This is our third look at the book of Mark. Let’s keep in mind that Jesus is on the road to Jerusalem. We don’t have time to examine this idea in detail, but just as we talked about 6 boat rides two weeks ago, in this section you can find 6 references to Jesus on the way or on the road. (8:27, 10:52)
*******
Everyone who has been in school has probably done this. The teacher gives a test or asks a question. You quickly put up your hand or write your answer, and bravo! Your answer is correct, but you don’t have a clue what it means.
1. Two test questions
That’s the way it was for Jesus’ disciples. In the first part of Mark’s gospel everyone was amazed at the things Jesus said and the miracles Jesus did and they started asking, “Who is this man?” Even the disciples had a hard time figuring out who he was. Finally, after six boat trips across the Sea of Galilee with his disciples, Jesus gave a pop quiz and he asked two questions.
In 8:27 he asked “Who do people say that I am?”
In 8:29 he asked “Who do you say that I am?”
Regarding the first question, the disciples had their ears to the ground. They knew what other people were thinking. After all, if you are going to help people understand Jesus, you need to understand them. If you are going to minister to the needs of other people, you need to know what their needs are. The disciples get credit for getting that much right.
But the second question is even more important, because if you say you are a follower of Jesus and don’t know who he is, then you are either a liar or you are terribly confused. You need to know who Jesus is to you. It has become rather fashionable to wear clothing with WWJD on it. “What would Jesus do?” is a good question to ask. It’s probably even more important, though, to ask WWJWMTD. (What would Jesus want me to do?)
Next month at the annual conference of our denomination, a question will be brought to the floor that asks a question about who Jesus is. One congregation is asking for a statement of clarification about the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. In the nineties our denomination made statements describing Jesus as the “Son of God, Savior of the world, and head of the church.” And there have been other statements about the uniqueness of Jesus. But some writers have said things that aren’t so clear. So, this query is asking for a separate, clear statement about who Jesus is.
You see, if we are going to continue the work of Jesus, we need to know who he is. If we are going to minister in the name of Jesus, we need to know what that name is. The Bible says there is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved. And if we don’t know who Jesus is here, there may come a time there when he will say he doesn’t know us. So Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?”
And Peter was ready with his answer: You are the Messiah. Hooray for Pete. He got it right, didn’t he? After all, look at Mark 1:1. “This is the good news about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” So why didn’t Jesus slap him on the back and give him a high five and say “Good job!” Get out there and tell everyone. Let’s close the book and go home. But Jesus doesn’t do that.
And we get the impression that it became awfully quiet. Everybody was holding their breath.
I think it must have been like what happened outside our house Friday morning at 2:00. A highway patrolman pulled over a young man in his car. From our upstairs window we could see what was going on. The patrolman pointed his flashlight at the feet of this young man and asked him to walk a straight line. Then the patrolman asked him to hold one foot up. I’m sure his girlfriend was holding her breath to see if he would pass the test. He didn’t. The patrolman handcuffed him and took him away. After all, if you are going to be out on the road, you’d better be sober and able to drive.
The same for Peter. If you’re going to be on the road with Jesus, then you’d better know who he is. You not only need to know the answer to the question of who he is, you need to know the meaning of the answer. If you say he is Lord of your life, what does that mean?
2. Two healings
Now I invite you to look at what happened just before this test, when Jesus gave sight to a blind man. This is an interesting story because Jesus treated this man twice. After Jesus touched him the first time he could see, but not clearly. After Jesus touched him the second time, he was able to see clearly.
That is the way it was with Peter and the disciples. At first their understanding, their insight, was not clear. It was fuzzy. They had some idea of what Jesus was up to, but they weren’t quite sure. Jesus had to impress upon them again and again who he was and what he was up to. Jesus wanted to open their eyes and make them see. And that is what chapters 8-10 are about.
Now look at the story that begins with 10:46. In v. 47 we see that this man, Bartimaeus, even though he was blind, knew who Jesus was. He called him Jesus! Son of David! Here was a man who, even though he was blind, was able to see. Other people weren’t able to see what he saw. The religious leaders couldn’t figure Jesus out. The crowds couldn’t understand. And the disciples, even though they could see, were also blind. Jesus had to help them again and again. And it turns out that those who closest to Jesus and claimed to know who he was were furthest from the truth. And the outsiders, these two blind men, were able to see who Jesus was.
It raises the question of how well we see Jesus. Where are the blind spots? Where do we need help? Have you asked him to Open the eyes of your heart?
