"Three Times Touched"

Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him... And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. Mark 8:22 & 25 

Years ago if a person was unfortunate to have cataracts grow on their eyes they were doomed to blindness.  Today, however, cataract surgery is readily available and frequently performed to prevent blindness.  Eye implants are becoming in greater number to help those with vision problems to see again.  Treatments for eye problems are being getting better year after year.  Laser treatment has become a reality for many who have struggled with glasses all their lives.

Our story this week involves a man who had lost his sight.  No record is given as to how long he had been blind or how his blindness has occurred.  It is merely a description of his condition.  He had some hope for healing when friends took him to Jesus.

One of the credentials of the Messiah would be the healing of the blind and thus restoring sight.  
"Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations. "He will not cry out or raise His voice, nor make His voice heard in the street. "A bruised reed He will not break and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice. "He will not be disheartened or crushed until He has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law." Thus says God the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its offspring, Who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it, "I am the LORD, I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You, and I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon and those who dwell in darkness from the prison.  Isaiah 42:1-7  Jesus, being the Promised One, was bringing to fulfillment the prophecy of Isaiah as He brought healing to the blind. 

It was John the Baptist who sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus if He was the "Coming One."  In answer to his question, Jesus responded by pointing to His actions:  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and report to John what you hear and see: the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM.”  Matthew 11:4-5  The New Testament records at least seven healings of the blind by Jesus.  Each one of these is a unique story yet each had the same result.  It is interesting to watch the actions of Jesus healing these blind men. 

Matthew 9:27-30 .... 2 blind men are healed as Jesus touches their eyes. 

Matthew 12:22 ...... A blind and mute man is healed and speaks. 

Mark 10:52 ......... Blind Bartimaeus is healed through a statement of faith.   

John 9:6 ........... Jesus uses saliva and mud to heal a man born blind. 

In our text today, this man is touched three times by Jesus as He heals him.  Each act had a purpose.  Jesus...

Took him by the hand (vs.23) .... Touch of Encouragement.

Put His hands on him (vs.23) .... Touch of Enlightenment.

Hands on his eyes (vs.25) .... Touch of Enablement. 

We can learn something from each of these special touches about how we can be the hands of Christ to those in need around us.

Scripture to Claim:

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4