The Power And Privilege Of “Another Touch”
Mark 8:22–26
(Antioch Baptist Church: Sunday, August 31st, 2025)
Shackled by a heavy burden
'Neath a load of guilt and shame
Then the hand of Jesus touched me
And now I am no longer the same.
He touched me, oh, He touched me
And oh, the joy that floods my soul
Something happened, and now I know
He touched me, and made me whole.
Songwriters: William J. Gaither (1963). He Touched Me lyrics ©
On December 7th, 1997, Jesus Christ “touched me” and I was instantly and eternally changed. At that same moment I was completely filled with the Holy Spirit. Since that time my Savior has had His hand on me! In fact, He assures me in His Word that I am so firmly in the grip of His hand that no man can pluck me out of it!
With that being said, there have been many times when I have received “another touch” metaphorically speaking. I was saved at fifteen years old but there came a time when I strayed for a season; at the age of twenty I received a “touch of restoration”. Then, when I was twenty-three Jesus reached out and touched me again and it was at that point that I surrendered to the call to preach. The Lord touched me again some three years later and led me into pastoral ministry. This time a year ago God unexpectedly provided “another touch” that led me here to Antioch.
I am confident that there are many who are in this assembly today who would testify that they have received numerous touches from the Savior. At the same time, there are many others in this place who are in need of “another touch”.
It is important for you to understand that when I speak of “another touch”, I am not implying that you need to get “saved again”, nor am I saying that you are in need of a “second work of grace” where you are “baptized in the Holy Spirit”. Instead, I am referring to the reality that all who belong to Christ are involved in a process called sanctification.
Sanctification is the process by which Christians are made holy and grow into the image of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This lifelong spiritual journey is empowered by the Holy Spirit and involves a gradual transformation of a believer's character, thoughts, and actions to become more like Christ, marked by increasing righteousness and the fruit of the Spirit.
Among the numerous miracles that Jesus performed, the one in our selected text is unique because it occurred in two stages. Jesus spit on the eyes of the blind man and he received the ability to see, but his vision was blurry. He could see men, but they looked like trees walking. Then Jesus touched him again and he could see clearly. I would like to examine this amazing transformation and consider “The Power & Privilege Of Another Touch”.
Jesus and the Disciples entered Bethsaida. Upon their arrival they were met by some people who brought a blind man to the Savior and begged Him to touch him. We are not told who these people are, but they must have heard about or seen the miracle working power of the Lord Jesus. Perhaps one of them had even been a recipient of their own personal miracle at the hand of the Savior. Regardless, these people were CONVINCED of the miracle working power of Jesus Christ.
They were not only convinced, they were COMPASSIONATE! This blind man was a close friend or even a family member. They knew that his condition was something that affected every area of his life. His blindness prevented him from working and providing for his family. He was unable to see the beauty of his wife’s face, or to see his children smile. He couldn’t see the danger in front of him or the beauty around him. (It seems that this man was not born blind because the text speaks of his sight being “restored” and he knew what trees looked like).
Though there were many physical and emotional struggles associated with his condition, it must have been a tremendous encouragement to know that there were people who genuinely cared for him. Those people were convinced of Jesus’ power, they possessed compassion for their friend, and they were COMMITTED to the task of getting Him to Jesus. They went to where Jesus was, possibly even fighting through a crowd to get to Him. Their determination shines through and it appears that they were willing to overcome any obstacle in their way in an effort to see their friend received a miracle from the Master.
This unnamed group of faithful friends were convinced, they were compassionate, they were committed, and they were COMMENDED. You may be looking at the passage and asking, “where do you see that, preacher?” While it is not recorded that Jesus praised them for bringing their friend to Him, their efforts were so important that the Holy Spirit saw fit to record them in scripture and use them as an example throughout Church history.
There is much that we can learn from these devoted friends of the blind man. As Christians, it is a given that we are CONVINCED that Jesus is who He says He is! As a result we should have COMPASSION on those who do not know Him and we must be COMMITTED to do whatever it takes to get them to Him. Though we may never be celebrated down here, we can rest in the reality that by pointing others to Jesus we bring glory to the Father. Furthermore, we can look forward to a day when we will be COMMENEDED by our Savior as He says, “well done good and faithful servant!”
Whoever these people were, they got their blind friend to Jesus and he received one of the most unique miracles that is recorded in the Gospels. As we examine the work that Jesus did in the life of the blind man, we see that:
THIS MIRACLE WAS PERSONAL
v23a And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village,
Jesus led this man out of the village and away from the crowds. We are not told why Jesus chose to operate in this manner but it is important to remember that Bethsaida had already been judged because of its unbelief. In Matthew 11:21-22 Jesus said, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you.” Based on this declaration, it seems that no more evidence would be given to the residents of those cities.
