Jesus had to heal a blind man the second time. The first touch gave the man partial healing; he was only able to see men as trees. Sometimes we see people as trees and we need Jesus’ second touch to help us see people for whom God has created them!
Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. 23 So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything.
24 And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.”
25 Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. 26 Then He sent him away to his house, saying, “Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town.” Mark 8:22-26
When we receive Christ and begin to follow Him, the Lord changes and we have a better disposition. This change makes us think that we can now love all people and reach all people. But sooner or later, we are faced with individuals who rub us the wrong way or threaten our ambitions. We get offended, hurt, and disappointed, and we no longer see people the way we used to. They look more like obstacles in achieving our goals/ambitions than the brother or sister in Christ we used to love.
When we see people as trees, we lose focus on the fact that they are still image- bearers of God! Trees are objects. A tree doesn’t have a soul, so we don’t have to give our attention or affection to it. We lose compassion for people, and we lose sight of the Lord’s love for them.
Some people enjoy spending more time with their animals than the people around them. They can spend a lot of time and money on their hobbies but lack compassion for people. While we need to steward everything that God has given us with diligence, at the end of the day, it is the relationships that should be the priority over our hobbies, animals, houses, cars, etc.
Are there people in your life who look like trees!? In what relationship do you need a second touch of healing from the Lord!? Do you need God’s second healing touch!? Let’s pray that the Lord would give us eyes to see people through His eyes and have compassion for others. We can’t reach people any other way!
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