Why did the blind man see men like trees walking after Jesus touched him?

 

In Mark 8:22-25,  And they (Jesus and the disciples) came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him.  (23)  And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, "Do you see anything?" (24)  And he looked up and said, "I see people, but they look like trees, walking."  (25)  Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.

 

When I read this story of the blind man I thought it was unique due to the fact it is the only time when Jesus had to lay hands on someone twice before they were totally healed. And after contemplating  a while about the peculiar way in which this man's sight was restored left me with several questions concerning this matter.

 

Why was the blind man only partially healed when Jesus first touched him? Was it because the people who brought this man to Jesus had little faith? Or did Jesus get out of the wrong side of bed that day and was not walking in the full power of the Holy Spirit? Why did Jesus have to touch this man a second time before his sight was completely restored?  Could there possibly be a hidden spiritual meaning within this story? Or am I asking difficult questions about a few minor details that may not have any hidden meaning in them after all? Am I being too spiritually nit-picky?

 

Although I did not know the answers to these questions I knew if there was an answer to be found it would be hidden some where in the scriptures. The first important rule when studying the Bible is to ask the Lord for wisdom and understanding of his prophetic scriptures. And the second rule is to read a story in context to see if the adjacent scriptures might shed any light on a possible hidden meaning within a particular story. And the third rule is to search through the scriptures for anything that might be spiritually related to this story.

 

With this in mind lets begin reading Mark 8:1-12. Jesus with the help of his disciples miraculously feed a crowd of 4,000 with 7 loaves and a few fish. After this Jesus and the disciples got into the boat and went to Dalmanutha where the Pharisees began to argue seeking a sign from Jesus to test him. Jesus said, Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.

 

Then the disciples and Jesus got into the boat and went to the other side. The disciples had forgotten to bring bread after feeding the 4,000 and had only one loaf with them in the boat. Jesus cautioned his disciples, saying, "Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread.  And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" They said to him, "Twelve." "And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" And they said to him, "Seven."  And he said to them, "Do you not yet understand?"  Mark 8:13-21

 

The disciples did not spiritually understand Jesus first warning to beware of the leaven, or false teaching of the Pharisees because they were relying on their human understanding. This is revealed when the disciples discussed the fact of having no bread in response to Jesus first admonition. Jesus replied to the disciples lack of understanding by saying, having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? Do you remember how I multiplied the loaves of bread.

 

Then Jesus spoke a second time,  How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." (12)  Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Matthew 16:11-12

 

After this Jesus healed the blind man who at first saw men like tree walking, and then he left with his disciples and went to the villages of Caesarea Philippi.

 

Mark 8:27-29  And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" (28)  And they told him, "John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets."  (29)  And he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Christ."

 

Matthew 16:17  And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

 

The above scriptures in Mark 8:27-29 and Matthew 16:17, reveal the disciples recognized Jesus as Israel's Messiah not through their human intellect, but by spiritual revelation from the Father in heaven. After this Jesus began to tell his disciples that he would be killed and rise again after three days when Peter began to rebuke him for saying this. Jesus replied, “you are not setting your mind on the things of God but on the things of man”, Mark 8:30-33.

 

Mark 8:30-33  And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.  (31)  And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.  (32)  And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.  (33)  But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."

 

At this point it is important to understand the scriptures describe two completely different Messiahs that will come to Israel. One Messiah is a conquering King similar to David who will deliver Israel from all their enemies. While the other Messiah is a suffering servant like Joseph who was betrayed by his brothers, thrown into a pit and sold as a slave in Egypt.

 

Now the disciples knew Jesus was the Messiah through revelation from the Father in heaven, however because of their own reasoning (setting your mind on the things of man) they incorrectly believed Jesus was the Kingly Messiah who would deliver Israel from their submission and servitude to the Roman government. And this is why Peter began to rebuke Jesus when he spoke about his future death and resurrection, Mar 10:35-41, Mat 20:20-24.

 

Peter rebuking Jesus for speaking about his coming death on the cross affirms the disciples first revelation concerning their Messiah was partial and incomplete. And since the disciples did not fully understand the scriptures concerning the two different types of Messiahs, their first mental image of Jesus was vague and distorted by their hope and desire for a conquering King. And at this point in time the disciples inaccurate perception of Jesus was similar to the blind man who saw men like trees walking after Jesus first touched him.

