WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.500 Well, there are two of Jesus's miracles that are only found in the gospel of Mark. 00:00:05.839 --> 00:00:09.179 The first one we've covered already, it was at the end of chapter 7, 00:00:09.359 --> 00:00:16.920 and it was when Jesus healed the deaf mute man somewhere in the area of Tyre and Sidon. 00:00:17.640 --> 00:00:24.600 The second one is this healing in chapter 8, when Jesus gives sight to the blind man. 00:00:25.740 --> 00:00:28.660 Now, it's only, both of these are only listed in Mark's gospel, 00:00:28.660 --> 00:00:37.899 and it's not that Mark was short on material and needed to find just a few of Jesus's mighty works 00:00:37.899 --> 00:00:40.840 to insert here and there as a type of filler text. 00:00:40.939 --> 00:00:42.500 That's not what's happening here. 00:00:42.600 --> 00:00:47.719 They are actually here for a very specific purpose, as all biblical texts are. 00:00:48.200 --> 00:00:54.240 They serve an important purpose in the overall purpose of the book, 00:00:54.240 --> 00:00:59.800 but then also in the immediate context in which Mark places them, 00:01:00.179 --> 00:01:04.200 these two stories are actually vitally important to Mark's purpose. 00:01:04.939 --> 00:01:08.020 And it would be easy for us maybe to read past them 00:01:08.020 --> 00:01:13.599 and not consider very much as to why God would put these here. 00:01:14.900 --> 00:01:16.680 The stories may be simple, 00:01:16.680 --> 00:01:20.640 but that doesn't mean that their points are insignificant. 00:01:21.420 --> 00:01:28.140 To start, both of these miracles point to Jesus as the fulfillment 00:01:28.140 --> 00:01:31.600 of the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah. 00:01:32.480 --> 00:01:38.140 And we quoted this in our study of when Jesus healed the deaf man in Isaiah 35. 00:01:38.640 --> 00:01:42.520 This is a prophecy about the coming kingdom of God. 00:01:42.519 --> 00:01:44.979 And what was the message that Jesus was preaching? 00:01:45.420 --> 00:01:49.640 Repent and believe the gospel that the kingdom is now near, right? 00:01:49.840 --> 00:01:51.019 The kingdom of God is near. 00:01:51.459 --> 00:01:52.459 Repent and believe the gospel. 00:01:52.719 --> 00:01:56.759 Well, this passage in Isaiah 35 that I'm about to read is about that kingdom. 00:01:57.000 --> 00:01:59.879 And here's what it said would be indicative of that kingdom. 00:02:00.359 --> 00:02:01.199 Isaiah writes, 00:02:01.459 --> 00:02:02.579 Strengthen the weak hands. 00:02:03.120 --> 00:02:04.699 Make firm the feeble knees. 00:02:05.459 --> 00:02:07.299 Say to those who have an anxious heart, 00:02:07.620 --> 00:02:08.280 Be strong. 00:02:08.719 --> 00:02:09.379 Fear not. 00:02:09.939 --> 00:02:11.680 Behold, your God will come with vengeance. 00:02:11.680 --> 00:02:13.599 With the recompense of God. 00:02:13.680 --> 00:02:15.180 He will come and save you. 00:02:15.540 --> 00:02:19.700 And then this is what will indicate that coming. 00:02:20.300 --> 00:02:22.379 The eyes of the blind shall be opened. 00:02:22.900 --> 00:02:25.740 The ears of the deaf unstopped. 00:02:26.280 --> 00:02:28.740 Then shall the lame leap like a deer. 00:02:29.240 --> 00:02:32.240 And the tongue of the mute sing for joy. 00:02:32.900 --> 00:02:35.520 So here in just a matter of a few verses, 00:02:36.200 --> 00:02:40.659 Mark has now presented Christ doing three of the four miracles 00:02:40.659 --> 00:02:45.419 that Isaiah said is indicative of the kingdom of God coming, 00:02:45.620 --> 00:02:48.579 of this messianic prophecy being fulfilled. 00:02:48.759 --> 00:02:50.599 So they serve an important purpose here. 00:02:51.000 --> 00:02:51.919 What's Mark doing? 00:02:52.359 --> 00:02:57.340 He's establishing the identity of Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God. 00:02:57.460 --> 00:03:00.620 And these two events support the case that he's building. 00:03:00.620 --> 00:03:07.340 He used them not only to show the supernatural power of the Lord, 00:03:07.340 --> 00:03:16.800 but to specifically highlight that Jesus did exactly what the prophet said the Messiah would do. 00:03:16.800 --> 00:03:17.759 That's important. 00:03:18.480 --> 00:03:20.680 It's not just that he had power. 00:03:20.759 --> 00:03:22.300 I mean, that's enough for us, right? 00:03:22.340 --> 00:03:24.580 We can look at the power of Jesus and say, 00:03:24.580 --> 00:03:26.380 who else could this be? 00:03:27.100 --> 00:03:30.080 But there were other people in the scripture that had that power. 00:03:30.340 --> 00:03:31.360 At least some of it. 00:03:32.180 --> 00:03:37.320 We see miracles performed by others that God had empowered throughout the Old Testament. 00:03:37.720 --> 00:03:41.040 Nowhere near the scale of what Jesus did, but we see it. 00:03:41.840 --> 00:03:47.720 Some of the apostles are going to be empowered to do miracles even beyond Christ's ascension. 00:03:47.719 --> 00:03:57.079 Satan certainly has had his counterfeits who seem to have been able to do the same things that some of these others have done. 00:03:57.280 --> 00:04:02.199 So we can't only look at Jesus's power and say he must be the one. 00:04:02.319 --> 00:04:04.860 But what does the scripture say specifically? 00:04:05.240 --> 00:04:07.219 The one who is to come will do. 00:04:07.860 --> 00:04:12.099 And Jesus fulfills all of those prophecies. 00:04:12.099 --> 00:04:20.439 Every one of them, from his birth, to his death, to his resurrection, to the miracles that he performed, to his demeanor. 00:04:20.839 --> 00:04:25.199 Every single one of them are fulfilled in Christ Jesus. 00:04:25.659 --> 00:04:28.199 And Mark is setting that record straight here. 00:04:28.279 --> 00:04:30.240 He's proving and building this case. 00:04:30.639 --> 00:04:33.600 But it's not just about this overall purpose. 00:04:34.319 --> 00:04:40.100 These stories also serve an essential purpose within the individual context that Mark puts them. 00:04:40.100 --> 00:04:45.640 So the inclusion of the deaf man, if you remember, was the healing of the deaf man, 00:04:46.200 --> 00:04:52.140 was in the midst of a series of passages that were focused on Jesus's work among Gentile people. 00:04:52.680 --> 00:04:57.379 And the purpose in that context was a continuation of this point. 00:04:58.140 --> 00:05:04.700 That salvation, this gospel, is not exclusive to a specific group or nation, 00:05:04.699 --> 00:05:11.560 but that it is a gospel that is for all people and all nations and all languages and all tongues. 00:05:11.920 --> 00:05:17.699 And so that healing of the deaf and mute man fits perfectly into what he was teaching his disciples. 00:05:17.860 --> 00:05:20.319 It's important to that context as well. 00:05:20.800 --> 00:05:25.060 And then we get to this particular miracle here in chapter 8. 00:05:25.060 --> 00:05:31.199 And we find that the healing of the blind man comes amid a section of text 00:05:31.199 --> 00:05:38.040 where Mark demonstrates the progressive nature of the disciples' understanding. 00:05:38.780 --> 00:05:40.399 And I mentioned this last week. 00:05:41.100 --> 00:05:46.439 Sometimes we get the idea that just because the disciples had begun to follow Jesus, 00:05:46.579 --> 00:05:50.639 that they just understood all the reasons why they were following Jesus. 00:05:50.639 --> 00:05:51.899 And they didn't. 00:05:52.680 --> 00:05:55.219 There were a lot of things that just weren't clicking for them. 00:05:56.339 --> 00:06:01.759 Indeed, much of it wouldn't click for them until after the resurrection. 00:06:01.759 --> 00:06:06.979 It was only going to be after the resurrection that it could really bring all of these things together. 00:06:07.399 --> 00:06:10.360 And Mark is kind of showing that in real time. 00:06:10.479 --> 00:06:12.599 This is what was going on with the disciples. 00:06:13.099 --> 00:06:16.079 This is how they were beginning to understand certain things, 00:06:16.079 --> 00:06:19.539 but how they were still blind to other things. 00:06:20.379 --> 00:06:22.199 And despite their proximity to Jesus, 00:06:23.099 --> 00:06:28.620 the disciples were actually blind to vital elements of his identity and purpose. 