SERMON OUTLINE:
physical sight (vs 22-26)
spiritual sight (vs 27-30)
SERMON BODY:
Ill:
• Garage door covers & illusion pictures.
• Email me for a copy – gcurley@gcurley.info)
Ill:
Eye facts - Did you know...
• That an eye is only 2.3 centimetre long on average?
• The eyeball of a human weighs approximately 28 grams.
• That the retina contains 120 million rods for "night vision",
• And 8 million cones that are colour sensitive and work best under daylight conditions?
• Your eyes can process 36,000 bits of information every hour.
• People generally read 25% slower from a computer screen compared to paper.
• The cornea is the only living tissue in the human body;
• That does not contain any blood vessels
• All babies are colour blind when they are born.
• It is impossible to sneeze with your eyes open.
• Around the pupil is a coloured muscle called the "iris."
• Our eyes may be BLUE, BROWN, GREEN, GRAY OR BLACK,
• Because that is the colour of the iris.
• About half of our brain is involved in the seeing process?
• Humans are very much visual animals.
In case you haven’t guessed our theme for this morning’s sermon is ‘seeing’
• And we have before us in the passage (Mark chapter 8 verses 22-30);
• Two types of seeing!
• Physical sight and spiritual sight.
• i.e. Physical sight – a man is healed and goes from blindness to seeing.
• i.e. Spiritual sight – Peter discovers just who Jesus really is!
(a). Physical sight (vs 22-26):
”They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?"
24He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around."
25Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26Jesus sent him home, saying, "Don't go into the village."
• Only recorded by Mark in his gospel records this short story that we have read;
• It is actually quite unique among the miracles of Jesus.
• Because it is the only healing of Jesus that occurred gradually, rather than instantly.
Note:
• The four gospels record the healing of at least seven different blind men,
• And what they show to us is that Jesus healed people in a variety of different ways.
• But apart from this man - the other six blind men received all their sight instantly;
• Only the blind man in Mark chapter 8 received his sight in two stages.
• Therefore he is unique in the miracles of Jesus.
Note:
• We are told in verse 24 that the man recognized men and trees;
• This would suggest that he had not been born blind;
• But that he had probably been blinded by accident or more likely disease.
TWO QUESTIONS COME TO MY MIND AS I READ THE STORY:
• (1). Why spittle?
• (2). Why partial healing?
(1). Why spittle?
Answer:
• There was at the time of Jesus two codes of conducts,
• Two laws that you were required to live by,
• First: Was the Law of Moses (Torah – written Law).
• Second: Was the Rabbinical, Oral law (Teaching of the elders).
• Note: Jesus never, ever broke any of the ‘Laws of Moses’.
• But he constantly, deliberately broke the Rabbinical, Oral Law.
• Jesus took as his authority always from ‘The Law of Moses’ & the O.T. writings
• The Pharisees took as their authority, primarily from ‘The Oral law’.
Ill:
• The oral law was meant to be a hedge safe-guarding the ‘written law’.
• e.g. Treated God’s name – (Matthew’s Gospel – mainly to Jews).
• Never said; “Kingdom of God” they always spoke of “Kingdom of heaven”.
• Point is if you didn’t use God’s name then you could not blaspheme it.
• So the oral law was meant to be a hedge safe-guarding the ‘written law’.
• But in time it had become just as important, sadly to some more important!
Note: One of the Oral Laws was to do with a person’s eyes was this one:
"Wine is prohibited so far as being injected into the eye, but it may be applied to the eyelids, but spittle is forbidden even on the eyelids".
• Jesus chooses to deliberately disobey these man made rules,
• Think of the more obvious ways Jesus could have healed the blind man:
• i.e. By Speaking.
• i.e. Or by laying his hands on him.
• But Jesus quite deliberately chooses this very visual way to restore his sight;
• Knowing full well that it would cause him problems with the Pharisees.
Ill:
• Three times it is recorded in the gospels:
• That Jesus used saliva in the course of a miracle;
• In John 9 verses 6-7. In Mark chapter 7 verse 33 & here in Mark chapter 8 verse 23.
I think the point he is making is this:
• He does not operate on human authority – he breaks the rules & regulations of men.
