THE SECOND TOUCH Mark 8.22-26 God always deals with people on the basis of faith. The incident of the blind man of Bethsaida is a wonderful story of how God deals differently with different people. It is the story of healing. But unlike many of Jesus’ healings, this one did not occur instantly. There was a process involved in this healing. This story communicates to us the needed truth that God deals with each of us on the basis of what we need. He meets each of us personally, where we are, and deals with us as individuals. People Always Have Expectations of God They came to Bethsaida , and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. Mark 8.22 All of us have expectations of God, and it may well benefit us to look at the expectations we have, to see whether they are indeed accurate and reasonable. Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida ! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the Day of Judgment than for you. Matthew 11.21-24 Jesus sent him home, saying, ‘Don't go into the village.’ Mark 8.26 He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, ‘Do you see anything?’ Mark 8.23 What we expect God to do is not always what he does. But we can be assured that what he does will be precisely what we need. What We Observe are Symbols of Grace – God’s Second Touch He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, ‘Do you see anything?’ He looked up and said, ‘I see people; they look like trees walking around.’ Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Mark 8.23-25 It is important for us to understand that the symbols of grace are not the substance of grace. Also, it is important for us to understand that symbols of grace do serve to stimulate faith. Jesus Took This Blind Man through a Process of Faith in Order to Restore His Sight Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7.7-8 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good . And there was evening, and there was morning--the sixth day. Genesis 1.31 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel. Genesis 3.15 No longer will there be any curse . The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. Revelation 21.3 .