00:06:29.620 --> 00:06:32.579 And we get to this great confession of Peter in verse 29, 00:06:32.899 --> 00:06:35.599 which marks a turning point for these men. 00:06:35.740 --> 00:06:39.539 It also marks a turning point in Mark's book. 00:06:39.540 --> 00:06:48.680 But it's the healing of the blind man that illustrates and teaches us how we are to interpret Peter's confession. 00:06:49.240 --> 00:06:54.120 And then how we are to interpret Peter's rebuke in the passage just after. 00:06:54.360 --> 00:07:00.080 And then how we are to interpret Jesus' statement here at the end of the chapter where he says, 00:07:00.160 --> 00:07:01.420 listen, if you're going to follow me, 00:07:01.500 --> 00:07:05.000 you're going to have to set all of your own expectations to the side 00:07:05.000 --> 00:07:07.900 and you actually follow me and my purpose. 00:07:07.899 --> 00:07:11.079 And all of this is stringing along together. 00:07:11.199 --> 00:07:15.199 It's all connected together as Mark is laying out this case of who Jesus is. 00:07:15.239 --> 00:07:16.299 And it's an important passage. 00:07:16.500 --> 00:07:20.599 But it starts here with the blind man and what Jesus is doing. 00:07:21.039 --> 00:07:24.439 Everything in this passage is about sight. 00:07:25.060 --> 00:07:28.319 Whether it be physical or spiritual, it's about sight. 00:07:29.000 --> 00:07:33.979 And the physical healing of this man illustrates how Jesus would open the eyes, 00:07:34.679 --> 00:07:37.199 spiritual eyes, of his followers. 00:07:37.199 --> 00:07:39.800 Okay, so let's look at it maybe in two parts here. 00:07:39.899 --> 00:07:42.920 First, let's look at the opening of physical eyes. 00:07:43.240 --> 00:07:44.539 The opening of physical eyes. 00:07:44.659 --> 00:07:49.420 And let's look at this healing in particular in verses 22 to 26. 00:07:49.839 --> 00:07:51.259 Let's read verse 22 again. 00:07:52.259 --> 00:07:53.659 And they came to Bethsaida. 00:07:54.099 --> 00:07:59.120 And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. 00:07:59.120 --> 00:08:05.319 This was the hometown of a few of the disciples, including Peter and Andrew. 00:08:05.959 --> 00:08:11.759 And perhaps this is why they periodically circled back to the town. 00:08:12.259 --> 00:08:19.519 Jesus not only was around Capernaum very often, but we do see Bethsaida popping up time and again in the Gospels. 00:08:19.759 --> 00:08:23.500 Time and again, they're going back to their hometowns perhaps to visit family. 00:08:23.500 --> 00:08:28.959 But in the process of that, Jesus is teaching and he's performing many works. 00:08:29.139 --> 00:08:37.539 It was actually near Bethsaida where Jesus had fed the 5,000 men with bread and fish, just a few pieces of bread and fish. 00:08:37.539 --> 00:08:45.599 And he had done so many miracles in this place, actually, that later he would curse the town of Bethsaida. 00:08:46.240 --> 00:08:48.299 This is what Matthew 11 says. 00:08:48.419 --> 00:08:49.219 Jesus said this, 00:08:49.219 --> 00:08:50.699 Woe to you, Chorazin! 00:08:51.039 --> 00:08:53.120 Woe to you, Bethsaida! 00:08:54.000 --> 00:09:02.459 For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago and sat cloth and ashes. 00:09:02.460 --> 00:09:09.340 But I tell you, it will be more bearable in the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 00:09:10.440 --> 00:09:14.340 Now, why is it that Jesus is making that particular curse against Bethsaida? 00:09:14.820 --> 00:09:17.379 Because he had spent a lot of time in Bethsaida. 00:09:18.019 --> 00:09:26.460 And he's coming back to this place time and again, performing work after work after work, and they still ultimately rejected him. 00:09:26.460 --> 00:09:30.160 And Jesus says, Woe to you, Bethsaida! 00:09:30.400 --> 00:09:38.900 If I had done in your town, if I had done in Tyre and Sidon what I've done in your town, they would have repented just like Nineveh repented. 00:09:39.240 --> 00:09:43.960 But you are hard-hearted and stiff-necked people, Jesus says. 00:09:44.300 --> 00:09:52.400 So it's no surprise to us that this was a familiar place and that when they get to Bethsaida, there are people who immediately recognize the Lord. 00:09:52.639 --> 00:09:53.860 He's been there many times. 00:09:53.860 --> 00:09:58.300 They know the disciples because many of them had probably grown up there as well. 00:09:58.840 --> 00:10:06.539 What's more surprising is that there was still somebody left in Bethsaida that had not been healed by Jesus. 00:10:08.300 --> 00:10:17.519 With as many times as he had been through the area, everywhere Jesus went, we see just this amazing eradication of disease. 00:10:17.519 --> 00:10:24.500 I mean, he's walking through towns in Gennesaret, and people are just laying on the side of the road, 00:10:24.500 --> 00:10:29.840 and the shadows and the tassels of his garment are touching these people, and they're being healed. 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:34.500 I mean, we're talking massive eradication of disease everywhere that Jesus went. 00:10:34.639 --> 00:10:37.960 So it's not surprising that people recognize him when he gets there. 00:10:38.079 --> 00:10:40.500 What's surprising is that anybody was left to be healed. 00:10:40.500 --> 00:10:45.019 And here comes this blind man who is certainly in need. 00:10:46.279 --> 00:10:51.600 Well, similar to the deaf man in chapter 7, this man was brought by a few faithful friends, 00:10:51.779 --> 00:10:55.440 and they begged that Jesus would touch him. 00:10:55.440 --> 00:11:00.560 Have you noticed that this is becoming a more common request in Mark's gospel? 00:11:01.500 --> 00:11:06.800 As people are coming to Jesus in the beginning chapters, this wasn't a statement that they were making, 00:11:06.880 --> 00:11:14.180 but now more and more people are coming to Jesus, and this is the request that Jesus would touch them. 00:11:15.600 --> 00:11:23.000 He's starting to be identified for his healing touch, which I think is significant. 00:11:23.000 --> 00:11:30.000 We know that Jesus didn't need to touch people to heal them, but he touched them anyways. 00:11:31.399 --> 00:11:40.019 His love and compassion literally embraced people that society, and especially the Pharisees and the other religious leaders, 00:11:40.340 --> 00:11:42.279 considered to be untouchable. 00:11:42.559 --> 00:11:44.700 This is now how people are viewing Jesus. 00:11:44.879 --> 00:11:47.399 As he goes from village to village, they're coming to him, 00:11:47.399 --> 00:11:50.340 will you touch me, or will you touch my friend? 00:11:50.379 --> 00:11:52.940 Because they know he will touch them. 00:11:53.720 --> 00:12:00.620 And whatever mistaken notion they may have had about a particular power being in his touch, 00:12:00.899 --> 00:12:07.200 they were noticing that Jesus was at least willing to embrace those that no one else would embrace. 00:12:07.919 --> 00:12:09.860 You know what a wonderful Savior that is. 00:12:11.000 --> 00:12:13.740 He touched out of love, not out of necessity. 00:12:13.740 --> 00:12:19.680 And this personal action ended up becoming a mark of his ministry. 00:12:20.299 --> 00:12:24.180 And so the friends brought the man to Jesus, and that was their request. 00:12:24.700 --> 00:12:25.879 Will you touch our friend? 00:12:26.360 --> 00:12:27.019 Verse 23. 00:12:27.019 --> 00:12:31.319 And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. 00:12:31.919 --> 00:12:35.379 When he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, 00:12:35.860 --> 00:12:37.460 Do you see anything? 00:12:38.980 --> 00:12:40.500 He looked up and said, 00:12:40.740 --> 00:12:46.199 I see people, but they look like trees walking. 00:12:46.200 --> 00:12:49.259 I love this so much. 00:12:51.660 --> 00:13:00.120 Do you see the tender compassion and action on Jesus' part here with this man? 00:13:00.120 --> 00:13:04.899 It's not unlike what Jesus did with the deaf man. 00:13:06.320 --> 00:13:08.700 Remember when the friends brought the deaf man to Jesus, 00:13:08.700 --> 00:13:11.620 and he pulls the deaf man to the side, away from the crowd. 