3. Three predictions
After Peter gave his answer, Jesus immediately tried to help his blindness. Peter had the words right. He knew the right title. He made it past the first step. But just like the blind man who needed a second touch, Peter needed to take another step. Peter had his own idea of the kind of Messiah Jesus was going to be, just like some people I have talked to. They want a sweet, soft Jesus who will be like a soft, fuzzy presence that will smile at everything they do and will make life easy and smooth out all the bumps so everything will be hunky dory. Have you met people like that? That isn’t quite what Peter was looking for. Peter was looking for a Messiah who would come with political power and awesome authority, who would topple the bad dictators and get rid of all the terrorists and destroy all the enemies. That is the Messiah Peter was looking for.
But, to Peter’s surprise, the first thing Jesus talks about is suffering, rejection, taking up the cross, death, and forgetting yourself. In 8:32 he says “He made this very clear to them.” So clear, that Peter thought Jesus was mistaken. Peter knew what Messiahs should do. They don’t die. And Peter tried to correct him, to steer him down another path. But Peter was wrong and Jesus recognized that Peter wanted to take him down Satan’s path. Jesus knew that if he became that kind of Messiah, he would not be doing God’s will. The language is very strong. Peter rebuked Jesus. Jesus rebuked Peter. That word is the word used to describe driving out demons. So now we know for sure that while Peter’s answer sounded correct, there was something wrong with it.
So, Jesus told them about himself a second time. In 9:31 he told them that he would be killed and that he would rise. In v. 32 we read that they did not understand and they were afraid to ask him.
So in10:32 he told them a third time. He spelled out where they were going and how he would die and rise again. Three times he described what would happen. Three times he explained. He made every effort to help them see. So, did they understand then? Unfortunately, no. Note the incredible patience Jesus exercises in trying to open their eyes. The bumper sticker: “I’m not perfect. God isn’t finished with me yet” rings true, doesn’t it. The song says, “He’s still working on me.” What patience. What grace.
4. Three failures
Each time after he told them about his death we learn that they failed to understand. For example, after the first time (8:32) we find that the disciples could not do the work that Jesus did. A man came with a boy that needed healing, but the disciples were not able to drive out an evil spirit. Jesus had to do it for them.
After the second time he told them about his death (9:31), they argued about who was the greatest. Does that sound like they understand about being a servant? He set a child in front of them, a kid with no power, no status, no authority, no greatness of his own.
After the third time he talked about his death (10:32), two of his disciples asked if they could have the top spots in his kingdom. Does that sound like they understand? Each time, Jesus tried to help them understand what it means to follow Jesus.
5. Three teachings
We don’t have time to go into detail, but from the questions the disciples asked, we get the impression that they are obsessed with power. While Jesus’ mind is fixed on the cross, the disciples are wondering, “Which one of us is going to be the greatest in this new kingdom?”
After the disciples’ first failure he showed them that power comes not from themselves, but from God. (9:29) Only prayer can drive this kind out, Jesus said. It is a lesson we all need to learn. Last week I spoke with a man who said, “My life had to bottom out before I realized that I could not depend on myself. I have to depend on God.” The disciples learned it. We need to live it. A disciple depends on God.
After their second failure, Jesus welcomed a child. (9:36) A child has no independent status, no power. And because of that children are frequently overlooked. Jesus wants us to watch for the little people, too. Romans 14 says to welcome the weak in faith. Sometimes it is tempting to exclude people who we think may not have anything to offer because they are social misfits, or they are different from us, or even handicapped. Welcome them. Show hospitality. Disciples need to welcome everyone.
After their third failure, Jesus told them that disciples do not become rulers; they become servants. “If one of you wants to be great, you must be the servant of the rest.” (10:43) The pattern they were familiar with was government and civil authority. But Jesus came to show us another way. Instead of ruling; we find ways to serve. Instead of hurting, we find ways to heal. And the place we should see it best is in the family of God.
Conclusion
We have only scratched the surface today. I encourage you to examine this part of Mark again for even more insights. And consider where you fit in this story. As a disciple are you already on the road with Jesus? How many steps have you taken? Do you understand? Are you teachable? Or do you feel like an outsider maybe like the two blind men who felt the need of Jesus’ touch? God wants you to see. He wants you to understand. He want you to follow Jesus on the road of faith and obedience.
Resources;
Werner H. Kelber, “Mark’s story of Jesus.” 1979
Willard Swartley, “Mark: the way for all nations.” 1979