Regardless of Jesus’ motivation for taking this man away from the village, the beautiful reality is that when Jesus touches someone, when He transforms them physically, spiritually, or eternally, it is a very personal interaction. Verse 23 also shows us that:
THIS MIRACLE WAS PECULIAR
v23b “and when He had spit on his eyes and laid His hands on him.”
The Gospels record the healing of at least seven blind men, and they show that our Lord used a variety of approaches. On one occasion He touched the blind, on another He simply spoke the words. There was one instance where He spit on the ground, made clay, applied it to the man’s eyes, and then commanded him to go to the pool of Siloam and wash. When Bartimaeus asked to receive his sight, Jesus simply declared, "Go, your faith has made you well."
In this instance Jesus spit on the man’s eyes, asked a question, touched him again and then the man’s sight was restored. This miracle was peculiar because Jesus “spit in his eyes” and “laid hands on him”. On the surface we would assume that this man would have much rather preferred Jesus simply saying, “go for your faith has made you whole”. But the reality is, this man did not care about the method, he just wanted a miracle!
The most peculiar thing about this miracle was not the “spit in the eye” it was the fact that it took place in two stages. This is the only miracle in the Gospel’s that occurred in such a way! This leads us to the fact that:
THIS MIRACLE WAS PROGRESSIVE
After spitting in his eyes, Jesus asked him, “Do you see anything? “And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.”
Why did Jesus touch the man a second time before he could see? It was not because healing this man was too difficult for Jesus. It is possible that Jesus chose to perform this miracle in stages to test the man’s faith, (remember it was the faith of his friends that got him to the Savior). It is also possible that Jesus was attempting to show His Disciples that some healing would be gradual rather than instantaneous.
- Two stages or not, there is no denying the reality that:
THIS MIRACLE WAS POWERFUL
v25 Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.
The blind man received a touch, and then he received another touch; at that second touch he received 20/20 vision! This miracle (like all the rest) demonstrated the awesome power of Jesus Christ. Interestingly, this was the final miracle that Jesus performed in the region of Galilee.
Look back to verses 11-12, “The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” The Pharisees demanded a sign and Jesus informed them that their time had passed, by this point He had demonstrated clear evidence that He was the Son of God and the Promised Messiah. This is perhaps another reason Jesus took the blind man outside of the village to heal him. Though the people of Bethsaida, and the Scribes and Pharisees missed the Messiah, this lowly blind man received a powerful touch from Jesus and his life was never the same.
- This miracle was personal, peculiar, progressive, and powerful; verse 26 shows us that:
THIS MIRACLE WAS PURPOSEFUL
v26 And (Jesus) sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”
The blind man was not from Bethsaida; Jesus instructed him to go to his home and to bypass that village. The Lord did not want this man to waste his time sharing the news of his miracle with unbelieving Bethsaida. Instead, he was to go to his own hometown and spread the Good News of the kingdom. He was to be a witness of the miracle working power of Jesus Christ by showing others what Jesus had done for him.
This miracle was personal but the results would be public! Jesus was going to use this man as a witness who would reach his family, friends, neighbors, and strangers with the Good News! Ultimately, this miracle would serve to bring glory to God!
Another important aspect of this miracle is the fact that Jesus used the healing of this man to strengthen the faith of His Disciples. This “two-stage miracle” is seen by many scholars as a metaphor for the disciples' own gradual spiritual understanding of Jesus' identity and mission. Those these man had “left all and followed Jesus”, though they had been traveling with Him for an extended period of time, and though they had seen many miracles, there were times when they just didn’t “get it”!
At this point in time, Jesus had recently cast a demon out of a Syrophoenician woman's daughter, given a deaf man the ability to hear, and fed over 4,000 people with only seven loaves and a few fish (Mark 7:24-30; 31-37; 8:1-10). You would think at this juncture in their journey the Disciples would “get it”. You would think that they would see Jesus for who He truly is. Especially considering that these are men who left everything behind in order to follow Him. However, the verses preceding our selected text proves otherwise!
Jesus and the Disciples boarded their boat and headed for the other side of the lake. The Disciples had forgotten to bring bread along with them and only had one loaf in the boat. Jesus warned His men to “beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod.” They thought that He was referring to the fact that they had no bread. As they discussed the issue among themselves Jesus said, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?” (Mark 8:17-21).