00:13:11.720 --> 00:13:13.060 This was a personal interaction. 00:13:13.059 --> 00:13:15.279 And what was it that he did? 00:13:16.059 --> 00:13:18.500 He didn't only touch him and heal him. 00:13:18.759 --> 00:13:20.479 He communicated with him. 00:13:20.959 --> 00:13:21.379 How? 00:13:21.979 --> 00:13:23.799 In the only way that the man could communicate. 00:13:24.819 --> 00:13:25.799 He used sign language. 00:13:26.500 --> 00:13:27.919 He gets down with the man. 00:13:28.419 --> 00:13:29.339 He gets his focus. 00:13:29.959 --> 00:13:32.519 He puts his fingers in his ears to indicate, 00:13:32.919 --> 00:13:37.000 I see that you can't hear me, and I'm going to take care of your ears. 00:13:37.179 --> 00:13:39.019 And then he spits and he touches his tongue. 00:13:39.539 --> 00:13:42.559 He says, I see that you can't speak, and I'm going to fix that. 00:13:42.559 --> 00:13:47.000 He tenderly, compassionately, lovingly takes this man 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:49.819 and communicates with him in the only way that the man could communicate. 00:13:50.179 --> 00:13:51.219 And here he does it again. 00:13:51.679 --> 00:13:54.699 He has this tender touch. 00:13:55.979 --> 00:13:57.859 And imagine being there in this moment. 00:13:58.500 --> 00:13:58.939 Come here, Harper. 00:13:59.419 --> 00:13:59.919 Can you help me? 00:14:00.759 --> 00:14:02.819 Harper and I did this at our house the other day 00:14:02.819 --> 00:14:05.199 because she didn't know what it meant to be blind, 00:14:05.479 --> 00:14:07.539 and I had to explain to her what it meant to be blind. 00:14:08.179 --> 00:14:09.619 What does it mean to be blind? 00:14:10.359 --> 00:14:11.399 It means you can't see, right? 00:14:11.399 --> 00:14:12.439 Can you close your eyes? 00:14:13.059 --> 00:14:14.259 Don't look at anybody, okay? 00:14:14.719 --> 00:14:16.439 Keep them really tight, all right? 00:14:17.659 --> 00:14:21.399 Now, I can tell Harper, don't open your eyes, 00:14:21.579 --> 00:14:25.079 and I want you to walk through every aisle of the room. 00:14:25.159 --> 00:14:26.519 You think you could do that with your eyes closed? 00:14:26.799 --> 00:14:27.719 All right, I want you to try it. 00:14:27.739 --> 00:14:28.779 Can you walk through all the aisles? 00:14:29.359 --> 00:14:31.379 Don't bump into nobody, okay? 00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:33.179 Don't hit anybody. 00:14:33.419 --> 00:14:34.679 Oh, you came close to a chair. 00:14:35.399 --> 00:14:36.739 You think you can go through all the aisles? 00:14:37.259 --> 00:14:38.440 No, you can't do that, can you? 00:14:38.519 --> 00:14:39.240 All right, well, come back. 00:14:39.399 --> 00:14:39.799 Come back. 00:14:40.220 --> 00:14:41.360 Keep your eyes closed, though, okay? 00:14:41.480 --> 00:14:42.779 Keep your eyes closed, all right? 00:14:43.159 --> 00:14:44.779 That's what it means to be blind, doesn't it? 00:14:45.480 --> 00:14:46.259 Can't see anything. 00:14:46.899 --> 00:14:47.879 Don't know where to go. 00:14:48.840 --> 00:14:52.580 This man couldn't go anywhere in the town unless somebody took him there. 00:14:53.299 --> 00:14:54.779 How is he supposed to get around? 00:14:55.620 --> 00:14:59.879 He can't get to Jesus unless somebody takes him to Jesus, right? 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:02.120 Same thing with the deaf man. 00:15:02.500 --> 00:15:04.600 So he has some friends bring him to Jesus. 00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:06.500 And what is it that Jesus does? 00:15:08.059 --> 00:15:09.379 He grabs him by the hand. 00:15:09.460 --> 00:15:10.720 Look at the text, verse 23. 00:15:10.899 --> 00:15:12.379 He took him by the hand. 00:15:13.080 --> 00:15:13.960 And what did he do? 00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:15.820 He walked him through the town. 00:15:16.580 --> 00:15:17.980 He wanted to get out of the village. 00:15:18.279 --> 00:15:19.799 So he walks through the village, 00:15:19.799 --> 00:15:22.799 and he goes around somewhere outside of the village. 00:15:23.379 --> 00:15:25.100 This man has no idea where he's going. 00:15:25.419 --> 00:15:27.179 He doesn't know who it is that has him. 00:15:27.719 --> 00:15:29.379 All he knows is he can't see anything, 00:15:29.500 --> 00:15:31.359 but this man has now grabbed my hand, 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:32.519 and he's being so tender. 00:15:32.799 --> 00:15:34.599 Can you imagine the conversation that they had? 00:15:34.620 --> 00:15:35.239 Are your eyes closed? 00:15:35.859 --> 00:15:36.679 You're not cheating, are you? 00:15:37.099 --> 00:15:37.719 All right, don't cheat. 00:15:39.799 --> 00:15:42.419 Can you imagine the conversation that they had as they were walking? 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:45.539 I'm sure Jesus learned his name. 00:15:46.219 --> 00:15:47.659 Of course, Jesus knew his name, 00:15:47.659 --> 00:15:49.939 but I'm sure he asked him, well, what's your name? 00:15:50.679 --> 00:15:52.059 How long have you been blind? 00:15:53.379 --> 00:15:54.439 I'm sure that's been tough. 00:15:54.440 --> 00:15:58.360 You ever been around somebody and been disarmed 00:15:58.360 --> 00:16:01.440 by their personal care and compassion? 00:16:01.540 --> 00:16:03.380 You could sense it, and it's disarming, 00:16:03.480 --> 00:16:05.020 and you find yourself telling them things 00:16:05.020 --> 00:16:06.520 that you don't usually tell people. 00:16:08.020 --> 00:16:10.040 My mother-in-law has one of those faces 00:16:10.040 --> 00:16:12.360 that people just like to tell things to. 00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:15.580 We can be standing in a line at a grocery store, 00:16:15.980 --> 00:16:17.560 and someone will just out of nowhere 00:16:17.560 --> 00:16:20.120 just start telling them how terrible their day is 00:16:20.120 --> 00:16:21.000 or something like that. 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:23.019 Like she just has compassionate eyes. 00:16:23.179 --> 00:16:23.960 This is Jesus. 00:16:24.139 --> 00:16:25.360 He's got the man's hand. 00:16:25.720 --> 00:16:29.159 He's disarmed by the compassion and the love of the Lord, 00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:31.019 and perhaps he's just opening up. 00:16:31.259 --> 00:16:33.039 This is what it's been like for me. 00:16:33.360 --> 00:16:34.320 And what is Jesus doing? 00:16:34.639 --> 00:16:35.480 He's taking him. 00:16:35.940 --> 00:16:36.840 He's leading him. 00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:38.379 Where is he leading him to? 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:40.139 He's leading him to the place 00:16:40.139 --> 00:16:41.500 where he's gonna open his eyes. 00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:42.519 You can sit down, baby. 00:16:42.580 --> 00:16:42.899 Thank you. 00:16:42.899 --> 00:16:50.759 What a wonderful picture of how Jesus leads us. 00:16:52.459 --> 00:16:54.559 We just read in Romans 3, 00:16:55.559 --> 00:16:56.879 no one does good. 00:16:58.100 --> 00:17:00.019 No one understands. 00:17:01.360 --> 00:17:03.459 No one seeks God. 00:17:04.859 --> 00:17:07.039 If you know Christ today, 00:17:07.299 --> 00:17:09.839 it's not because you found him. 00:17:09.839 --> 00:17:13.339 It's because he came to you, 00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:15.759 and he took your hand, 00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:18.879 and he guided you to the place 00:17:18.879 --> 00:17:20.159 where he opened your eyes. 00:17:22.339 --> 00:17:24.459 It underscores the fact 00:17:24.459 --> 00:17:28.019 that Jesus is a personal savior. 00:17:29.379 --> 00:17:31.339 He's not just a healer. 00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:33.740 He's not a distant deity. 00:17:33.740 --> 00:17:38.000 He is a personal, compassionate friend, 00:17:38.440 --> 00:17:40.420 and savior, and Lord. 00:17:40.620 --> 00:17:42.799 And it is he who leads us 00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:44.920 to acknowledge that truth. 