• His authority is in accordance with the word of God;
• He marches to the beat of a different drum.
(2). Why partial healing?
Answer:
• I believe Mark puts this story at this point in his gospel as a sort of parable:
• An illustration of what has gone on before in the last couple of chapters;
• And what will take place in the following verses after this event.
BEFORE this healing;
• Hostility and unbelief are the context leading this short story.
• The religious leaders and the Jewish people are blind regarding who Jesus is;
• We are told Jesus could not perform any miracles in that place!
• But because of the unbelief he encountered there; there was no faith!
• Also earlier on in the chapter the Pharisees come demanding Jesus perform a miracle.
• But they wanted him to do this NOT because they want to believe;
• But because they wanted to find fault, they wanted good reasons to criticise him;
• So hostility and unbelief are the context before this short story.
Now FOLLOWING this incident (as we shall see in a moment):
• The disciples are challenged as to who Jesus really is;
• And what that means.
• Up to now it is as if the disciples themselves have been blind,
• But as each day goes by God is gradually opening their eyes to see who Jesus really is.
• This was a gradual on-going process;
• Very much like the blind man in the story.
So Mark may have recorded this story here as sort of parable:
• Showing us how the religious leaders and people of Bethsaida were blind;
• Showing us how the disciples progressively moved from darkness to light.
Application:
• The disciples learned some valuable lessons on this trip,
• Lessons that they would need to remember and apply in later years of ministry.
(1). Don't seek after signs, but seek after Jesus!
• That was the mistake of the religious leaders earlier in this chapter.
• Chapter 8 verse 11.
• Don't seek after signs, but seek after Jesus himself!
• If he wants us to see signs and wonders they will naturally follow.
• But don’t get the ‘cart before the horse’.
• Don't seek after signs, but seek after Jesus!
Question: What is the purpose of a sign?
Answer: Twofold:
• A sign is to inform – to give information:
• i.e. instructions or warnings etc. – “Do not touch wet paint”.
• A sign often points to something else;
• i.e. on a motorway where you are travelling – “The Midlands 150 miles”.
These miracles of Jesus were:
• A sign is to inform – to give information - This is your Messiah – believe in him!
• A sign often points to something else – so don’t stop at the sign – let it lead you to Jesus!
(2). Let Jesus work as He wills, and expect variety in His working.
• Too many Christians put God in a box.
• And insist he can only work in a certain way!
• I believe God is God and therefore he can do whatever he chooses to do.
• The Bible shows (& Church history) that God will work how he likes and where he likes!
Ill:
Hebrews chapter 11.
• In each of the 17 individuals named,
• You will find the same four principles stated:
• First: God spoke to them.
• Second: Their inner selves were stirred in different ways.
• Third: They obeyed God.
• Fourth: God bore witness about them.
• Note: although the principles were the same;
• The way God worked in each generation was different.
• e.g. Enoch walked with God.
• e.g. Noah was told to build a boat.
• e.g. Abraham was called to leave his home and become a stranger in a strange land.
• e.g. Joseph was told to march around the city walls.
So there are two lessons to note from this first section:
• (1). Don't seek after signs, but seek after Jesus!
• (2). Don’t lock God up in a theological box – he is too big for that!
(B). Spiritual sight (vs 27-30).
27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”
28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”
29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”
30 Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.
• In these verses we move from the public arena.
• To "behind the scenes"
• From the crowds, the religious leaders and blind man (all outside, public situations);
• To the inner circle, his disciples.
Ill:
• The Duke of Wellington is best remembered;
• As the general who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815.
• During his earlier service in India,
• Wellington was in charge of negotiations after the battle of Assaye.
• The emissary of an Indian ruler,
• Anxious to know what territories would be ceded to his master,
• Tried in various ways to get the information.
• Finally, he offered Wellington a large sum of money if he would tell him.
• Wellington asked him; “Can you keep a secret?”
• “Yes, indeed,” the man said eagerly.
• “So can I,” replied Wellington.
• From. time to time, Jesus shared special "secrets" with His disciples,
• He shared deeper, insights and truths with those who were committed to him.
• And we will see one of the biggest ones in a few minutes time.
Note: The place – Caesarea Philippi:
• Jesus could not have chosen a more distracting place for his disciples;
• Than Caesarea Philippi.