 

What the disciples needed was a second healing touch of revelation from their heavenly Father so they could clearly see Jesus as Israel's suffering Messiah who came to die on the cross for their sins.   

 

Two disciples meet Jesus on the road to Emmaus

 

On the day of the resurrection Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Mary the mother of James told the disciples the tomb was empty and how two men in dazzling apparel said Jesus has risen, but the disciples did not believe them.

 

Luke 24:10-12  Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles,  (11)  but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.  (12)  But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

 

In Luke 24:13-32, on the day of the resurrection Jesus drew near two of his disciples walking on the road to Emmaus, however the disciples eyes were kept from recognizing him. The partially blinded disciples began to explain to their new acquaintance how Jesus was a mighty prophet of God who had been crucified and how they hoped he was the one that would redeem Israel (as their conquering King Messiah). They went on to say some women went to the tomb that day and said it was empty and that some angels said Jesus was alive.

 

After this Jesus began to interpret the scriptures concerning his death and resurrection to the partially blinded disciples and when he broke bread and gave it to them their spiritually blinded eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus as Israel's resurrected suffering Messiah.

 

The scriptures in Luke 24:13-32, reveal this is the Lord's second touch of revelation for the partially blinded disciples who incorrectly believed Jesus was their Kingly Messiah. Now instead of seeing Jesus through their flawed human reasoning, the two disciples now see Jesus clearly as Israel's suffering Messiah after a second touch of revelation from the Father, John 6:44.

 

Luke 24:13-32  That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem,  (14)  and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened.  (15)  While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.  (16)  But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.  (17)  And he said to them, "What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad.  (18)  Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?"  (19)  And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,  (20)  and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.  (21)  But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.  (22)  Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning,  (23)  and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.  (24)  Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."  (25)  And he said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! (26)  Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" (27)  And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.  (28)  So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther,  (29)  but they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them.  (30)  When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.  (31)  And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.  (32)  They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?"

 

After this Jesus appeared to the disciples in Jerusalem and doubts arose in their hearts,  Luke 24:38. Then in verse 45, Jesus opened the minds of his doubting disciples to understand the scriptures concerning his death and resurrection. This again is the second touch of revelation that healed the partial blindness of the disciples so they could clearly see Jesus as their resurrected suffering Messiah. 

 

Luke 24:33-49  And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,  (34)  saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!"  (35)  Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.  (36)  As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, "Peace to you!" (37)  But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.  (38)  And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? (39)  See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." (40)  And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.  (41)  And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" (42)  They gave him a piece of broiled fish,  (43)  and he took it and ate before them.  (44)  Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." (45)  Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,  (46)  and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, (47)  and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. (48)  You are witnesses of these things. (49)  And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."

 

The story of the blind man who saw men like trees walking may at first appear to be just another miraculous healing story. However when you read it a second time in context it becomes a descriptive picture for the partially blinded disciples who did not fully recognize their Messiah until after the second touch of revelation when Jesus opened their minds to understand the scriptures concerning his death and resurrection. The natural is a picture of the spiritual, 1 Cor 15:46.

 

How clearly do you see Jesus?

 

There are several important spiritual lessons to be learned from the gradual healing of the blind man.

 

1.  God reveals specific mysteries hidden within his Word, when he wants and to whom he wants,  Dan 12:4, Mat 11:25,                            John 15:16.

 

2.  When God gives a partial revelation in the scriptures, Christians can often make the mistake of distorting it with their human reasoning just as the disciples did concerning their Messiah, Mark 8:30-33.

 

For example, the scriptures say the saints are not destined to wrath but to obtain salvation, 1 Th 5:9. And because of this verse many Christian teachers say the saints will not go through the 7 years of tribulation since they believe this is the time of God's wrath on unbelievers. So is this a revelation from the Lord, or is this teaching based on flawed human reasoning?

 

The scriptures also say Christians will experience tribulation in this world, John 16:33, Rev 2:22, 7:14. So when does tribulation for the saints end and when does God's wrath for the unbeliever begin? Do the scriptures reveal the full 7 years of tribulation is the time when God's wrath will be poured out on unbelieving mankind?

