Mark 8:22-25 “He came to Bethsaida. They brought a blind man to him, and begged him to touch him. He took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village. When he had spit on his eyes, and laid his hands on him, he asked him if he saw anything. He looked up, and said, “I see men; for I see them like trees walking.” Then again he laid his hands on his eyes. He looked intently, and was restored, and saw everyone clearly.” (WEB)
This is such an amazing story of restoration. Jesus had spent most of the day in the boat with His disciples. When they came to Bethsaida people clamored around Jesus begging him to touch this blind man. And it is fascinating to note that Jesus did NOT bow to the demands of the people.
He seized the guy by the hand, pulled him outside the village and away from all the people. When they were far enough away, and pretty much alone, Jesus spit in the guy’s eyes! Then Jesus laid hands on his eyes and the guy received a partial healing. Jesus laid hands on him a second time, and then he saw clearly. And the text reads, He … was restored. Jesus didn’t just heal the eyes; he restored the man!
Healing the body is important. But God is always more interested in restoring the soul of a man than in only healing his body.
The people of Bethsaida were pressing Jesus to change this man’s circumstance. They could only see how difficult the man’s life was because of his blindness. But Jesus saw further than the people. And Jesus had to separate the man from those surrounding him. Consoling someone in their misery is great proof of Christian charity, but it is not always the best path towards restoration.
Jesus seized the man by force and dragged him away from his friends. Then Jesus insulted him by spitting in his eyes. God could have healed him without spitting. But there was something much deeper that God was doing in the man besides healing his eyes. God was applying a healing salve to this man’s soul.
And God is doing the same thing in your life during this fast. He is dragging you away from those who perhaps have brought comfort to you, but haven’t been able to produce the restoration you need. And the way God is dealing with you might even seem strange, and perhaps even insulting.
The process may not be achieved immediately. It may take two times, three times, or even a hundred times. But each time you are one step closer to seeing things just like Jesus sees them.
What is God restoring in your soul? Has the process already begun, and where are you in regards the finish line?
Jeûne de Daniel 
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