00:17:46.279 --> 00:17:48.440 And then Jesus performs this miracle, 00:17:48.620 --> 00:17:50.160 but he does it in a strange way. 00:17:50.240 --> 00:17:51.420 It's atypical of Jesus. 00:17:51.640 --> 00:17:53.000 He does it in two stages. 00:17:54.620 --> 00:17:56.000 He spits on his eyes, 00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:56.799 and he touches them. 00:17:57.700 --> 00:18:00.519 But the significance is not on the action. 00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:02.480 It's not on the spit and the touch. 00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:04.559 The emphasis here is on his question. 00:18:05.720 --> 00:18:07.360 What is it that Jesus has? 00:18:08.940 --> 00:18:10.420 Do you see anything? 00:18:11.019 --> 00:18:12.339 Do you see anything? 00:18:13.500 --> 00:18:14.960 And what does the man say? 00:18:16.059 --> 00:18:16.660 Yes. 00:18:18.099 --> 00:18:21.160 I can tell that there are people in front of me, 00:18:21.539 --> 00:18:25.099 but they look like trees, walking trees. 00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:28.380 His eyes are no longer in complete darkness, 00:18:28.380 --> 00:18:29.900 but he can't see clearly. 00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:31.279 Can't see clearly. 00:18:31.279 --> 00:18:33.319 It's blurred vision. 00:18:34.139 --> 00:18:36.079 He can see something, 00:18:36.279 --> 00:18:40.879 but he's not exactly sure what it is. 00:18:41.460 --> 00:18:43.279 And as we'll see in a moment, 00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:46.859 I think this was a part of illustrating 00:18:46.859 --> 00:18:49.839 the disciples' spiritual sight. 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:53.059 They could see, 00:18:53.799 --> 00:18:55.839 but not very clearly. 00:18:55.839 --> 00:18:58.539 It was blurred vision. 00:18:59.740 --> 00:19:01.500 They weren't quite getting it all yet. 00:19:02.199 --> 00:19:03.419 And then look at verse 25. 00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:07.879 Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again, 00:19:07.879 --> 00:19:10.699 and he opened his eyes. 00:19:11.699 --> 00:19:12.939 His sight was restored. 00:19:13.099 --> 00:19:14.259 He saw everything clearly, 00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:15.959 and he sent him to his home saying, 00:19:16.679 --> 00:19:18.139 do not even enter the village. 00:19:19.099 --> 00:19:20.679 So Jesus completed the miracle. 00:19:20.879 --> 00:19:21.899 He touched the man again, 00:19:21.900 --> 00:19:24.180 and then his sight was completely restored. 00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:25.420 It was made perfect. 00:19:25.620 --> 00:19:26.100 2020. 00:19:27.600 --> 00:19:29.420 Just as all Jesus's miracles, 00:19:29.620 --> 00:19:31.080 it was complete. 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:32.220 Nothing was lacking. 00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:34.700 The results were immediate. 00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:38.400 And I don't mean to read too much into this text. 00:19:38.500 --> 00:19:39.780 Maybe I've done that too much already. 00:19:39.779 --> 00:19:43.440 But maybe you think, 00:19:44.279 --> 00:19:46.379 if you're in the position of this man, 00:19:47.240 --> 00:19:49.859 what was it that he saw 00:19:49.859 --> 00:19:54.139 when his eyes finally received that clarity? 00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:58.519 Would it not be the face of the one 00:19:58.519 --> 00:19:59.619 who had just healed him? 00:20:03.019 --> 00:20:05.200 When he finally gets that clarity, 00:20:05.379 --> 00:20:06.639 what is it that he sees? 00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:07.940 Jesus. 00:20:08.660 --> 00:20:09.019 Jesus. 00:20:10.779 --> 00:20:12.460 In our spiritual blindness, 00:20:13.119 --> 00:20:15.599 we go through moments 00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:18.039 where the Lord begins to open our eyes, 00:20:18.099 --> 00:20:19.960 and we have a hard time seeing all of those things. 00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:21.680 Perhaps we come to Christ 00:20:21.680 --> 00:20:23.940 seeing a million different blessings 00:20:23.940 --> 00:20:25.539 that we hope to receive from him. 00:20:25.559 --> 00:20:26.799 But when we finally get it, 00:20:26.940 --> 00:20:28.660 when the clarity is finally there, 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:30.579 when the blurriness is finally gone, 00:20:30.680 --> 00:20:32.200 what is it that we actually see? 00:20:32.339 --> 00:20:33.960 Our eyes are then fixed on Jesus, 00:20:34.139 --> 00:20:34.680 are they not? 00:20:36.099 --> 00:20:38.240 Isn't this what Jesus is doing with his disciples? 00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:40.359 By the time he gets to the end of all this, 00:20:40.359 --> 00:20:41.240 and they can see clearly, 00:20:41.519 --> 00:20:43.539 isn't it just Jesus that they will see? 00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:45.960 Isn't it all about him at that point? 00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:51.980 The miracle concluded with Jesus sending this man home 00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:53.480 with some instructions. 00:20:53.480 --> 00:20:55.980 He told him not to go in the village, 00:20:55.980 --> 00:21:01.059 and I really think this is just another way of Jesus preventing the spread of the news. 00:21:01.180 --> 00:21:02.980 We see he's doing this often now. 00:21:03.059 --> 00:21:04.620 He's telling people that he heals, 00:21:04.700 --> 00:21:05.519 don't tell anyone, 00:21:05.660 --> 00:21:07.500 and I think that's really what's happening here. 00:21:07.500 --> 00:21:14.640 And I think the reason for that is not only that he didn't want the crowds to build at this particular time, 00:21:14.640 --> 00:21:18.759 but he was concerned that people did not see him as merely a healer. 00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:23.839 There were these constant messianic misunderstandings about who Jesus was 00:21:23.839 --> 00:21:25.700 and what his purpose was, 00:21:25.700 --> 00:21:29.579 and he didn't want the man's testimony to contribute to those errant beliefs, 00:21:29.619 --> 00:21:31.039 and I think that's why he's doing that. 00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:31.519 And he tells them, 00:21:31.619 --> 00:21:32.519 don't even go into the village, 00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:35.059 just go home from there. 00:21:35.059 --> 00:21:35.500 And of course, 00:21:35.579 --> 00:21:37.379 eventually the news would spread. 00:21:37.940 --> 00:21:38.119 Now, 00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:41.059 only Jesus could open this man's eyes. 00:21:42.339 --> 00:21:43.619 Only Jesus could do that. 00:21:46.700 --> 00:21:48.599 Only Jesus can open our eyes. 00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:52.319 Only he can do it. 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:53.779 You say, 00:21:53.839 --> 00:21:53.879 well, 00:21:53.879 --> 00:21:54.700 I see just fine. 00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:57.200 I'm not talking about your eyeballs. 00:21:59.000 --> 00:22:00.279 I'm talking about your heart. 00:22:02.839 --> 00:22:04.899 Paul wrote to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians, 00:22:05.059 --> 00:22:06.679 chapter 4 and verse 4. 00:22:07.399 --> 00:22:09.159 He said that the God of this world, 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:10.179 a reference to Satan, 00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:13.639 has blinded the eyes of those who do not believe. 00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:17.279 And he has blinded the eyes of those who do not believe 00:22:17.279 --> 00:22:20.159 so that they will not see the light of the gospel of Christ. 00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:24.639 Every one of us are born into spiritual darkness. 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:26.099 We're blind. 