 

In Rev 6:9-11, when the 5^th seal is opened, the souls who had been slain cried out with a loud voice and asked the Lord how long before you avenge our blood. The saints were told to rest a little longer until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.

 

Then after the 6^th seal is opened the sun became black, the full moon became like blood and everyone hid themselves and asked the rocks to hide them from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, Rev 6:12-17.

 

Revelation 6:12-17  When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood,  (13)  and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale.  (14)  The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.  (15)  Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains,  (16)  calling to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb,  (17)  for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"

 

When the wrath of God begins for unbelieving mankind at the opening of the 6^th seal, Jesus seals the 144,000 and a great number of saints appear in heaven who came out of great tribulation, Rev 7:13-14. From the scriptures in Rev 6:9-11 and 7:13-14, it appears the full number of saints who are to be killed and have come out of great tribulation will be completed just before the opening of the 6^th seal when the day of the Lord's wrath begins and the 12 tribes of 12,000 are sealed by Jesus.

 

So when does God's wrath and the sealing of the 12 tribes of 12,000 take place?

In Genesis 45:3-11, Joseph spoke to his 11 brothers who did not recognize him and said,

 

Genesis 45:3-11  And Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?" But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence.  (4)  So Joseph said to his brothers, "Come near to me, please." And they came near. And he said, "I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt.  (5)  And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.  (6)  For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest.  (7)  And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors.  (8)  So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.  (9)  Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, 'Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; do not tarry.  (10)  You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children's children, and your flocks, your herds, and all that you have.  (11)  There I will provide for you, for there are yet five years of famine to come, so that you and your household, and all that you have, do not come to poverty.'

 

In Genesis 45:3-11, Joseph revealed himself after 2 years of famine to his 11 brothers who did not recognize him, Gen 42:8. And he told his brothers to go to their father and families and bring them to him for there are yet 5 more years of famine without plowing and harvest.

 

It is important to recognize Joseph revealing himself to his 11 brothers after 2 years of famine is prophetic for when Jesus will reveal himself and seal the 12 tribes of 12,000 after 2 years of tribulation. The 144,000 will then take the gospel to Israel and declare Jesus has risen and is alive so by faith a remnant in Israel can come to Jesus and be saved during the last 5 years of tribulation, Zec 13:8-9.

 

Joseph revealing himself to his 11 brothers after 2 years of famine is a key hidden prophecy that points out Jesus will seal the 12 tribes of 12,000 after 2 years of tribulation, when the full number of Gentile saints have been killed and God's wrath has begun for unbelieving mankind, Rev 6:9-17.

Therefore it appears the full number of Gentile saints to be killed will be completed during the first 2 years of tribulation, just before the opening of the 6^th seal when the day of God's wrath begins for unbelieving mankind and Jesus seals the 12 tribes of 12,000. The scriptures declare the saints are not destined for God's wrath (1 Th 5:9), however Christians will experience tribulation in this world, Mat 24:9, John 16:33, Rev 2:22, 7:14.

 

The beginning 2 years of tribulation for the saints.	The last 5 years of tribulation, God's wrath begins on wicked mankind and Jesus seals the 12 tribes of 12,000.
The 5th seal is opened, the full number of saints are killed in the tribulation.	The opening of the 6th seal, the great day of the Lord's wrath begins for unbelieving mankind.	Jesus seals the 12 tribes of 12,000 after 2 years of tribulation. Joseph revealed himself to his 11 brothers after 2 years of famine.	The 144,000 proclaim the gospel to Israel for the last 5 years of tribulation during God's wrath. Joseph said there will be 5 more years of famine without plowing or harvest.

 

Matthew 24:9, 29-31, (9) "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake.(29) "Immediately after the tribulation (of saints) of those days (Rev 6:10-11) the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven (Rev 6:12-13), and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. (30)  Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man (Rev 6:16), and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn (because the time of God's wrath has begun, Rev 6:15-17), and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (31)  And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other (Rev 7:9-16, 1 Thess 4:15-17).

