AMY TURNER

The Bible tells us of a remarkable healing that unfolds differently than others. In Mark 8:24, a blind man is brought to Jesus in the town of Bethsaida. Rather than healing him immediately in front of the crowd, Jesus takes the man outside the village to a quieter place. There, Jesus uses an unusual method — placing spit on the man’s eyes — and asks what he can see.

The man responds that he sees people, but they look like trees walking around. His sight had begun to return, but it wasn’t yet clear. Then Jesus places his hands on the man’s eyes a second time, and his vision is fully restored.

I think this shows us how God’s help can come in stages if it serve’s God’s plan for us. It wasn’t that Jesus failed the first time, but rather that the healing was done progressively. Why? The Bible doesn’t tell us. Perhaps to meet the man’s personal need or to teach a lesson about patience and trust in God’s timing. Not every answer to prayer arrives instantly, yet every step is an expression of mercy.

The Lord’s acts of mercy indeed do not end,
For His compassions do not fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23