00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:29.879 But two verses later in verse 6, 00:22:29.880 --> 00:22:31.320 Paul goes on to say, 00:22:31.320 --> 00:22:35.180 that God has shown his light in our hearts 00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:39.060 to give light of the knowledge of Christ. 00:22:41.840 --> 00:22:46.080 Only Jesus can open the eyes of the blind, 00:22:46.080 --> 00:22:49.480 whether it be the physically blind 00:22:49.480 --> 00:22:51.780 or the spiritually blind. 00:22:51.779 --> 00:22:55.720 Our best apologetic arguments 00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:58.980 will not be sufficient enough 00:22:58.980 --> 00:23:02.619 to open the darkened hearts of sinners. 00:23:03.299 --> 00:23:05.819 Only Jesus can do that. 00:23:05.819 --> 00:23:08.539 So what do we do? 00:23:09.639 --> 00:23:11.339 We take his gospel 00:23:11.339 --> 00:23:13.539 and we pray. 00:23:14.480 --> 00:23:15.579 We pray. 00:23:16.439 --> 00:23:17.980 Open my eyes, Lord. 00:23:18.980 --> 00:23:20.579 Open the eyes of those 00:23:20.579 --> 00:23:22.460 who you bring along my path. 00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:24.519 It's just a wonderful miracle, 00:23:24.519 --> 00:23:27.319 but it serves as an important illustration. 00:23:27.639 --> 00:23:29.960 Let's just finish with verses 27 to 30 00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:31.019 and we'll do it quickly, okay? 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:33.920 We see opening physical eyes in this first section. 00:23:34.119 --> 00:23:36.240 Now we're gonna see opening spiritual eyes. 00:23:36.460 --> 00:23:37.879 At least partially, 00:23:38.359 --> 00:23:40.400 we're gonna get this partial opening 00:23:40.400 --> 00:23:41.980 in verses 27 to 30. 00:23:42.819 --> 00:23:43.779 Now again, I've said this. 00:23:43.920 --> 00:23:45.139 I wanna keep reiterating it. 00:23:45.400 --> 00:23:46.700 I think that Mark intended 00:23:46.700 --> 00:23:48.240 the healing of this blind man 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:49.960 to serve as an illustration, 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:53.220 an illustration of spiritual blindness 00:23:53.220 --> 00:23:56.380 being overcome by the gospel of Christ, okay? 00:23:57.000 --> 00:24:00.000 The two-stage structure of this miracle, 00:24:00.140 --> 00:24:02.559 I think, represents the two purposes 00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:04.380 of Mark's book. 00:24:05.140 --> 00:24:06.440 Remember the first half? 00:24:06.920 --> 00:24:08.019 Jesus' identity. 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:11.059 The second half, Jesus' purpose, 00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:12.600 specifically the crucifixion 00:24:12.600 --> 00:24:14.799 and the resurrection, the gospel, okay? 00:24:15.240 --> 00:24:16.799 Those are the two themes 00:24:16.799 --> 00:24:17.600 that are happening here. 00:24:17.960 --> 00:24:20.019 Chapter eight, specifically verse 29, 00:24:20.200 --> 00:24:21.259 is the turning point. 00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:24.079 He's gonna shift from identity here in this text 00:24:24.079 --> 00:24:26.500 to purpose in this text 00:24:26.500 --> 00:24:28.220 and I think that's what the two stages 00:24:28.220 --> 00:24:29.980 of the blind man's healing is all about. 00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:33.200 The first stage in a spiritual sense 00:24:33.200 --> 00:24:34.579 is identity. 00:24:35.059 --> 00:24:36.480 This is who Jesus is. 00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:37.680 We begin to see. 00:24:38.099 --> 00:24:39.019 We don't see it all, 00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:40.420 but we begin to see 00:24:40.420 --> 00:24:41.960 and then we get to purpose 00:24:41.960 --> 00:24:43.519 and once we get to purpose, 00:24:43.980 --> 00:24:45.519 the sight becomes clear, okay? 00:24:45.539 --> 00:24:47.099 That's the progression that's happening. 00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:48.579 That's the progression that's beginning 00:24:48.579 --> 00:24:50.399 to happen with the disciples 00:24:50.399 --> 00:24:53.480 and the first touch for the disciples 00:24:53.480 --> 00:24:54.299 I think is happening 00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:55.899 on the road to Caesarea Philippi. 00:24:56.059 --> 00:24:57.379 Let's look at it in verse 27. 00:24:57.879 --> 00:24:59.240 Jesus went on with his disciples 00:24:59.240 --> 00:25:01.259 to the villages of Caesarea Philippi 00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:03.439 and on the way he asked his disciples, 00:25:03.720 --> 00:25:05.659 who do people say that I am? 00:25:06.819 --> 00:25:08.319 And they told him John the Baptist, 00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:10.119 others say Elijah, 00:25:10.779 --> 00:25:12.259 others one of the prophets. 00:25:12.259 --> 00:25:16.960 Caesarea Philippi is about a 30-mile walk 00:25:16.960 --> 00:25:21.180 northeast of Galilee. 00:25:21.799 --> 00:25:23.960 It's at the foot of Mount Hermon 00:25:23.960 --> 00:25:26.619 or at least 30 miles or so 00:25:26.619 --> 00:25:27.960 from Bethsaida at least. 00:25:28.720 --> 00:25:30.460 And this would have provided a lot of time 00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:33.099 for Jesus and the disciples to talk. 00:25:33.180 --> 00:25:34.160 They wouldn't have had a boombox 00:25:34.160 --> 00:25:34.960 to carry with them 00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:36.519 so that they could drown themselves 00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:38.000 in music or something like that. 00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:40.440 What do they do while they walk? 00:25:40.440 --> 00:25:41.320 They talk. 00:25:41.620 --> 00:25:42.660 They have these discussions. 00:25:42.840 --> 00:25:45.660 Jesus teaches and disciples them as they go. 00:25:46.580 --> 00:25:49.000 And Jesus asked them a question in verse 27. 00:25:49.640 --> 00:25:51.120 And the question had to do with 00:25:51.120 --> 00:25:54.220 what are people's general thoughts about me? 00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:55.880 And it's a unique question 00:25:55.880 --> 00:25:57.740 because he's not asking them 00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:59.420 what do people say about me 00:25:59.420 --> 00:26:01.380 as far as what I do? 00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:02.840 What do they think of me? 00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:04.480 It's an interesting question 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:06.340 because he says, who do they say I am? 00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:08.340 That's a weird question, right? 00:26:08.339 --> 00:26:11.019 Like, would you ever go to somebody and say, 00:26:11.139 --> 00:26:13.539 who do you say Jack is? 00:26:14.359 --> 00:26:16.019 Well, he's Jack, right? 00:26:16.539 --> 00:26:17.459 There couldn't be more than that. 00:26:17.599 --> 00:26:18.659 So it's a unique question. 00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:20.099 He's getting at something here. 00:26:20.119 --> 00:26:21.740 And of course, the disciples understood 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:23.139 what he was asking. 00:26:24.139 --> 00:26:25.639 Jesus wasn't the kind of person 00:26:25.639 --> 00:26:26.480 that could be ignored. 00:26:27.079 --> 00:26:29.159 His name was a household name now 00:26:29.159 --> 00:26:31.000 in the Galilee region at least. 00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:32.980 And there were all kinds of opinions 00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:34.679 about who he was 00:26:34.679 --> 00:26:36.099 and what God was doing through him. 00:26:36.099 --> 00:26:38.359 And so these first eight chapters 00:26:38.359 --> 00:26:40.159 have really been building up to this point. 