To understand this section, we need to read Mark 8:22-26 in light of Mark 8:27-30. The healing of the blind man in two stages was intentional, and is meant to show us what it means to see and not see clearly.
Earlier, in Mark 5:40, 6:6, we see what the people were like. They wanted Jesus to do miracles, but they also mocked and doubted Him.
In a similar way, do we see the cross rightly and understand it properly or not? What is the cross? How do you see it? Some people say that Christianity is a cruciform, cross-shaped religion. It is a symbol of our faith. Some wear it and some churches have it displayed. Yet in the first century, the cross stood for something shameful and humiliating.
(A) Seeing in two stages (Mark 8:22-26)
When we pick up in Mark 8:22-23, Jesus returns to this area in Bethsaida and when He was presented with the blind man, took Him out of the village and led him away from the crowd. Why did Jesus not reward the faith of those who begged Him to heal? Jesus has been trying to keep his miraculous works quiet. He has a sense of divine timing and knows that the time is not yet right.
But here, there is another concern that Jesus has, that He is mindful about. He does not want a certain understanding of His healing to go out.
Jesus healed in seven steps in two stages. In the first stage, He:
Took the blind man by the hand
Leads the blind man out of the village
Spit on his eyes
Laid His hands on him
Asked if he saw anything. The man said that he saw men like trees walking. He could make out shapes but not see details. He could see but his sight was not clear. Jesus was setting up a series of lessons. The disciples now learn that not everyone who can see, sees clearly.
In the second stage,
6. He laid His hands on His eyes
7. Man opened his eyes and his sight was restored
It is clear that Jesus is the source of healing. Notice how Jesus did not pray. The different practices in Jesus’ different healings show us that Jesus did not rely on a formula. He has all the power and authority in the world and He does as He pleases. Let us not forget that the lack of a formula does not mean anything less than the fact that Jesus is sovereign.
(B) See the Christ of glory (Mark 8:27-30)
Jesus then went on to the villages of Caesarea Philippi (Mark 8:27). The journey is often the context for lessons with Jesus.
Jesus asks the disciples who the people say He is (Mark 8:27b). They reply that the people think He is John the Baptist, Elijah or one of the prophets (Mark 8:28). But Jesus was more interested in what His disciples say about Him (Mark 8:29).
Peter answered Jesus that He is the Christ. Jesus did not deny or disagree with Peter’s statement and merely charges them to tell no one about Him. Once again, we see His sense of divine timing and intention. He did not want people to go around telling people that He is the Christ. He did not want them to misunderstand this word, “Christ”.
The term “Christ'“ is full of meaning for the people. In 2 Samuel 7:14-16, God promises a son of David who is a son of God who will rule in the line of David forever. Imagine the confidence and excitement of the people.
In Psalm 2, the Son reigns and all who pledge their allegiance to Him will enjoy peace. The nations have been given to Him as His inheritance too but they do not accept His rule and reject Him. We see this play out in the nation of Israel, where the nations around them reject God’s reign and rule.
In Jeremiah 23:5-6, there is a prophecy that the stump of Jesse — the line that was razed — will now yield a Branch. That which was cut off is now bearing fruit again. He is talking about restoration of a post-exilic kingdom. The people are still waiting for the promised King to come.
Thus, the Christ is the promised one they have been waiting for that will come to rescue them. There is no Christ without rescue, no rescue without power, and no power without glory. Peter points to this Christ when he answers Jesus. He has in mind the powerful and glorious rescue that the Christ will bring about. Peter understands Jesus to be the Christ of glory.
(C) See the Cross of discipleship (Mark 8:31-38)
Thus, Jesus teaches a couple of things in Mark 8:31-32. Firstly, He speaks about the Son of Man. Jesus refers to the Son of Man mentioned in Daniel 7:13. This Son of Man goes to the Ancient of Days and is presented before Him. This helps us to see the status of the Son of Man, and He receives from the Ancient of Days a kingdom (Dan 7:14).
Secondly, the Son of Man must suffer many things. This divine, godlike figure comes under the influence of and allows Himself to be affected by suffering.
Thirdly, He will also be rejected by the elders, chief priest and scribes. Jesus spells out the each group clearly for Jesus needs to be rejected by the entire religious establishment.
Finally, the Son of Man must lose His life and will be killed. Yet, after three days, He will rise again.
The disciples would not have understood any of these things though Jesus said it plainly (Mark 8:32).
As a result of this teaching, Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke Him (Mark 8:32). This was also ironic because Peter had confessed that He is the Christ a few moments earlier. Why? Peter expected Jesus to save the people so how was He going to do so if He’s dead. This is completely unthinkable for Peter, for it would mean the end of all his dreams and hopes both for himself and for his countrymen. He could only see the Christ of glory and could not see the cross.
In response, Jesus rebuked Peter (Mark 8:33). He had a great reaction to what Peter said and even called Peter, “Satan” before scolding him. Jesus could not understand a cross-less Christ. He also told Peter that he was not setting his mind on the things of God but on the things of man. Man thinks about glory, power and rescue but the things of God involve suffering, death, defeat, weakness, humbling and losing everything.
How does Jesus expand His teaching to the wider crowd and what is His emphasis? (v34-38 c.f., 2 Tim 1:8)
Jesus then speaks to the crowd and lays down the principle of the cross (Mark 8:34-38). Anyone who wishes to follow Him must be like Him, willing to take up the cross and follow HIm. This involves denying one’s self to follow Jesus. It means death to ambition, hopes, rescue and glory and in its place, Jesus’ life, hopes, plans and ambitions replace it.
—> There is an exclusivity to this following that can only come about when we have decided to die.
Jesus follows up with two rhetorical questions in Mark 8:36-37 and it fleshes out two distinct ways of Jesus. His followers cannot have the world and Jesus at the same time. Neither can they be ashamed of Jesus and follow Him. There will be no cross unless we are willing to follow Jesus. He is the Christ of the cross for He insisted that there is no Christ without the cross. Our journey of following Jesus looks like His. To be a Christian means to say no to ourselves and yes to Him.
What does the cross mean to you? What does it cost you to be a Christian?
Paul writes in Galatians 6:14, “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
Is there a part of your life that you have not yielded to God? Bring it to Jesus, surrender it to Him, crucify the part of your life that you are still holding from Him today.
Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the Bright and Morning Star
Shed His beams around me.
In the cross, in the cross
Be my glory ever,
Till my ransomed soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What does it mean to see in two stages – how would you describe yourself today?
Why are we so drawn to the Christ of glory – how does it speak to us?
What is God calling us to do in taking up the Cross of discipleship? What does this mean for you today?