Today’s scripture: Mark 8:22-26 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Keith Phillips):
This healing of the blind man of Bethsaida precedes Peter’s confession at Caesarea Philippi (Mark 8: 27-38). There is almost universal agreement among Biblical commentators that Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah is the turning point in the Gospel account. From that moment on, everything leads to Jerusalem, with its crucifixion and resurrection.
I think, however, the story of the blind man epitomizes the defining moment, for Jesus’ disciples, as he moves into a new stage of ministry. And it’s not the first time Biblical commentators have disagreed with me.
The healing of this blind man immediately follows a confrontation between Jesus and the twelve. He’s making a point about avoiding legalism; they think he’s complaining that they hadn’t brought along enough bread for the trip. Jesus is clearly irked: “Do you have eyes and fail to see. . . . Do you not yet understand?” (Mark 8:18a, 21). And right after this healing, is Peter’s confession, “You are the Messiah” (Mark 8:29b), with Jesus’ ultimate rebuke to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan” (Mark 8:33). Neither the disciples as a group nor Peter as their leader “see,” but they don’t know it.
This healing miracle, strangely, is the only one Jesus performs in scripture that doesn’t “take” at once, and Jesus knows it. After Jesus applies saliva to the guy’s eyes, he asks, “Can you see anything?” The guy says, in effect, “I see imperfectly.” Jesus then has to lay hands on him a second time for the man to be fully healed.
I think that confession, “I see imperfectly,” has greater significance than Peter’s confession, “You are the Messiah.” What is the sin of the legalists? of the disciples who think Jesus is complaining about the bread they brought? of Peter when he tells Jesus that he just can’t suffer and die, after all he’s the Messiah? It’s the sin of believing I’ve “got it” when I don’t; the sin of believing I’m right, that I have the truth; the sin of believing I see clearly, when it’s really only like shadows.
I’ll admit that after we’ve experienced blindness, even seeing imperfectly is an improvement. We might be content with that; and some of us even think that’s all there is, and we just don’t need to keep growing spiritually. But Jesus has so much more for us. I truly believe that he wants us to see clearly. And when we admit we don’t see clearly, Jesus will touch us again, and again, and again, until that day in glory when all is as clear as the Son.
Prayer for the day: Lord, I really do see in a glass darkly, so imperfectly. Touch me again, and again, and again. Most of all I want to see you, clearly. Amen.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.