00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:42.399 And the disciples answers here 00:26:42.399 --> 00:26:45.019 really summarize the common beliefs. 00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:47.919 And this was probably an ongoing discussion 00:26:47.919 --> 00:26:48.819 as they walked. 00:26:49.619 --> 00:26:52.000 They offered several answers 00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:53.659 based on what they had heard from the crowds, 00:26:53.740 --> 00:26:55.799 maybe even based on what some of their personal thoughts 00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:56.879 had been up to this point. 00:26:57.379 --> 00:26:59.480 And as one response was given, 00:26:59.480 --> 00:27:03.700 it's likely that they would enter 00:27:03.700 --> 00:27:05.339 into an entire discussion 00:27:05.339 --> 00:27:07.940 as to why people would think that, right? 00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:09.440 That's how conversation goes. 00:27:09.660 --> 00:27:11.839 Sometimes we think that what the gospel writers 00:27:11.839 --> 00:27:14.120 have given us is the entirety 00:27:14.120 --> 00:27:15.400 of these conversations. 00:27:15.660 --> 00:27:17.960 This is a summary of their conversation. 00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:20.519 Jesus says, who do people say that I am? 00:27:20.620 --> 00:27:22.279 And perhaps somebody pipes up 00:27:22.279 --> 00:27:23.180 and gives their answer. 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:23.920 And then they say, well, 00:27:24.079 --> 00:27:25.900 why do you think they think that? 00:27:25.920 --> 00:27:27.140 And maybe they go through the thing 00:27:27.140 --> 00:27:28.140 and they talk it out 00:27:28.140 --> 00:27:29.259 and maybe half an hour later, 00:27:29.660 --> 00:27:30.960 they've exhausted that. 00:27:31.180 --> 00:27:33.640 And so they move on to the next opinion. 00:27:33.780 --> 00:27:35.680 Okay, you understand how this would go, right? 00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:37.100 They're talking it through. 00:27:38.020 --> 00:27:41.400 And this is a masterful moment of teaching 00:27:41.400 --> 00:27:42.780 on Jesus's part, isn't it? 00:27:43.460 --> 00:27:44.460 Because he's gonna ask them 00:27:44.460 --> 00:27:46.040 a straightforward question in a minute. 00:27:46.220 --> 00:27:48.840 He's gonna ask them who they think he is. 00:27:49.340 --> 00:27:51.440 But before he ever gets there, what does he do? 00:27:52.120 --> 00:27:53.380 Is he not leading them? 00:27:54.980 --> 00:27:56.640 Does he not have them by the hand 00:27:56.640 --> 00:27:57.700 as they're walking? 00:27:58.300 --> 00:28:00.060 And he's saying, who do people say that I am? 00:28:01.280 --> 00:28:02.060 Well, John the Baptist. 00:28:02.160 --> 00:28:03.060 Well, why do they say that? 00:28:03.060 --> 00:28:05.440 And so before the end of this conversation, 00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:08.300 these men have laid out all the possible options. 00:28:08.920 --> 00:28:12.780 They have had to evaluate who Jesus is 00:28:12.780 --> 00:28:15.380 before he ever says, who am I? 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:16.680 Who do you say that I am? 00:28:16.800 --> 00:28:18.040 This is a masterful moment. 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:19.300 He's leading them. 00:28:19.540 --> 00:28:22.860 He's leading them just as he leads us. 00:28:22.859 --> 00:28:26.240 The list given in verse 28 is the same 00:28:26.240 --> 00:28:28.719 that is given in chapter six, 00:28:28.719 --> 00:28:33.019 when we got into the discussion about Herod 00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:34.919 and the murder of John the Baptist. 00:28:35.079 --> 00:28:36.359 And John the Baptist was actually, 00:28:36.719 --> 00:28:38.240 seems to be the common belief. 00:28:38.359 --> 00:28:40.279 That's the first one that the disciples throw out there. 00:28:40.500 --> 00:28:42.659 Well, people think that you're John the Baptist, 00:28:42.819 --> 00:28:43.679 reincarnated. 00:28:44.279 --> 00:28:45.919 And so then they get into a discussion 00:28:45.919 --> 00:28:49.519 about John and how that could work. 00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:53.359 It's probably the fact that Jesus's public ministry 00:28:53.359 --> 00:28:55.460 began just as John was arrested, 00:28:55.460 --> 00:28:56.680 that contributed to this. 00:28:56.779 --> 00:28:58.339 But as they get into it, 00:28:58.359 --> 00:29:04.700 it becomes less and less of an appealing opinion. 00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:08.180 John himself had said, I'm not the Christ. 00:29:09.059 --> 00:29:11.680 John himself had said, he is the Christ. 00:29:12.420 --> 00:29:14.579 John himself had witnessed the miracle 00:29:14.579 --> 00:29:16.299 of God speaking from heaven saying, 00:29:16.379 --> 00:29:18.879 this is my beloved son and whom I am well pleased 00:29:18.880 --> 00:29:19.980 at Jesus's baptism. 00:29:20.080 --> 00:29:20.760 It just didn't make sense. 00:29:20.820 --> 00:29:22.500 So maybe they move on to the next one. 00:29:23.020 --> 00:29:24.460 Well, other people say you're Elijah. 00:29:25.880 --> 00:29:28.400 Malachi chapter four had prophesied 00:29:28.400 --> 00:29:31.940 that one like Elijah would come ahead of the Messiah 00:29:31.940 --> 00:29:33.580 and would prepare the way for the kingdom. 00:29:34.640 --> 00:29:36.600 Well, Jesus didn't really match that either. 00:29:36.600 --> 00:29:40.680 That was more of a match to John's personality 00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:42.860 and John's ministry and what John was doing. 00:29:43.120 --> 00:29:45.120 And so they exhaust that and then they go on. 00:29:45.180 --> 00:29:47.980 They say, well, some say there's other prophets 00:29:47.980 --> 00:29:49.120 that you might be. 00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:51.960 Matthew mentions Jeremiah in particular 00:29:51.960 --> 00:29:54.360 because of some strange prophecies 00:29:54.360 --> 00:29:56.980 that had been given in some apocryphal books. 00:29:57.599 --> 00:29:59.360 No matter what, they get to the end of it 00:29:59.360 --> 00:30:02.140 and none of the options that the people had given 00:30:02.140 --> 00:30:04.259 could possibly be accurate. 00:30:05.120 --> 00:30:07.380 But it is interesting to see that all the things 00:30:07.380 --> 00:30:08.880 that the people thought of Jesus, 00:30:09.380 --> 00:30:14.019 they were at least very highly esteeming him, right? 00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:18.420 The Pharisees were calling him Satan. 00:30:19.119 --> 00:30:20.779 They said, you're Beelzebub. 00:30:21.680 --> 00:30:23.099 The people weren't saying that. 00:30:24.019 --> 00:30:25.839 They were holding him in high regard. 00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:30.019 John the Baptist, Elijah, these were monumental men 00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:31.660 in the history of Judaism. 00:30:32.680 --> 00:30:34.240 They respected Jesus. 00:30:34.660 --> 00:30:35.960 They admired Jesus. 00:30:36.180 --> 00:30:38.279 They perhaps even loved Jesus to an extent 00:30:38.279 --> 00:30:40.240 based on what they understood of him. 00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:43.880 And it just goes to show us that the people's judgments 00:30:43.880 --> 00:30:47.079 prove that a high view of Jesus 00:30:47.079 --> 00:30:50.240 does not equate to a right view of Jesus. 00:30:51.900 --> 00:30:54.180 Just because you think much of Jesus 00:30:54.180 --> 00:30:56.759 doesn't mean you think accurately of Jesus. 00:30:57.640 --> 00:30:59.180 And except for the religious leaders, 00:30:59.339 --> 00:31:02.319 all the people held him in high esteem. 00:31:02.880 --> 00:31:04.420 He fit among the greatest prophets. 