The closing passage of this chapter describes a moment where it appears that the Disciples’ perception and understanding is beginning to improve. The Lord asks them, “Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets” (Mark 8:28-29). Then, Jesus asks a more pointed question, He said, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ” (Mark 8:30).
I often refer to this as Peter’s shining moment! This man who had perennial “foot-in-mouth disease” finally had the right answer to a question! Unfortunately, within mere moments Peter would blow it! As Jesus began to inform His followers that He “must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him” (Mark 8:31-32). In response, Jesus “rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.’”
After all they had seen and heard, the Disciple’s faith was still small. In fact, it would be after the death, burial and resurrection of the Savior that they would finally “get it”! Thankfully, Jesus didn’t give up on them; time and time again He provided them with “another touch”. Aren’t you glad that Jesus comes along when we need it most and gives us “another touch”.
The transformation of the blind man illustrates the personal nature of Jesus’ work in the lives of His people. And like the blind man, sometimes Jesus has to remove us from certain places and get us away from certain people so that we can see clearly. It may be that God has to get you away from certain family members before you can see Him for who He is. He may have to remove you from your current “peer group” in order to provide you with a new perspective! Many times the Lord has to get you out of a certain relationship before you can truly experience the transformation that you so desperately need.
Sometimes in order to receive clear perspective, Jesus has to take you away from a certain place. It may be that your job, your hobby, your recreational activities are blurring your spiritual vision. There are times when the Lord takes these things away in a shocking manner for your own spiritual benefit. The personal touch from the Savior is not always a pleasant experience in the moment, but it is always beneficial.
In a vast crowd such as is assembled here today, God is moving in the lives of many of His people, but each instance is personal and unique. As we speak the Lord may be drawing one (or more) to repent and receive salvation. At the same time the Holy Spirit may be convicting a prodigal to return to the Father’s house. Simultaneously, He may be comforting one who is consumed with grief and sorrow. While all of this is going on, He may be dealing with a faithful servant to take the step of surrendering to some specific call to ministry.
No matter what the Lord is doing in your life at this very moment, don’t miss the fact that it is an amazing privilege that the God of the Universe is a personal Savior who cares and moves in a special and specific way in the lives of His children. He doesn’t just move in a personal way, often (as in the case of the blind man) He works in very peculiar ways.
Sometimes God does things in our lives that make absolutely no sense to us. He could have simply said the words and this man would have received perfect vision, but the Lord chose to operate in a different and rather strange way. Right now, you may be experiencing something that makes no sense at the present moment, but one day you will look back and realize that Jesus was setting things in order for you to receive “another touch”. The transformation that will occur when the Savior reaches down His hand and touches you will be worth it all. Though His methods may not be what you would have chosen, when you receive “another touch” you will be able to see clearer than ever before!
Along with Jesus doing a personal and peculiar work in our lives, there are times when what He does for us is “progressive”. I am referring to the fact that sometimes Jesus does things in our lives over a period of time. There is no question that salvation is immediate and eternal but spiritual growth is a process. There are times when Jesus comes along and does an amazing and unexpected work that provides us with a clearer spiritual vision.
Anytime the Savior reaches down and touches His followers it is a very powerful experience. Sometimes you may not understand what Jesus is doing in your life. Sometimes you may not like His methods. There are times when He will take you away from certain people and places in order to allow you to see things more clearly. When He does, it is important to trust the process and realize that what He is doing will be exceedingly concerning your spiritual vision.
There are times when Jesus comes along and does a personal, peculiar, progressive, and powerful work in the lives of His people. There are various reasons that He does this. He does it for our own benefit; sometimes He uses us as an example to unbelievers; and sometimes the work that He does in our lives serves to help our brothers and sisters in Christ. When Jesus comes along and provides us with “another touch”, it is always purposeful! I am referring to the fact that the work our Lord performs in our lives serves to bring glory to the Father.
I hope and pray that you belong to Jesus. If so, then you have received that “first touch”; I am referring to the touch that leads to salvation. This is the most important touch that you will ever receive.
Since I've met this blessed Savior
Since He's cleansed and made me whole
Oh, I will never cease to praise Him.
I'll shout it while eternity rolls.
Oh, He touched me, oh He touched me, He touched me
And oh, the joy that floods my soul
Something happened and now I know
He touched me and made me whole.
If you have never surrendered to Jesus, I encourage you to repent and believe in Him today. If you know beyond any shadow of a doubt that you belong to Him, then I encourage you to pause and praise Him for “The Privilege And Power Of Another Touch”.
09012025