 

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17  For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. (17) Then we who are alive, who are left (that have been protected through the hour of trial, Rev 3:10), will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

 

The scriptures in Matthew 24:9, 29-31, are speaking of the same events as described in Rev 6:9 through 7:16. In Mat 24:9, the saints are delivered up to tribulation, put to death and hated by all nations. This is describing the severe persecution and death of the full number of saints during the first 2 years of the tribulation, Rev 6:9-11.

 

Then after the tribulation of the saints in those days, the sun is darkened and the moon does not give its light, and the tribes of the earth mourn when they see the Son of Man coming in the clouds. This is the beginning of the Lord's wrath for unbelieving mankind in the last 5 years of tribulation. After this the elect, the tribulation saints are gathered by the angels and they appear in heaven, Rev 7:9-16. The order of these tribulation events in Mat 24 are identical to those spoken of in Rev 6 and 7. The one detail that is not mentioned is Jesus sealing the 12 tribes of 12,000 Jewish evangelists who will take the gospel to Israel.

 

As I said before, many Christian teachers believe the full 7 years of tribulation is the time of God's wrath on unbelieving mankind and therefore they say the saints will not go through the tribulation. And at a first glance this interpretation may appear to be true to our human reasoning.

 

However after a second touch of revelation from examining the prophetic story of Joseph, “when he made himself known to his 11 brothers after 2 years of famine,” reveals Jesus will seal the 12 tribes of 12,000 after the full number of saints have been killed in the first 2 years of tribulation and the day of the Lord's wrath has begun for unbelieving mankind, Ecc 1:9, 7:24, Isa 42:9, 46:9-11.

 

Romans 11:25  Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

 

When the full number of Gentile saints have been killed during the first 2 years of tribulation and have come in to the kingdom, the partial hardening for Israel will end, and Jesus will seal the 12 tribes of 12,000 Jewish evangelists who will take the gospel to Israel in the last 5 years of tribulation during the time of God's wrath on unbelieving mankind.

 

2 years of tribulation of the saints will be followed by 5 years of God's wrath on unbelieving mankind. Christians are not destined for God's wrath, however the saints will experience tribulation, persecution, being hated by all nations and put to death in this world.

 

3. Just as Jesus gave the blind man clear vision after the second touch, God also gives his saints greater and greater revelation of Jesus as they seek to know him with all their heart.                                                                                                                                                                                                      

 

For example, the disciples first began to recognize Jesus as their Messiah by revelation from the Father.  And even though Jesus said he would die and rise after three days, on the day of the resurrection the Lord opened the minds of his discouraged and partially blinded disciples a second time to understand the scriptures and see Jesus clearly as Israel's victorious suffering Messiah and not their conquering King. After this the disciples learned they would suffer persecution as they shared the gospel with Israel (taking up their cross and following Jesus). Then Peter was shown by the Spirit that the gospel was to be shared with the Gentiles, Acts 10. As the disciples faithfully followed Jesus their revelation of him became clearer and progressively deeper. And so also Christians will mature in their perception of Jesus and his Word if they seek to follow God's will, Jer 29:13, Pro 8:17.

 

4.  When a child of God is first saved they begin to understand their sins have been forgiven. This is the first touch of revelation a born-again child of God receives from the Father in heaven. And if a child of God matures in the Lord and dies to their sinful desires, they will grow and become spiritual fathers who disciple born-again children. Spiritual fathers know him who is from the beginning, knowing Jesus intimately through years of walking with him in faith and love, progressively receiving deeper and deeper revelations of Jesus, 1 John 2:13-14, 1 Cor 4:15.

 

Saints who grow and mature in the Lord go from faith to faith, strength to strength and glory to glory, growing closer and more intimate with Jesus through faith, love, obedience and revelation, Pro 8:17.

 

Romans 1:17  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."

 

Psalms 84:4-7  Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah.  (5)  Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.  (6)  As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools.  (7)  They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.

 

2 Corinthians 3:16-18  But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.  (17)  Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  (18)  And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

 

1 Corinthians 13:9-13  For we know in part and we prophesy in part,  (10)  but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.  (11)  When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.  (12)  For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.  (13)  So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

 

Matthew 11:25  At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;

 

John 16:12-14  "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. (13)  When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. (14)  He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

 

Proverbs 8:17  I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.