00:31:04.900 --> 00:31:06.160 James Edwards said it this way, 00:31:06.160 --> 00:31:09.840 to say that Jesus is like Elijah, John the Baptist, 00:31:09.960 --> 00:31:10.960 or a great prophet, 00:31:10.960 --> 00:31:13.000 or as we often hear today, 00:31:13.120 --> 00:31:15.980 that he's a great teacher or a moral example, 00:31:16.700 --> 00:31:19.279 may seem like an honor and a compliment, 00:31:19.900 --> 00:31:22.480 but it is ultimately to deny him. 00:31:24.200 --> 00:31:26.779 The authority that Jesus has demonstrated 00:31:26.779 --> 00:31:27.880 throughout Mark's narrative 00:31:27.880 --> 00:31:30.220 does not allow him to be defined 00:31:30.220 --> 00:31:32.220 by something other than himself 00:31:32.220 --> 00:31:34.340 and his relationship with the Father. 00:31:34.339 --> 00:31:37.480 You cannot say Jesus is a great teacher. 00:31:37.720 --> 00:31:41.179 You cannot say that he's among the great prophets. 00:31:41.459 --> 00:31:44.099 You cannot estimate him in any other way 00:31:44.099 --> 00:31:47.039 than to acknowledge who he actually is. 00:31:47.319 --> 00:31:49.699 And anything short of that is not a compliment. 00:31:50.419 --> 00:31:51.839 It's a rejection. 00:31:52.539 --> 00:31:54.339 It's a rejection of him 00:31:54.339 --> 00:31:57.299 and thereby a rejection of his gospel. 00:31:57.959 --> 00:31:59.159 In verse 29, 00:32:00.019 --> 00:32:00.799 and he asked them, 00:32:01.339 --> 00:32:03.119 but who do you say that I am? 00:32:03.119 --> 00:32:06.199 And Peter has this great confession. 00:32:06.699 --> 00:32:07.759 You're the Christ. 00:32:08.239 --> 00:32:09.000 You're the Christ. 00:32:09.500 --> 00:32:13.679 Matthew gives more to this detailed conversation. 00:32:13.959 --> 00:32:14.959 We won't go there. 00:32:15.039 --> 00:32:16.079 Maybe you'll study it on your own. 00:32:16.159 --> 00:32:18.119 Matthew 16 is where you'll find it. 00:32:19.479 --> 00:32:20.819 But after leading the disciples 00:32:20.819 --> 00:32:22.299 and weighing all the opinions, 00:32:23.339 --> 00:32:24.759 Jesus addressed them directly. 00:32:24.759 --> 00:32:28.640 Who do you think I am? 00:32:32.079 --> 00:32:34.220 He's not content to know what others think 00:32:34.220 --> 00:32:34.940 and say of him. 00:32:36.019 --> 00:32:37.720 The question of his identity 00:32:37.720 --> 00:32:40.460 ultimately comes to each one of us personally. 00:32:42.339 --> 00:32:46.539 Who do you say that Jesus is? 00:32:46.539 --> 00:32:51.740 It's the most important question you'll ever answer. 00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:56.079 Even the disciples had to look at Jesus 00:32:56.079 --> 00:32:58.259 and make a decision 00:32:58.259 --> 00:33:01.500 that would either propel them forward into discipleship 00:33:01.500 --> 00:33:04.680 or it would eventually sever their ties with his mission 00:33:04.680 --> 00:33:06.879 and with his identity and with his purpose. 00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:10.059 All of us come to that point. 00:33:10.059 --> 00:33:13.799 Who do you say he is? 00:33:17.119 --> 00:33:19.480 Will your answer lead you to follow him? 00:33:21.399 --> 00:33:24.500 Will it lead you to admire him? 00:33:24.500 --> 00:33:29.319 To get this answer right 00:33:29.319 --> 00:33:32.039 will set you on the path toward the gospel. 00:33:32.640 --> 00:33:34.180 But to get it wrong 00:33:34.180 --> 00:33:36.859 is to deny him 00:33:36.859 --> 00:33:41.559 and to actually make eternal life 00:33:41.559 --> 00:33:43.500 and forgiveness of sin an impossibility. 00:33:44.480 --> 00:33:46.140 Now Peter's the one who speaks up. 00:33:46.299 --> 00:33:48.319 Presumably he speaks up on behalf of 00:33:48.319 --> 00:33:50.619 the entire group of men 00:33:50.619 --> 00:33:53.299 and he makes this great confession. 00:33:53.299 --> 00:33:54.180 You are the Messiah. 00:33:54.319 --> 00:33:55.059 You're the Christ. 00:33:56.659 --> 00:33:58.299 Up to this point in Mark's gospel 00:33:58.299 --> 00:34:00.039 only God the Father and demons 00:34:00.039 --> 00:34:01.220 have made this confession. 00:34:02.440 --> 00:34:04.039 Peter's the first human to do it. 00:34:05.599 --> 00:34:06.480 Plainly says 00:34:06.480 --> 00:34:07.879 you're the Christ. 00:34:09.460 --> 00:34:11.559 And it's an expression of his faith. 00:34:12.340 --> 00:34:13.340 He believed Christ 00:34:13.340 --> 00:34:15.300 as much as he misunderstood Christ 00:34:15.300 --> 00:34:16.480 he believed him 00:34:16.480 --> 00:34:18.259 and he was following him. 00:34:19.159 --> 00:34:21.960 He doesn't confess that Jesus is one of the prophets 00:34:21.960 --> 00:34:25.420 but that he is the final prophet 00:34:25.420 --> 00:34:27.880 that he will bring salvation. 00:34:28.960 --> 00:34:30.539 And again James Edwards is helpful here. 00:34:30.960 --> 00:34:33.659 Faith is a judgment about Jesus 00:34:33.659 --> 00:34:36.679 and a willingness to act on the judgment 00:34:36.679 --> 00:34:39.039 in the face of other possible judgments. 00:34:40.039 --> 00:34:41.980 Faith is a judgment about Jesus 00:34:41.980 --> 00:34:45.260 and a willingness to act on that judgment 00:34:45.260 --> 00:34:48.720 in the face of many possible judgments. 00:34:50.720 --> 00:34:52.440 And indeed for the disciples 00:34:52.440 --> 00:34:53.880 at this point in the gospel 00:34:53.880 --> 00:34:56.860 faith will necessitate a choice 00:34:56.860 --> 00:35:00.000 contrary to the prevailing consensus 00:35:00.000 --> 00:35:01.640 of the crowds or religious leaders. 00:35:02.400 --> 00:35:05.960 Which introduces a unique question 00:35:05.960 --> 00:35:07.140 of application to us. 00:35:07.139 --> 00:35:09.719 It's not very hard 00:35:09.719 --> 00:35:11.739 to come to our church services 00:35:11.739 --> 00:35:12.599 on a Sunday 00:35:12.599 --> 00:35:14.420 and to be asked the question 00:35:14.420 --> 00:35:16.139 who do you say Jesus is 00:35:16.139 --> 00:35:17.079 and to say 00:35:17.079 --> 00:35:18.199 he's the Christ 00:35:18.199 --> 00:35:19.460 the Son of God. 00:35:20.599 --> 00:35:21.900 It's not quite as easy 00:35:21.900 --> 00:35:24.019 to sit among a group of coworkers 00:35:24.019 --> 00:35:25.000 or a group of friends 00:35:25.000 --> 00:35:26.940 who are antagonistic against that idea 00:35:26.940 --> 00:35:28.440 and to make the same confession. 00:35:28.440 --> 00:35:33.320 So who do you really say he is? 00:35:34.280 --> 00:35:35.400 Is he the Christ? 00:35:36.340 --> 00:35:37.380 Is he the one? 00:35:38.980 --> 00:35:40.539 Is he the one we must follow? 00:35:41.420 --> 00:35:43.400 Is he the only way to salvation? 00:35:44.059 --> 00:35:46.400 It's a judgment that must be made 00:35:46.400 --> 00:35:47.340 but it's a judgment 00:35:47.340 --> 00:35:50.019 that must produce activity, right? 00:35:51.420 --> 00:35:54.360 The estimation of the crowds was high 00:35:54.360 --> 00:35:56.940 but it didn't equate to a correct view 00:35:56.940 --> 00:35:58.440 but a right view of Jesus 00:35:58.440 --> 00:36:00.460 doesn't always equate to a saving faith. 00:36:02.119 --> 00:36:04.780 Remember, even the demons believe 00:36:04.780 --> 00:36:08.000 and they shudder, James says. 00:36:08.860 --> 00:36:10.400 They've made this confession 00:36:10.400 --> 00:36:12.860 but they weren't followers of Christ. 00:36:14.139 --> 00:36:15.679 True saving faith 00:36:15.679 --> 00:36:16.760 does not only produce 00:36:16.760 --> 00:36:18.820 a confession of truth about Jesus 00:36:18.820 --> 00:36:21.500 but through repentance 00:36:21.500 --> 00:36:24.800 it produces a genuine follower of Jesus. 00:36:25.400 --> 00:36:26.200 Do you understand that? 00:36:27.760 --> 00:36:28.720 Saving faith 00:36:28.720 --> 00:36:30.700 doesn't just produce a confession 00:36:30.700 --> 00:36:33.079 it produces a follower. 00:36:34.159 --> 00:36:35.720 It's one thing to say 00:36:35.720 --> 00:36:37.039 he's the Christ 00:36:37.039 --> 00:36:38.780 it's another thing to repent 00:36:38.780 --> 00:36:40.800 and follow him as the Christ 00:36:40.800 --> 00:36:42.220 and that's what the disciples 00:36:42.220 --> 00:36:43.740 are going to be faced with having to do. 00:36:43.900 --> 00:36:45.039 It's going to be very important 00:36:45.039 --> 00:36:46.679 for them moving forward 00:36:46.679 --> 00:36:49.059 especially as we get to the very next text. 00:36:50.000 --> 00:36:51.019 Let's finish it up. 00:36:51.079 --> 00:36:51.460 Verse 30 00:36:51.460 --> 00:36:52.800 and he strictly charged them 00:36:52.800 --> 00:36:54.300 to tell no one. 00:36:55.199 --> 00:36:55.940 Tell no one. 00:36:57.599 --> 00:36:58.619 This command is no different 00:36:58.619 --> 00:36:59.880 than Jesus' instruction 00:36:59.880 --> 00:37:00.699 to the blind man 00:37:00.699 --> 00:37:01.860 not to go into the village 00:37:01.860 --> 00:37:04.320 and it's really for the same reason. 