In his book, Spiritual Depression: Its Causes & Cures, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones has a sermon on Mark 8:22-26 entitled "Men As Trees, Walking".
MLJ details (you can read it online at google.print) what Jesus is trying to teach here by this strange method of healing the man in stages. Other places Jesus simply says, "Receive your sight!" and there's immediate healing. Not so in Mark 8. Why? MLJ gives much good into... then concludes by bringing an application to our dealings with Jesus.
What then is the cure? It is to be honest and to answer our Lord's question truthfully and honestly. That is the whole secret of the matter. Jesus turned to this man and asked: "Do you see ought (ESV: Do you see anything?)". And the man said, absolutely honestly:
MLJ details (you can read it online at google.print) what Jesus is trying to teach here by this strange method of healing the man in stages. Other places Jesus simply says, "Receive your sight!" and there's immediate healing. Not so in Mark 8. Why? MLJ gives much good into... then concludes by bringing an application to our dealings with Jesus.
What then is the cure? It is to be honest and to answer our Lord's question truthfully and honestly. That is the whole secret of the matter. Jesus turned to this man and asked: "Do you see ought (ESV: Do you see anything?)". And the man said, absolutely honestly:
"I do see, but I am seeing men as if they were trees walking". What saved this man was his absolute honesty." (In other words, we should say to Jesus: "I see some things but not clearly. I know you are better than life itself, but my sight is blurry. I don't see enough.")
The last step is to submit to Jesus, utterly. The man did not object to further treatment, he rejoiced in it... How about you? Are you sadly tempted to stop at the little bit of healing Jesus has done in your life? Or do you have the humility and the desire for wholeness... that submits utterly to Him. Do not object to further treatment from Jesus!
