Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. (Mark 8:25)
In the third grade, I began having difficulty seeing what the teacher was writing on the chalkboard. I didn’t understand what was happening at first. The degradation of my eyesight was a slow process and one that I managed for a while. If I squinted hard enough I could make out the letters or numbers on the board. This straining of my eyes, though, led to headaches and fatigue. Uncommon symptoms in an otherwise rambunctious ten year old. An eye exam at a school health fair confirmed my experience and my dire need for glasses. I remember the first time I put on my glasses. Everything was so clear, so crisp. It was like entering a completely new world.
The stories we read of Jesus giving sight to the blind are powerful on many levels. They were personally powerful and life-changing for those who received sight. They are vivid reminders for us that we serve a powerful and compassionate God. They also symbolize the experience of having our eyes opened spiritually to see God moving and working in the world. Once our eyes were darkened to the kingdom of heaven; but in love and compassion Christ has opened our eyes. At first we may be able to see only dim reflections of the kingdom, but as he touches us again our sight will grow clearer.
With open eyes, see the kingdom of heaven at work.
Mark A. Moore is an associate professor of theology at William Jessup University and the spiritual formation pastor at Faith Legacy [Wesleyan] Church in Sacramento.
© 2020 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
