Mark 8v22-26 I see men as trees, walking Part 2 of 3

2014-12-28 Mark 8:22-26 I see men as trees, walking. Does increased faith lead to physical healing? Many Christians would say, “yes,” and this passage in Mark 8:22-26 is used to support that theory. However, when we look at Mark 8:22-26, we see that the blind man represents the spiritual blindness of the nation of Israel. Israel is to go outside their religious system in order to be saved, just like this blind man was led out of the town by Jesus. Jesus spits on his eyes, as a sign on Israel’s sinful, fallen condition. Jesus puts His hands on the man as a sign of the Mosaic law that God gave Israel. That law cannot be obeyed completely by Israel, even though the Jewish religion would say it could. Rather, it will take the sacrifice of Jesus to atone for their sins so that Israel can spiritually see clearly, just as Jesus had to touch the eyes of the blind man a second time in order for him to see clearly. The man, who can now see, is told not to go back to town, just like believing Israel should not go back to apostate Israel. Thus, rather than being an example of increased faith leading to physical healing, the healing of the blind man represents God’s dealings with Israel over time to bring them into the kingdom by His provision under the law covenant and their belief of the gospel.