*Mark 8:22-37
Jesus heals a blind man in stages, then foretells his own rejection and death to his disciples.
- Miraculous Healing of a Blind Man:
- Jesus and his disciples arrive in Bethsaida, where some people bring a blind man to Jesus, begging him to touch the man and heal him.
- Jesus takes the blind man by the hand and leads him out of the village. He spits on the man’s eyes and lays his hands on him, asking if he can see anything.
- The man responds that he sees people, but they look like trees walking. Jesus lays his hands on the man’s eyes again, and his sight is fully restored. Jesus instructs him not to return to the village.
- Peter’s Confession of Christ:
- Jesus and his disciples journey to the villages near Caesarea Philippi. Along the way, Jesus asks his disciples who people say he is.
- The disciples offer various answers, but Peter declares, “You are the Christ.”
- Jesus warns them not to tell anyone about him.
- Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection:
- Jesus begins to teach his disciples that the Son of Man must suffer many things, be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
- Peter rebukes Jesus, but Jesus sharply responds, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
- Cost of Discipleship:
- Jesus calls the crowd and his disciples, instructing them that whoever wants to follow him must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow him.
- He emphasizes the value of one’s soul over worldly gain, stating that those who are ashamed of him and his words will be rejected when he comes in glory.
Mark 8:22-37 teaches us about seeing clearly—both physically and spiritually—and following Jesus with our whole hearts. Jesus heals a blind man in stages, reminding us that spiritual growth is a process, and we may not understand everything right away. He also tells His disciples that following Him means putting God first, even when it’s hard. In our lives, this means trusting God to help us grow in faith, making choices that honor Him, and not being afraid to let go of things that keep us from fully following Him.
Mark 8:22-37 (WEB)
8:22 He came to Bethsaida. They brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him. 23 He took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village. When he had spat on his eyes, and laid his hands on him, he asked him if he saw anything.24 He looked up, and said, “I see men, but I see them like walking trees.”25 Then again he laid his hands on his eyes. He looked intently, and was restored, and saw everyone clearly. 26 He sent him away to his house, saying, “Don’t enter into the village, nor tell anyone in the village.”27 Jesus went out, with his disciples, into the villages of Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that I am?”28 They told him, “John the Baptizer, and others say Elijah, but others, one of the prophets.”29 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”Peter answered, “You are the Christ.”30 He commanded them that they should tell no one about him. 31 He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke to them openly. Peter took him and began to rebuke him. 33 But he, turning around and seeing his disciples, rebuked Peter, and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you have in mind not the things of God, but the things of men.”34 He called the multitude to himself with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; and whoever will lose his life for my sake and the sake of the Good News will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? 37 For what will a man give in exchange for his life?