I have had some problems with my vision. A few years ago, after developing a case of iritis, my eye doctor kept my eyes dilated for a few weeks. I could not focus on reading at all. I could see, but I couldn’t see clearly.
Life can be like that. We don’t focus on what’s important. Like texting while driving, we are distracted. It takes effort to focus on things that are important and eternal.
It has been said, “The successful man is the average man, focused.” Even Bruce Lee recognized this when he said, “The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.” We need to focus. Otherwise you will find life becomes a blur.
Jesus healed a number of blind men during the course of his ministry, but one particular miracle is recorded only by Mark. You can read the entire story in Mark 8:22-26. It may help us understand a little about focus.
This miracle occurred in stages and the stages were initiated by Jesus. So, since Jesus could heal instantly, there must be a reason He did it this way.
Focus is often personal. Be alert.
Many people don’t focus because they just don’t want to focus. This blind man has a ‘less than caring’ attitude. We understand this from his initial less-than-enthusiastic demeanor. The initiative for his coming to Jesus came from his friends, and they did the begging, not him.
His faith was not the kind which Jesus most often chose to honor Jesus’ principle was generally, ‘According to your faith will it be done to you’ (Matt. 9:29), as for example in the case of blind Bartimaeus. That is why Jesus took this man through a progressively staged healing. He wanted the man to have a faith which matched the miracle to take place in his life. At present the man, a blind Gentile, was willing but excited.
Do you find yourself not caring about spiritual things? Maybe others are excited about Jesus and maybe you go along with them, but you just don’t see it. I hope that you will allow Jesus to work in your life until you see what life is all about.
Focus is often incomplete. Be patient.
Jesus took him by the hand. This was the touch his friends had wanted. Yet, nothing happened. This was not what his friends had expected. The Master’s touch, they thought, was all that was needed.
And even after Jesus gave him his sight, it wasn’t right. This incomplete healing was not an indication of Jesus’ inability to heal thoroughly the first time. Instead, it was a vivid teaching for the disciples. Sight was there, but it was not complete. The disciples too had spiritual sight, but it was far from complete. Jesus had rebuked the disciples for their lack of spiritual sight, but there was hope for them, just as there would be complete healing for this man.
We need to be humble and patient with ourselves and others. What we perceive today may not be the complete vision. Spiritual maturity will allow us to see clearly what God has for us.
Focus is often gradual. Have faith.
This is the only miracle which can be said to have happened gradually. Perhaps the best explanation for the two stages is that Jesus was trying to show the disciples that their faith, like this man’s sight, was becoming clearer as they walked with Him.
Spiritual maturity is never instantaneous. Even though the person whom Christ forgives is free from sin, the growth is just beginning. The secret is that our Lord never shows us more light than we can stand. That’s why the Christian life is ever growing and developing. Each day more light; each day further responses and growth.
Christ laid hands on him twice. The first enabled him to have sight; the second enabled him to see people. The final test of how much we see of Him is how well we see people around us. Wouldn’t you feel you had spent a fine day if you saw the people around you like Christ sees them?
Focus is always exterior. Get Help.
This man was blind and knew it. He needed help to see. He was taken to Jesus and He gave Him sight and focus.
Many are blind and don’t know it. They think they can see, but can’t see spiritually. They need help from Jesus.
You can read a couple more of my articles about focus & priorities: Making Jesus the Priority of Your Life, What Matters Most, For Here or To Go.