00:37:05.619 --> 00:37:08.280 We cannot divorce Jesus' identity 00:37:08.280 --> 00:37:09.559 from his true purpose 00:37:09.559 --> 00:37:11.619 but that purpose can't be understood 00:37:11.619 --> 00:37:13.659 apart from his crucifixion and resurrection. 00:37:14.199 --> 00:37:14.639 Right? 00:37:14.880 --> 00:37:16.860 It's one thing to know who Jesus is 00:37:16.860 --> 00:37:18.800 it's another thing to know his purpose. 00:37:19.200 --> 00:37:20.280 Jesus was concerned 00:37:20.280 --> 00:37:21.380 that the disciples 00:37:21.380 --> 00:37:23.019 don't just start going around Galilee 00:37:23.019 --> 00:37:24.700 saying he is the one 00:37:24.700 --> 00:37:25.700 he is the one 00:37:25.700 --> 00:37:27.099 he is the Christ 00:37:27.099 --> 00:37:28.300 because there was already 00:37:28.300 --> 00:37:29.000 a group of people 00:37:29.000 --> 00:37:31.000 that had tried to take him by force 00:37:31.000 --> 00:37:32.700 and force him to be their king. 00:37:33.120 --> 00:37:33.360 Why? 00:37:33.640 --> 00:37:34.940 Because they had a misunderstanding 00:37:34.940 --> 00:37:36.840 of what the Messiah was 00:37:36.840 --> 00:37:38.420 and what his purpose was. 00:37:38.840 --> 00:37:40.200 Jesus wasn't interested in that. 00:37:40.800 --> 00:37:42.360 This is exactly why 00:37:42.360 --> 00:37:44.920 when Jesus goes to Jerusalem later on 00:37:44.920 --> 00:37:46.920 remember he rides in on a donkey 00:37:46.920 --> 00:37:49.440 and the crowds are throwing down palm branches 00:37:49.440 --> 00:37:50.019 and they're saying 00:37:50.019 --> 00:37:50.940 Hosanna! 00:37:51.440 --> 00:37:52.700 God save us! 00:37:52.800 --> 00:37:54.579 God's salvation has come! 00:37:55.160 --> 00:37:56.820 And just a matter of days later 00:37:56.820 --> 00:37:58.640 they're crying for his crucifixion. 00:37:58.980 --> 00:37:59.240 Why? 00:37:59.420 --> 00:38:00.820 Because their expectations 00:38:00.820 --> 00:38:02.559 weren't actually met in Jesus. 00:38:03.700 --> 00:38:05.160 Their expectations weren't met. 00:38:06.099 --> 00:38:08.160 And so Jesus is concerned for that 00:38:08.160 --> 00:38:09.519 and he's telling the disciples 00:38:09.519 --> 00:38:10.579 don't tell anybody 00:38:10.579 --> 00:38:12.079 until you get it. 00:38:12.179 --> 00:38:13.659 And eventually they're going to get it 00:38:13.659 --> 00:38:15.340 and Jesus is going to send these men 00:38:15.340 --> 00:38:16.159 across the world. 00:38:16.460 --> 00:38:17.239 And he's going to send them 00:38:17.239 --> 00:38:17.980 across the world 00:38:17.980 --> 00:38:19.259 with clear sight. 00:38:19.400 --> 00:38:20.840 But they don't have clear sight yet. 00:38:21.099 --> 00:38:21.639 They see 00:38:21.639 --> 00:38:22.759 but it's blurry. 00:38:23.619 --> 00:38:24.559 It's unclear 00:38:24.559 --> 00:38:27.659 until after his resurrection. 00:38:30.039 --> 00:38:31.019 Then we see 00:38:31.019 --> 00:38:33.000 that the same Peter 00:38:33.000 --> 00:38:34.460 that makes the great confession 00:38:34.460 --> 00:38:35.460 in verse 29 00:38:35.460 --> 00:38:37.759 rebukes the Lord 00:38:37.759 --> 00:38:38.799 in verse 32. 00:38:40.579 --> 00:38:42.719 We're going to get there next week 00:38:42.719 --> 00:38:44.039 but let me just point it out to you. 00:38:44.079 --> 00:38:45.000 Would you look at verse 32 00:38:45.000 --> 00:38:45.699 before I finish? 00:38:46.759 --> 00:38:47.920 And he said this plainly 00:38:47.920 --> 00:38:49.659 talking about his gospel 00:38:49.659 --> 00:38:51.000 his crucifixion resurrection. 00:38:51.460 --> 00:38:52.400 And Peter took him aside 00:38:52.400 --> 00:38:53.819 and rebuked him. 00:38:56.019 --> 00:38:57.039 I mean we're talking 00:38:57.039 --> 00:38:57.659 just 00:38:57.659 --> 00:38:59.400 just before this 00:38:59.400 --> 00:39:00.920 Peter's the one that said 00:39:00.920 --> 00:39:02.119 you're the Christ! 00:39:02.619 --> 00:39:03.500 You're the Christ! 00:39:03.500 --> 00:39:05.500 And then Jesus says 00:39:05.500 --> 00:39:05.840 okay 00:39:05.840 --> 00:39:06.840 you got that? 00:39:07.460 --> 00:39:08.719 Now I got to go to Jerusalem 00:39:08.719 --> 00:39:10.519 and I'm going to be put on a cross 00:39:10.519 --> 00:39:11.420 and after that 00:39:11.420 --> 00:39:12.340 I'm going to raise up. 00:39:12.619 --> 00:39:14.059 And Peter pulls him to the side 00:39:14.059 --> 00:39:15.260 the audacity of Peter 00:39:15.260 --> 00:39:15.820 in this moment. 00:39:16.079 --> 00:39:17.099 He pulls him to the side 00:39:17.099 --> 00:39:17.559 and he says 00:39:17.559 --> 00:39:18.639 may it never be 00:39:18.639 --> 00:39:20.059 we will never let that happen. 00:39:20.420 --> 00:39:21.280 And what does Jesus say? 00:39:21.519 --> 00:39:22.400 Get behind me. 00:39:22.800 --> 00:39:24.619 You're closer to following Satan 00:39:24.619 --> 00:39:25.980 than you are to following God. 00:39:26.920 --> 00:39:27.340 Why? 00:39:27.840 --> 00:39:29.320 Because Peter cared more 00:39:29.320 --> 00:39:30.880 about what his expectations 00:39:30.880 --> 00:39:31.660 were of Jesus 00:39:31.660 --> 00:39:34.039 than what Jesus' true purpose was. 00:39:34.180 --> 00:39:35.220 It's not enough 00:39:35.220 --> 00:39:36.200 just to say 00:39:36.200 --> 00:39:37.220 he's the Christ 00:39:37.220 --> 00:39:38.840 we must follow him 00:39:38.840 --> 00:39:39.480 as the Christ. 00:39:39.780 --> 00:39:41.840 We must submit to his purpose 00:39:41.840 --> 00:39:43.039 his will 00:39:43.039 --> 00:39:44.380 who he says 00:39:44.380 --> 00:39:45.700 that he is. 00:39:46.860 --> 00:39:48.079 Is it any wonder 00:39:48.079 --> 00:39:48.940 that it's immediately 00:39:48.940 --> 00:39:49.760 after that 00:39:49.760 --> 00:39:51.519 that Jesus calls the crowds 00:39:51.519 --> 00:39:52.360 with Peter 00:39:52.360 --> 00:39:53.280 right behind him 00:39:53.280 --> 00:39:54.380 that he's just called him Satan 00:39:54.380 --> 00:39:55.380 and right behind him 00:39:55.380 --> 00:39:55.740 and he says 00:39:55.740 --> 00:39:56.039 listen 00:39:56.039 --> 00:39:56.599 if you're going to 00:39:56.599 --> 00:39:57.760 if you're going to follow me 00:39:57.760 --> 00:39:58.440 you're going to have to 00:39:58.440 --> 00:39:59.280 deny yourself. 00:39:59.280 --> 00:40:01.460 take up your cross 00:40:01.460 --> 00:40:02.820 and follow me. 00:40:03.360 --> 00:40:04.300 It doesn't matter 00:40:04.300 --> 00:40:05.860 what your expectations are. 00:40:06.000 --> 00:40:06.660 It doesn't matter 00:40:06.660 --> 00:40:08.080 what you want me to be. 00:40:08.200 --> 00:40:09.620 I'm telling you who I am 00:40:09.620 --> 00:40:10.380 and if you're really 00:40:10.380 --> 00:40:11.100 going to follow me 00:40:11.100 --> 00:40:11.580 you're going to have to 00:40:11.580 --> 00:40:13.460 submit to what I'm saying I am. 00:40:14.580 --> 00:40:15.800 He's the Lord. 00:40:17.740 --> 00:40:18.820 Peter can see 00:40:18.820 --> 00:40:21.680 he's just not very clear yet. 00:40:23.380 --> 00:40:24.740 Do you see anything? 00:40:26.140 --> 00:40:27.140 That was the question 00:40:27.140 --> 00:40:28.100 Jesus asked right? 00:40:29.280 --> 00:40:30.600 Do you see anything? 00:40:31.380 --> 00:40:32.100 Do you see anything? 00:40:33.480 --> 00:40:34.960 Maybe you see a little bit. 00:40:36.740 --> 00:40:37.980 I see a little bit. 00:40:39.180 --> 00:40:40.200 It's just not very clear. 00:40:41.740 --> 00:40:43.180 Do you see anything? 00:40:44.300 --> 00:40:45.720 It starts with this 00:40:45.720 --> 00:40:46.860 identifying mark. 00:40:47.420 --> 00:40:48.420 It doesn't end there 00:40:48.420 --> 00:40:50.240 but it starts there. 00:40:51.580 --> 00:40:52.920 Who do you say 00:40:52.920 --> 00:40:54.380 that he is? 00:40:54.380 --> 00:40:55.059 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