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February 16, 2022“Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village.” (Mark 8:23)
Jesus’ role as the Servant of all unfolds slowly. By working his miracles Jesus is a threat to clinched beliefs that such things like cures can’t happen. The scripture scholar, William Barclay, tells us that physical blindness has always been a scourge of the East. It is caused by ophthalmia, the glare of the sun, and poor hygiene. During Jesus’ time there were no medicinal remedies for such afflictions.
Mark continues to relate that Jesus takes the blind man away from the crowd outside the village. Jesus is tactful and understanding. Being exposed to too many people at one time may frighten this recently “seeing” person. Like a good doctor or teacher, Jesus can enter into the mind and heart of his patient. He understands the fears, hopes, and suffering of his student. He has the gift of considerateness.
In his letter today, James encourages us “to be doers of the word and not hearers only.” Jesus’ way of life is not only to be followed but to be imitated also. When we read about Jesus in the gospel, we see how he has developed the goodness of his humanity. Every encounter he has—especially with the poor and downtrodden—he treats with respect. Jesus grew up in the environs of his own Jewish culture with its gifts and its prejudices. Yet, we notice throughout his life that he makes himself aware of what hurts people. He then proceeds to avoid those damaging situations. Instead, he shows respect and deference to all people. We continue to remember that Jesus is fully human except in sin. He is susceptible to all the quirks that we are. But he chooses not to give in to those quirks that sting or hurt. We have already noticed that Jesus brought the blind man outside the village so as not to embarrass him.
Whenever we read Scripture, we need to read it in the history and culture of the time when it was written. So much of early history is ignorant of science, genetics, and healthful living. When Jesus cures people of diseases that today can be cured with medicine, he is inviting us to respect people we don’t understand. He is inviting us to use resources to keep people safe.
For many, change of attitude towards groups of people or use of refined medicine is painful. For most of us, all change is painful. Yet, our relationship, our experience of God helps us uproot those sinful habits and attitudes. Then we can re-plant our new found knowledge and respect in the fertile soil of prayer. Our daily conversation with Jesus helps us to see the holes. Grace fills those holes with respect and love.
