When they arrived at Bethsaida, they brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on him and asked, “Do you see anything?” Looking up he replied, “I see people looking like trees and walking.” Then he laid hands on his eyes a second time and he saw clearly; his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly. Then he sent him home and said, “Do not even go into the village.” (Mk 8:22-26)
This miracle story leaves us with many points to reflect upon. Jesus took the blind man away from the people (village); he puts spittle on his eyes: the blind man says that he sees men like trees and walking (which means the blind knows how the trees would look like etc); then Jesus had to lay his hand on him a second time to heal. The healing is done in a process. (it is gradual)
The blind man did not ask for a cure. (They -who?- brought the blind man to Jesus). The only response from the blind man was, “I see people looking like trees and walking.” The blind man seemed to be passive and not interested in anything but just cooperated with what is going around.
Some regard the cure as an intended symbol of the gradual enlightenment of the disciples concerning Jesus’ messiahship. The disciples were slow in understanding (are you slow in understanding) and realizing the messiahship of Jesus. The disciples got their sight.
