“Seeing Clearly: The Power of Persistent Faith”

 The Book of Mark

Encountering The Miracles And Mission of Jesus Christ

Opening Illustration:

Good morning Eastern Shore Baptist Church. Thank you so much for joining us for worship this morning. Today, we are back in a series entitled “The Book of Mark: Encountering The Miracles and Mission of Jesus Christ”. This morning, we are in week 9 of a 20 week series. This morning we are going to be looking at a very interesting story about Jesus and a blind man. It is a familiar trope in the Bible. Here we have someone with an ailment, an illness, a disease. We do not know how long this man had suffered from this disease but we do know that this illness was terminal. It was in its final stage. This man was completely blind, unable to see. How do we know this to be true? We see in Scripture that “some people” brought this man to Jesus. He was unable to see Jesus, unable to find Christ on His own. Therefore, “some people” brought this man to Christ. This is a point that I will return to in a few minutes. “Some people” brought a man living in darkness to the one man who could give Him sight, who could shine light in his darkness. Again, this is a familiar tale. Sick man brought to Jesus and Jesus heals him. However, Jesus does something that parts with norms. He heals him in a very unusual way. We see that for a moment that Jesus restores more than this man’s sight. This man, for a brief moment, is able to see something that non of us are able to witness. Again, I will come back to that point in a few moments as well. All this being said, Jesus heals this man as He does with so many others. 

Brothers and sisters, Jesus is a healer. Time and time again, Jesus heals. He mends. He binds up the broken. He fixes the frail. He alleviates the ailing. He doctors the disordered, the down, the debilitated and the declining. Sometimes Jesus does this with a word. Other times He does this with a touch. Here is something that we learn in Scripture, when Jesus heals He heals completely. He heals from head to toe, from stem to stern. Jesus remains undefeated to every disease. He transforms the terminally ill patient into the terrifically healthy and whole person. Jesus never left an invalid feeling “invalid”. He was never stumped with someone’s sickness. It didn’t matter if it was blindness, muteness, deformity, or death, Jesus healed them all. 

Why is this important for today? It is important because that means that Jesus can heal you too. Jesus is aware of your suffering. He is with you in your torment. Can Jesus heal you of your physical illness? Of course He can. Can you cure you of your depression? Absolutely! 100%. Know this friends, just because He can doesn’t mean that He will. God’s goal for us is not always physical healing but it is absolutely spiritual healing? God cares more for your soul than your temporary situation. While you may be afflicted today, take heart, with Christ you are looking towards an eternity of wellness and joy. 

Today’s message is entitled “Seeing Clearly: The Power of Persistent Faith”. Do me a favor this morning, fill in the blanks under “Today’s Thought”. Christ is calling, come to him and see with clarity. 

Do you agree with me this morning that we are living in a very blurry world? Growing up, I never heard phrases like “I’m living out my truth”. No! Scripture is clear that there is “the truth” and anything apart from “the truth” is a “a lie”. Our society has embraced a moral relativist philosophy where truth is subjective. Meaning that truth shifts from person to person. What is right for me may be wrong for you and what is wrong for you may be right for me. We are living in a society that celebrates sexual sin and calls it “Pride”. The “church” is falling prey to this ideology. What are we to do? Simple, come to Christ. Read His Word. Plant your feet on the bedrock of truth found within its pages. Live it’s truth in love to a lost and dying world. 

Have you ever noticed that Jesus never was angry at a person for being sick? Have you ever noticed that Jesus never threw away someone due to sickness? Oh friends, neither should we. We can stand for truth, tell our neighbors about Christ, and be loving. This man was brought to Christ. He was sick. We are all sick. Sick with sin. Yet sickness cannot stand in the presence of Christ. If you want to see clearly, don’t look to yourself. Don’t look to a movement. Don’t trust the media. Don’t by what Target is trying to sell you. Turn to Christ and He will help you see clearly. Christ will heal you. 

One of my favorite writers is Dallas Willard. One of his seminal works is “The Divine Conspiracy”. The first time I read this book was when I was in a philosophy class at Samford University. I still have the book on my shelve today. I love what Dr. Willard has to say about seeing Christ. Really seeing Jesus for who He is, what He has really done, and what He wants to do with you and I today. 

"When we see Jesus as He really is, we see the reality of the kingdom of God. Seeing reality for what it truly is comes only through Jesus, who opens our eyes to the divine presence in every moment. He invites us to live in the fullness of life that He offers, to see the world through the lens of His love and truth, transforming our daily existence into a journey of spiritual growth and discovery."