• This region was strongly identified with a whole host of different religions:
• ill: It was ‘a Glastonbury’ type situation.
(a). It had been a centre for the old Syrian Baal cult,
ill:
• Thompson in his book; “The Land and the book”
• Enumerates no fewer than fourteen such temples in this area.
(b).
• The Greek god Pan (the Greek god of nature) had shrines there;
• In fact, this was said to have been his birth-place.
• The ancient town actually bore his name “Panias”.
• And to this day it is called “Banias”.
(c).
• Herod the Great had built a massive temple made of white marble;
• He built it to honour Augustus Caesar,
• Herod’s son, Philip changed the name of the town.
• He renamed the place Caesarea in honour of the Emperor,
• And he added his own name Philip,
• To distinguish it from the other Caesarea on the coasts of the Mediterranean.
• So in this great white marble temple:
• A man, the emperor of Rome was worshipped & declared to be god, master of the world.
• Notice:
• It was in the midst of this ‘heartland’ of pagan superstition:
• A who’s who of ancient religion, that Jesus asked his incredible question.
Just picture the setting again:
• Here is a homeless, penniless carpenter from Nazareth,
• With 12 very ordinary common men.
• In the south of his country;
• The Jewish leaders are planning and plotting to destroy him.
• He stands in an area littered with temples to Syrian gods.
• In a place where ancient Greek gods looked down over them,
• A place where Caesar-worship dominated the landscape and compelled the eye.
• And it is here, of all places,
• This amazing carpenter stands and asks his men a question;
• “Who do they believe him to be?”
• And he asks the question,
• Expecting an answer!
• He is forcing from his disciples a response!
• Demanding they make a decision!
Jesus has deliberately set himself against the background of world religion:
• This area is their stronghold, their history, their influences, their splendour.
• And Jesus not only demands to be compared with them,
• He expects to get the verdict over them!
A CONFESSION (VS 27-30).
• If you were to go around asking your friends, "What do people say about me?"
• They would take it as an evidence of pride.
• What difference does it really make what people think or say about us?
• We are not that important!
• But what people believe and say about Jesus Christ is important,
• Ultimately the answer affects not just this life but the whole of eternity!
Ill:
• The citizens of Caesarea Philippi would say,
• "Caesar is lord!"
• That confession might identify them as loyal Roman citizens,
• But it could never save them from their sins and from eternal hell.
• The only confession that saves us is "Jesus is Lord!" (1 Cor. 12:1-3)
• When that confession comes from a heart that truly believes in Him (Rom. 10:9-10).
A GENERAL QUESTION (VS 27): "Who do people say I am?"
• The disciples answer (verse 28:
• “”Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, others one of the prophets”
• It is remarkable the number of different opinions the people held about Jesus,
• Although the same situation probably exists today.
A PERSONAL QUESTION (VS 29): "Who do you (plural) say I am?"
• In His words and His works,
• Jesus gave every evidence that He was the Son of God, the Messiah,
• Peter like the blind man was slowly beginning to see that;
• He was moving from spiritual ignorance to spiritual enlightenment!
• Peter's confession was bold and uncompromising,
• Just as ours should be: "You are the Christ!"
Ill:
• When Wycliffe Bible translator Doug Meland and his wife;
• Moved into a village of Brazil's Fulnio Indians,
• He was referred to simply as "the white man".
• The term was by no means complimentary,
• Since other white men had exploited them, burned their homes,
• And robbed them of their lands.
• But after the Melands learned the Fulnio language;
• And began to help the people with medicine and in other ways,
• They began calling Doug "the respectable white man".
• When the Melands began adopting the customs of the people,
• The Fulnio gave them greater acceptance and spoke of Doug as "the white Indian".
• Then one day, as Doug was washing the dirty, bloodcaked foot of an injured Fulnio boy,
• He overheard a bystander say to another:
• "Whoever heard of a white man washing an Indian's foot before?
• Certainly this man is from God!"
• From that day on, whenever Doug would go into an Indian home,
• It would be announced: "Here comes the man God sent us."
A PERSONAL QUESTION: Jesus asks each one of us - "Who do you say I am?"
