Spittle on the Eyes

Q. Why did Yeshua use spittle on the eyes of a blind man in Mark 8.23?

A. Yeshua could have healed the man by any means that He wanted to, so there is a lesson that He is trying to illustrate here. You will notice that He took the man by the hand which speaks of election, in that, God chooses those who will "see" and He leads him away from the village, which symbolizes the world. You will see a similar story in Mark 7.33 where there is a deaf man and He also took the man aside, away from the others. This is necessary because we are chosen by God and then He separates us from the world by this election. We are all "deaf" and "blind" before the Lord separates us from the world.We are chosen in Him before the foundation of the world (Eph 1.4). Now, in both stories He uses spittle, which comes from his mouth which speaks of His Word. We are cleansed by the washing of His Word. Yeshua touches the tongue of the man in 7.33 and this alludes to the application of His testimony. Spittle also refers to "strength" as seen in Psalm 22.15. In Mark 8.23-26 we see that Yeshua applied the spittle to the mans eyes and the healing was not immediate. Yeshua again lays His hands on the man and in v 25 the man began to see clearly. This alludes to the fact that the Gospel and salvation comes in power and it dispels the darkness of the mind and introduces spiritual "light" into a new believer. This light is small at first but gradually the person will gain full insight. So, in both stories Yeshua is using spittle which comes from His mouth, which speaks of the power of His word to deliver the chosen and set apart person to receive the ability to hear and see spiritually. God speaks in many ways to accomplish this. Some have heard the actual voice of God, like Paul on the road to Damascus. He may send messengers or speak to us through the Scriptures. He also will use circumstances to lead and guide us like He did with the brothers of Joseph. He also can use dark speech which is seen in the parables. Another way He will speak to us is through dreams, like Joseph. There are visions which we may see while awake, with pictures flashing in our mind or a prolonged vision, as if we are watching a movie for instance. Then there is the still, small voice of the Lord that can lead us. These stories in Mark 7.33 and 8.23 are real life applications of how the Lord calls us, separates us and leads us to salvation through His word as illustrated by the use of spittle.