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http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%208:22-9:1&version=NIV
The whole next section through 10:52 is framed by two healings of blind men. They are real and yet point to a deeper and more universal significance than two men with a particular disability.
How might the story of the healing inform the story of Peter and his confession of Jesus? What's the significance of the whole Peter-Jesus interaction and what might it mean for our understanding of Jesus as we answer His question to us: Who do you say that I am?
Thoughts, questions, applications?
The healing of the blind man shows us that our journey to Christ may come in stages. When we recognize Christ, we begin to see the truth and through Him it becomes more clear. I don't want to confuse this thought with salvation. I am not saying that salvation comes in stages, but perhaps our understanding of Him does. For example, I consider myself a "baby Christian" My knowledge is in the infant stages. I am learning and slowly seeing the plan of God.
ReplyDeleteThis sets the stage for Peter. Jesus asked him who he was, and Peter answers correctly. Even without the resurrection, Peter knows who Christ is. But, being able to correctly identify Christ is not enough. Satan can do that. We soon see that Peter allows worldly thinking to get in his way and he becomes the adversary of Christ. How often do we all do that? I am certainly guilty!
Christ not only asks that we know who He is but that we surrender, follow, deny ourselves, sacrifice and maybe even suffer for Him. He has done all of that and more for us.
BTW - thank you for the prayers and support. I greatly appreciate them.
ReplyDeleteMatt, I completely missed the Easter connection in the last reading. After reading your post I went back and re-read the scripture. Whoa!
Great thoughts, Wendy! I think you are right about the two-stage thing. Jesus used the two-stage healing as a way of talking about healing spiritual blindness. As we have been reading this gospel it seems to refer to Jesus understood (1) as a powerful, authoritative teacher and healer whom God has announced is the Son of God, the Messiah, beloved, etc. But (2) this Jesus is also misunderstood apart from the suffering, rejection, cross and resurrection. That's why the whole section from 8:22-10:52 contains the explanation by Jesus about what He will have to undergo. So how do we only partially see Jesus? How unwilling are we to see that Jesus had to suffer? How unwilling are we to suffer in following him...even to the point of being rejected by our own friends, church folk, etc.?!
ReplyDelete9:1 Kingdom of God coming with power. Is that the resurrection ?
ReplyDeleteOr perhaps the Transfiguration?
ReplyDeleteOne of those Calvary guys from California on the radio yesterday said He was referring to the transfiguration . He also said that Mt. Herman was
ReplyDeletenear Caesarea Philippi. How do they know that the transfiguration was on Mt. Herman ?Do they know something in California that we don't ?