Today’s Message:

“Seeing Clearly: The Power of Persistent Faith”

Today’s Thought:

Christ Is Calling, Come To Him And See With Clarity!

Today’s Quote:

"When we see Jesus as He really is, we see the reality of the kingdom of God. Seeing reality for what it truly is comes only through Jesus, who opens our eyes to the divine presence in every moment. He invites us to live in the fullness of life that He offers, to see the world through the lens of His love and truth, transforming our daily existence into a journey of spiritual growth and discovery."

-Dallas Willard

“The Divine Conspiracy”

This morning, we are reading from Mark 8:22-26. Before we start, I want to remind you that…

Statement of Belief:

We believe the Bible to be inspired, God breathed, infallible, and authoritative. We believe the Bible is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training believer’s in righteousness. God’s Word gives life. It provides peace in trouble and protection in tribulation. It is alive, active, and cuts to the core of the human soul. Since there is no other book like it, let us stand to show our reverence and respect.  

I’m reading this morning from the English Standard Version. 

Today’s Scripture:

Mark 8:22-26 ESV

And they 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. [26] And he sent him to his home, saying, "Do not even enter the village."

Pastor: “This is the Word of the Lord.”

Congregation: “Praise His Name, Praise His Holy Name”

What Is The Message Behind Jesus’ Miracle?

1. Blindness: Recognize Our Spiritual Deficiency vs. 22

So, what is the message behind Jesus’ miracle? After all, Holy Scripture speaks into our lives today. It impacts us, tells us truth, and helps us to see more clearly. So, what can we learn from this miracle? 

Well first off, we learn about blindness. We all need to recognize our spiritual deficiency. Without Christ, we are all spiritually blind. Without Christ, we are all living in darkness. Listen to what Jesus says about the darkness that we are all living in, 

Matthew 6:22-23 ESV

"The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, [23] but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

Growing up, I was terrified of the darkness. As I grew up my fear of the darkness subsided. However, as I have had children, I have relieved that fear through my children. Many of you have kids or have raised kids. Remember those times when you are or were putting your kids to bed? As you would walk out of the room, you’d turn back to your son or daughter and ask them the age old question, “do you want me to leave the door open or closed”. For years your kids would say “leave the door open”. Why? Because they were scared of the dark. However, as our kids get older, they are more confident. They have years of knowledge that their parents are there to protect them. No harm has befallen them, at least to this point, there is nothing to fear. As our kids grow up, they are more at east with the door being closed. The darkness is not very scary when you know that even if that door is shut, you are still in the presence of your parents, your protectors. 

Imagine living your entire life in the dark. No protectors. No help. No security. That was this man’s daily life. His everyday existence. 

“And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him.”

His inability to see was a tangible, daily struggle that left him dependent on others and cut off from experiencing the world around him. As Jesus healed this man's physical blindness, we see a powerful parallel to our own lives. Just as this man was blind, we too suffer from a different kind of blindness—spiritual blindness.

Spiritual blindness or spiritual darkness is something that everyone wrestles with before they are united with Christ Jesus. The Bible speaks clearly about our condition of spiritual blindness. In 2 Corinthians 4:4, Paul writes, "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." This verse tells us that Satan, the god of this age, actively works to keep people from seeing the truth of the Gospel.

Why are we blind? Our spiritual blindness stems from sin. In John 9:39-41, Jesus says, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind." The Pharisees, who were confident in their own spiritual sight, were in reality blind to the truth of who Jesus was because of their pride and self-righteousness.

Isaiah 59:2 also highlights the cause of our spiritual blindness: "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." Sin creates a barrier that prevents us from seeing and knowing God clearly.

Let me illustrate this with a story. Imagine a beautiful painting in a dimly lit room. You can make out shapes and colors, but the details are obscured by the darkness. As the light gradually increases, the painting becomes clearer, revealing its true beauty. Our spiritual journey is much like this. Without the light of Christ, we only see shadows and forms, missing the fullness of God's glory.

Several years ago, I met a man who was struggling deeply with understanding his purpose in life. He knew about God but didn’t have a personal relationship with Him. His vision of God was dim, and he felt lost and confused.

We started meeting regularly to study the Bible together. As he read more of God’s Word and began to pray earnestly, I could see a transformation taking place. It was like watching that dim room grow brighter and brighter. His understanding of God’s love and grace deepened, and he started to see his life in a new light. The details of God’s plan for him became clearer, and his faith grew stronger. Today, he’s actively serving in the church, full of joy and purpose, with a clear vision of who Jesus is and what He has done for him.

