Mark 8:22-33
Mark loves to use the miraculous signs toward a larger point.
While only once here in Mark’s gospel, Jesus often has to do work on someone more than one initial time.
The disciples are bold and correct enough to declare Jesus’ Messiahship. But they do not know its full implication.
Mark 8:22-33
Jesus and his disciples came to Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man to Jesus and begged him to touch and heal him. Taking the blind man’s hand, Jesus led him out of the village. After spitting on his eyes and laying his hands on the man, he asked him, “Do you see anything?”
The man looked up and said, “I see people. They look like trees, only they are walking around.”
Then Jesus placed his hands on the man’s eyes again. He looked with his eyes wide open, his sight was restored, and he could see everything clearly. Then Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t go into the village!”
Jesus and his disciples went into the villages near Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?”
They told him, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, and still others one of the prophets.”
He asked them, “And what about you? Who do you say that I am?”
Peter answered, “You are the Christ.” Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone about him.
Then Jesus began to teach his disciples: “The Human One must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and the legal experts, and be killed, and then, after three days, rise from the dead.” He said this plainly. But Peter took hold of Jesus and, scolding him, began to correct him. Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, then sternly corrected Peter: “Get behind me, Satan. You are not thinking God’s thoughts but human thoughts.”
Prayer
God,
As I begin this new day, my heart is open. Just as Jesus healed the blind man and revealed the truth of who he was, I pray that you would open my eyes to see you more clearly.
Help me to recognize you as the King, the Son of God, and to understand the depth of your love and sacrifice for the world. Kings these days are happy to spend the resources of the world on wars. It’s maddening to me, Lord. Teach us to embrace the path of discipleship, even when it requires self-denial and suffering.
Give me the strength and courage to take up my cross daily and follow you faithfully, trusting in your promise of redemption and resurrection.
May your Spirit guide me throughout this day, showing forth a path by your wisdom and grace. May everything I do be a reflection of your love and glory.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.