look at has value. Even the difficult one. Even the broken one. Even the rude one. Even the one who has fallen badly. Even the one I disagree with. Even the one who hurt me.
Not because they are perfect, but because they are still someone Christ died for.
Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Jesus did not wait until we were beautiful and perfect before He loved us. He loved us while we were still sinners. So if I only love people when they are easy to love, I still do not see like Jesus.

Have you asked Him to heal you again?

This is the hopeful part.
Jesus did not leave the man with blurry vision.
Mark 8:25 says, “Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly.”
Again.
That word matters.
Jesus touched him again.
He did not shame him for not seeing clearly the first time. He did not say, “Why are you still blurry?” He did not say, “At least you can see something.” He finished the work.
Philippians 1:6 says, “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
So if Jesus started the work, He can finish it.
This gives me hope because sometimes I feel like I should be better by now. I should be more patient by now. I should forgive better by now. I should understand God more by now. I should love people better by now.
But this story says Jesus is patient with unfinished people.
He touched him again.
And that means I can pray:
Lord, touch me again.
Not because the first touch failed, but because I still need more healing.
Not because Jesus is weak, but because I am still learning to see.
Not because God left me, but because He wants to complete the work.

Why did Jesus make him look up?

Mark 8:25 says Jesus “made him look up.”
That part is small but deep.
Because a lot of the time our vision is blurry because we are looking in the wrong direction.
If I keep looking at myself, I become discouraged or proud.
If I keep looking at people, I become judgmental or disappointed.
If I keep looking at problems, I become anxious.
If I keep looking at the world, I become confused.
But Jesus makes him look up.
Hebrews 12:2 says, “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”
This is the cure. Look to Jesus.
Not Moses fully. Not Noah fully. Not Abraham fully. Not Elijah fully. Not Peter fully. Not Paul fully. They were great men of God, but they all had weaknesses. Moses struck the rock. Noah got drunk. Abraham lied. Elijah ran in fear and prayed to die. Peter denied Christ. Paul called himself chief of sinners.
So who do we look to for perfect sight?
Christ.
1 John 2:6 says, “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”
So if I want to know how to see people, I look at Jesus. How did He see the woman caught in adultery? How did He see Zacchaeus? How did He see Peter after he denied Him? How did He see the thief on the cross? How did He see the crowd that crucified Him?
Luke 23:34 “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”
That is clear vision.
He saw their sin, but He also saw their blindness. He saw their guilt, but He still prayed for mercy. He saw what they were doing, but He understood what they did not see.
That is the kind of eyes I need.

The second touch is not only for sight, but for love

The man’s healing was complete when he saw every man clearly.
That detail matters.
It does not just say he saw trees clearly. It says he saw every man clearly. So the miracle finishes with how he sees people.
Maybe that is a lesson in itself.
Maybe spiritual healing is not just me seeing doctrines clearly. Maybe it is also seeing people clearly.
Because what is the point of seeing prophecy clearly if I cannot love my brother?
What is the point of seeing truth clearly if I cannot show mercy?
What is the point of knowing the Bible but having no compassion?
1 Corinthians 13:2 says, “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge… but have not love, I am nothing.”
That is serious. I can know mysteries and still be nothing without love.
So I need Jesus to touch my eyes until I can see with love.
Not fake love.
Not weak love.
Not love that excuses sin.
But Christlike love. Love that tells truth with tears. Love that corrects with humility. Love that sees souls, not objects. Love that remembers how patient God has been with me.
Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us.”
Walk in love.
Not just talk about love. Walk in it.

Jesus came to show us how to see

Jesus did not only tell us to love people. He showed us what love looks like.
John 13:15 “For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.”
So when I ask, “How should I treat people?” I look at Jesus.
When I ask, “How should I see the weak?” I look at Jesus.
When I ask, “How should I see sinners?” I look at Jesus.
When I ask, “How should I see enemies?” I look at Jesus.
When I ask, “How should I see myself?” I look at Jesus.
Matthew 11:29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart…”
He did not only say believe in Me. He said learn from Me.
His life becomes the classroom. His character becomes the lesson. His compassion becomes the pattern. His eyes become the standard.
Ellen White says, “The world’s Redeemer came not only to be a sacrifice for sin but to be an example to man in all things.” 3SM 138.3
So yes, Jesus died for my sins. But He also lived to show me the way. He showed me what healed eyes look like. He showed me what love looks like when it has flesh on it.

