Study 21
Blurred vision
Read Mark 8v22-33
The healing of this blind man shows how God often works gradually in a person's life. Jesus tenderly takes him by the hand and begins to bring his sight back - little by little. At first the man can see - but not properly. And then Jesus fully restores his sight.
God’s timing
It is often like this as we set out on the Christian life. It may be some time before we can see the truths about Jesus clearly but God promises that if He has started to work in our lives He will "carry it on to completion"(see Philippians 1:6).
God often seems to take His time with us - for His own reasons - but always for our own good.
A good confession
Even in Jesus' day people mis-understood who He was. Many thought he
was simply a great man, or someone who had come to prepare the way for the coming saviour promised in the Old Testament (the Christ).
But Peter in this passage sees a glorious truth that Jesus is in fact the one promised - that he is the Christ. (Although as verse 32 reveals he could not as yet see it properly).
Jesus asks those who have realised His true identity to remain silent because the time to reveal it to the world had not yet arrived, and it could have created worse problems for Him. In verse 31 He explains that it will be possible for all to see who He is when He suffers, dies and after three days rises again.
Peter cannot understand why Jesus has to die and starts to rebuke Him.
Jesus' harsh reply shows how important His impending death is. He came into the world to "save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15). When Peter questions this he is mouthing the propaganda of the devil.
Time to think
- Who do you think Jesus is?
- Why did Jesus die?
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