Jesus Needed A Do-Over?

Has anyone read that story in Mark 8:22-26 where Jesus encounters a blind man who was in need of healing? The story goes that Jesus spit on his eyes..that's an interesting component in itself...and then asked if he could see. The man said, "I see men, for I am seeing them like trees, walking about." Apparently Jesus' miracle didn't work on the first try, so he again laid his hands on him and, this time, he could see. What is the point of this story? Why would Mark seek to include it in his gospel. Especially in a gospel that emphasizes the "events" of Jesus' life rather than extensive depth in his teachings. Wouldn't this second attempt at a miracle undermine the purpose of Mark to show that Jesus was indeed the Son of God, with all authority to not only perfrom miracles, but also to save? If you know anything of the structure of Mark, you'll notice all throughout the book certain "bookends" that sandwich truth. There's an opening event or theme followed by some "unpacking" and then closed with something similar to the opening. In this case we have the opening being the healing of a blind man at Bethsaida (8:22-26) followed by some teaching and closed again with another healing of a blind man in 10:46-52. So, what's the point? In the opening healing, you have a blind man who is "healed" but still can't see clearly, requiring Jesus to do it again. Jesus was giving his disciples an object lesson, one that they obviously didn't understand. He was trying to relate to them the truth of how they aren't seeing things "clearly". Immediately after this "unclear" healing, Jesus begins telling his disciples about his death, and what does Peter do? He protests! The Bible says that Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him! In Peter's mind, how could their conquering king restore the kingdom if he was dead? They didn't see clearly. So Jesus again predicts his death in 9:30-32, and this time the disciples argue over who's the greatest in the kingdom. They didn't see clearly. Again for a third time Jesus predicts his death in 10:32-45, and this time James and John are playing politics, asking Jesus to give them the highest status! They still don't see clearly! Jesus ends this section saying, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." Apparently the object lesson was over, or maybe Jesus just got tired of his disciples not getting it, so the next blind man he came across was healed on the "first try", which I think is not a coincidence. Simple Application: Are you seeing Jesus like a tree? Understanding is the marker of a disciple. Do you have understanding? Do you "perceive" the things that God is doing in your life, or the things He wants to do through your life? If it's as clear as mud, ask Jesus to help to help you see clearly!