Brothers and sisters, if Jesus can bring illumination to this man’s life, He can and will do the same for you. He will help you see clearly, helping you to see the truth. By seeking Him daily, engaging with His Word, and staying in community with other believers, we can improve our spiritual sight and experience the fullness of His love and purpose.

I love what Christ says in John 9:39…

John 9:39 AMP

Then Jesus said, "I came into this world for judgment [to separate those who believe in Me from those who reject Me-to declare judgment on those who choose to be separated from God], so that the sightless would see, and those who see would become blind."

What Is The Message Behind Jesus’ Miracle?

1. Blindness: Recognize Our Spiritual Deficiency vs. 22

2. Belief: Trust In Jesus For Healing vs. 23

So, our first lesson is about blindness. We must recognize our spiritual deficiency. Our second lesson is about belief. We must trust in Jesus for our healing. We see this powerfully illustrated in verse 23 and 24. 

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." 

Most people will assume that this story is about the blind man. They are not wrong. Let’s be honest, the hero of the story is of course Jesus. He is the one drawing this man from the darkness of his illness. Let me share with you the people that never get the focus in this story. Who am I talking about out? 

I’m talking about the “some people”. Jesus, on a number of occasions, told people that He healed them due to “their faith”. It was their faith that healed them. 

“It was your faith that made you well”. 

Specifically it was their faith in Christ that made them well. No where in this story is it speculated that this man, the blind man, had faith in Christ. What I believe is speculated is that these nameless “some people” did have faith in Christ, which is what led them to bring this blind man to Jesus Christ. Of course they had faith in Christ, otherwise they would not have wasted their time bringing this man to Jesus. 

I’m curious, over the last 6 months, how many of you had a viral infection, a sinus infection, COVID-19, or some other sort of sickness? Right, pretty much everyone in the room has been sick thus far this year. Me too. Now, how many of you, instead of going to the doctor decided to go to your neighbor’s house, request that your neighbor make for you a strange herbal concoction, and medicate yourself? Anyone? No?

That’s right. Why didn’t you do that? When you were suffering you most likely went to see a physician. Why? The reason that you didn’t go to your neighbor and the reason that you went to the doctor is…wait for it…faith. You had faith in the professionally trained and educated doctor. Your faith directed your action. You won’t waste your time on something or someone you don’t have faith in. 

These “some people” had faith in Christ and they brought the blind man to Christ.

Secondly, Scripture doesn’t tell us what their relationship was with the blind man. It doesn’t mention that they were friends or family of the blind man. Maybe they were but Scripture doesn’t tell us. I believe that these people, these “some people” were strangers and actually didn’t know the blind man. I believe this because of what Mark says in an earlier miracle. Do you remember the miracle of the paralyzed man in Mark 2. A similar story. A group of people bring a man, a sick man, to Jesus. However, Mark sets up the scene by stating that this paralyzed man was brought by four “friends”. I think that in the case of the blind man, Mark would have made the same distinction. No, I think there were people who had faith in Christ that saw a man in darkness and brought this man to Jesus Christ. 

This is a powerful lesson for us. What this demonstrates for us today is that we should not just have a heart for people that we know, our friends or our family. We should have a heart for people that our outside of our political parties, outside of our religious affiliation, people that are are not of our ethnicity, people outside of our nationality, men and women that are not of our sexual orientation. If you have faith in Christ, true faith, you should long to bring sick people, people sick with sin, to Jesus Christ. In fact, the greatest mark of friendship is to bring someone to Christ. It was their faith in Christ that made this man well. That is my belief this morning. 

These people put their whole faith, their whole heart, their entire belief in Jesus Christ to heal this man and look what happened. 

Boom! Healed! 

Friends, never stop believing that Jesus will bring healing and sight to sick blind people. Keep praying. Keep modeling faith. You never know when the day will be when someone, that friend or that stranger will say “yes” to Jesus Christ. 

Listen to Christ’s words captured in Mark 10. 

Mark 10:51-52 CSB

Then Jesus answered him, "What do you want me to do for you?" "Rabboni," the blind man said to him, "I want to see." [52] Jesus said to him, "Go, your faith has saved you." Immediately he could see and began to follow Jesus on the road.

What Is The Message Behind Jesus’ Miracle?

1. Blindness: Recognize Our Spiritual Deficiency vs. 22

2. Belief: Trust In Jesus For Healing vs. 23

3. Brightness: Embrace The Fullness of Spiritual Sight vs. 25

So, what is the message behind Jesus’ miracle? Our first answer is blindness. Recognize our spiritual deficiency. Second, belief. Trust in Jesus for healing. Lastly, we learn about brightness. Embrace the fullness of spiritual sight. Let’s go back to our Scripture this morning. 