Satan wants us to see God wrongly and people wrongly

This also connects to the great controversy.
Satan has always tried to make God look different from who He really is. He wants us to see God as harsh, selfish, unloving, unreasonable, and impossible to please.
Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 738 says, “Hence he has sought to misrepresent the character of God, to lead men to cherish a false conception of Him.”
That is blurry vision.
The Signs of the Times, February 13, 1893, par. 6 says, “It was through Satan’s misrepresentation of God’s character that man was led to doubt the reality of his love.”
So Satan’s work is to damage sight. He makes us see God wrongly, then we see ourselves wrongly, then we see others wrongly.
But Christ came to restore sight.
John 1:18 says, “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son… He has declared Him.”
Jesus declared the Father. He revealed what God is really like. So when I look at Jesus, my eyes begin to heal. I stop seeing God through Satan’s lies. I stop seeing Him as cold or distant. I see the Father in Christ.
John 14:9 “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.”
This is why Jesus is the cure for spiritual blindness. He does not only give sight. He gives the right picture of God.

Seeing God clearly changes how I see everyone else

If I see God as harsh, I will probably become harsh.
If I see God as unforgiving, I will struggle to forgive.
If I see God as cold, I will become cold.
If I see God as love, mercy, righteousness, compassion, and truth together, then by beholding Him I become changed.
2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory…”
We are changed by beholding.
So if I keep beholding Christ, I will slowly begin to see like Christ. The eyes change because the heart changes. And the heart changes because it has been looking at Jesus.
Ellen White says, “Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves.” The Desire of Ages, p. 25
That shows me God’s love. When I see that properly, how can I look at others with pride? I was the sinner who needed mercy. I was the blind one. I was the one Christ came to save.
So the cross humbles my eyes.
It makes me stop looking down on others because I remember where Jesus found me.

What if I can see, but not clearly?

Then ask Him to heal you again.
That is the answer.
Do not pretend. Do not stay blurry. Do not be satisfied with half-sight. Do not say, “At least I see something.” Go back and say:
Lord, touch my eyes again.
Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
This is not just about eyesight. It is about the heart. Because the way I see comes from the kind of heart I have.
If my heart is proud, my eyes will see others as beneath me.
If my heart is bitter, my eyes will see others as enemies.
If my heart is selfish, my eyes will see people only by what they can do for me.
If my heart is fearful, my eyes will see God as unsafe.
But if Christ gives me a new heart, then I begin to see differently.
Ezekiel 36:26 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.”
That is what I need. Not just better eyesight, but a new heart behind the eyes.

A personal answer to the questions

Have I went to Jesus for healing?
I want to say yes, but I also know I must keep going. I cannot act like one prayer years ago is enough for today. I need Jesus daily. I need His touch daily. I need Him to keep opening my eyes.
Has He put cure on my eyes?
Yes, if I can see my need of Him, that is already His mercy. If I can see that sin is dangerous, that is His work. If I can see that Jesus loves me, that is grace. If I can see that people need compassion, then He is already touching my eyes.
But can I see clearly?
Not always.
Sometimes I see men like trees walking. Sometimes I see people, but not properly. Sometimes I see their wrong more than their wound. Sometimes I see their attitude more than their pain. Sometimes I see what they did to me more than what Christ wants to do in them.
So I need to ask Him again:
Lord, heal me again.
Touch my eyes and make me see properly.
Give me eyes of love and compassion.
Do not let me see people as walking trees.
Let me see them as souls You died for.

Prayer/

Lord Jesus, I come to You like the blind man at Bethsaida.
I admit that I cannot see properly without You. I may have eyes, but spiritually I still need healing. I may know Bible verses, but I still need love. I may know truth, but I still need compassion. I may see people, but sometimes I see them like walking trees.
Lord, touch my eyes again.
Touch the way I see You. Remove every false picture of God from my mind. Help me see the Father in Christ. Help me believe that You are full of mercy, tenderness, truth, and love.
Touch the way I see myself. Do not let me live in pride, and do not let me live in shame. Let me see myself honestly, but also through grace.
Touch the way I see others. Do not let me reduce people to their mistakes. Do not let me see them as objects, problems, enemies, or obstacles. Give me eyes that see souls. Give me eyes that can notice pain. Give me eyes that are moved with compassion.
Lord, if I only see blurry, do not leave me there.
Touch me again.
Make me look up.
Let me see every man clearly.
Amen.

Closing thought/

The blind man’s story is my story.
Jesus takes the blind by the hand. Jesus leads them. Jesus touches them. Jesus asks them honestly what they see. And if they still see blurry, He does not leave them there.
He touches again.
So the lesson is not to pretend that I see clearly. The lesson is to be honest enough to say:
Lord, I see something, but not clearly enough.
Touch my eyes again.
Because I do not want to see people as walking trees.
I want to see You clearly.
I want to see myself clearly.
And I want to see every person with the love and compassion of Christ.
“Jesus has led the way, and He wishes us to follow in His steps.” That I May Know Him, p. 229
“If we take Christ for our guide, He will lead us safely along the narrow way.” Our Father Cares, p. 155