Can You See
(Mark 9:30-37)
In yesterday's Gospel lesson, we journey into chapters 8, 9, and 10 of Mark, where Jesus repeatedly teaches His disciples about His impending death and resurrection. These chapters reveal profound lessons about faith, humility, and the true nature of greatness in God's kingdom. By examining the disciples' responses and Jesus' subsequent teachings, we can gain deeper insights into our own spiritual journeys and how we can align our lives with God's will.
From Self-Approved to Self-Denial.
In Mark 8, Jesus begins to teach His disciples that the Son of Man must suffer, be rejected, killed, and after three days rise again. Peter, misunderstanding Jesus' mission, rebukes Him, thinking that the Messiah should not suffer. Jesus, in turn, rebukes Peter, highlighting that Peter's interests are aligned with human concerns rather than God's divine plan. A disciple of Jesus will not seek his own interest but the will of God and the interest of others.
From First to Last.
In Mark 9, Jesus again predicts His death and resurrection. This time, the disciples' response is to argue among themselves about who is the greatest. Jesus addresses their misunderstanding by placing a child before them, teaching that true greatness in God's kingdom is found in humility and servanthood. A disciple of Jesus will find greatness in putting God and others first.
From Position to Posture:
In Mark 10, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, ask Jesus for positions of honor in His glory. This request causes indignation among the other disciples. Jesus uses this moment to teach that greatness in His kingdom is not about power or status but about serving others, just as He came to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. A disciple of Jesus seeks not a position but a posture of serving God and others.
The Blind Men Bookends.
Mark presents us with two bookends that open and close these three chapters that focus on Jesus' teaching the disciples about his impending death and resurrection. He uses two blind men who represent the spiritual awareness of the disciples. Mark 8 begins with the healing of a blind man who initially sees people as trees walking. Jesus touches him again, and his sight is fully restored. This healing symbolizes the disciples' gradual understanding of Jesus' mission. At the end of Mark 10, another blind man, Bartimaeus, is healed because of his faith. His immediate following of Jesus after receiving sight exemplifies true discipleship—seeing clearly and following Jesus wholeheartedly.
Can you see?
Jesus' teachings in Mark 8-10 challenge us to examine our own desires for status, power, and recognition. True greatness in God's kingdom is found in humility, servanthood, and aligning our will with God's.
This week, ask the Holy Spirit to help you see how you can further grow as a disciple of Jesus in the ways that Jesus reveals in his teachings. Pray and ask Jesus to help you see more clearly the areas you need to grow in faith and the actions you need to take to follow Him.
Peace be with you!
- Pastor Bruce