[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. [26] And he sent him to his home, saying, "Do not even enter the village."

So, the big question is what exactly did the blind man see? To answer you honestly, I have no idea. I have my theories. I have my guesses. In my heart of hearts, I believe that Jesus opened this man’s eyes to see an entire spiritual world that our physical eyes are rarely privy to. Friends, Paul tells us that there is a spiritual batter being waged all around us. This war is fought by spiritual beings, using spiritual weapons. This spiritual warfare bleeds into our physical realm, effecting the lives of billions of people around the world. In fact, in all of these miracles that we have discussed over the last several weeks, several of them have had spiritual implications. 

Again, listen to what Paul says in Ephesians 6, 

Ephesians 6:10-12 NLT

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. [12] For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

When this man was touched by Jesus, I think that his eyes saw the spiritual world. I believe that he saw angels and demons. After the second touch of Jesus, the man’s eyesight was restored to physical norms. 

I think that there are other things at play here other than just physical and spiritual sight. When the man saw people looking like trees walking around, it symbolizes our initial stages of spiritual sight. Often, when we first come to Christ or when we're growing in our faith, we can see, but our vision may be blurred. We have some understanding, but things are not yet fully clear. This man's gradual healing mirrors our own journey toward spiritual clarity.

Jesus desires not just to heal us physically, but to restore our spiritual sight completely. He wants us to see clearly, to perceive the truth fully, and to walk in the light of His love and wisdom. In John 9:39, Jesus says, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind." Jesus came to open the eyes of our hearts, to move us from spiritual blindness to the fullness of spiritual sight.

When I was in 3rd grade, I received my first pair of glasses. I remember like it was yesterday when I put those glasses on for the first time. Everything became clear. Everything became sharp. Defined. The colors were richer. Gone were the blurs of my former way of seeing. Today, I still have to wear corrective lenses to operate. Without glasses or contacts, I’m legally blind. The scary thing is that I thought that I could see clearly. I thought that my vision was perfect. It wasn’t until I got new glasses that I realized that my vision was off. Today friends, we have billions of people that think that they are seeing clearly. We have billions that think that they are seeing truth when in reality, Satan has created for them an elaborate lie. That should grieve us. 

So, how can we have clear spiritual vision?

Stay Close to Jesus: Just as the blind man stayed with Jesus until his sight was fully restored, we must remain close to Jesus. Through prayer, worship, and reading His Word, we keep our eyes fixed on Him, allowing His light to shine brightly in our lives.

Be Open to Continual Growth: Our spiritual sight improves over time. Philippians 1:6 assures us, "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." We should be patient and persistent in our walk with God, trusting that He is continually working to clear our vision.

Engage with the Community of Believers: Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Fellowship with other believers helps us see different perspectives, encourages us, and keeps us accountable.

Seek the Guidance of the Holy Spirit: John 16:13 tells us, "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth." The Holy Spirit is our helper, guiding us into deeper understanding and clearer spiritual sight.

As we close, let's take to heart the prayer of the psalmist in Psalm 119:18: "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law." Let this be our prayer today and every day.

Brothers and sisters, Jesus wants to restore our spiritual sight. He wants us to see clearly, to live out His truth boldly, and to walk in His light joyfully. Embrace the fullness of spiritual sight He offers, and watch how your life transforms with His brightness and clarity.

Psalm 119:18 GW

Uncover my eyes so that I may see the miraculous things in your teachings.

When’s The Last Time You Had Your Vision Checked?

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for Your Word and the powerful truths found in Mark 8:22-26. Lord, we acknowledge that just as the blind man needed physical healing, we all need spiritual healing. We confess that we are sinners, blind to the fullness of Your truth, and in need of a Savior.

Jesus, we thank You for Your love and Your desire to restore our spiritual sight. We pray that You open the eyes of our hearts, help us to see You clearly, and to follow You faithfully. Increase our faith, that we might trust in Your power to heal and transform our lives.

Father, I pray for those here today who have not yet accepted Christ as their Savior. Touch their hearts, draw them close to You, and let them experience the life-changing love and grace that only You can provide. If there is anyone here feeling called to accept Jesus, to join this church family, or to be baptized, I invite them to come forward or to pray right where they are.

May Your Holy Spirit move among us, guiding us to deeper faith, closer fellowship, and a clearer vision of Your will for our lives. We ask all this in the precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Amen.