Who Do You Say That I Am? Series

WHO DO YOU SAY I AM?

Mark 8:22-9:1

INTRO:

The Truman Show features Jim Carrey as a naive insurance salesman whose humdrum existence is, unbeknownst to him, being telecast live around the globe 24 hours a day.

The film evolves from an intriguing premise. A corporation, personified by a sovereign television producer named Christof, adopts an unborn child for the purpose of creating the ultimate home movie. For nearly thirty years, 5,000 hidden cameras monitor Truman Burbank’s every move for the peeping masses. Truman doesn’t know he’s on display, or that his pristine hometown of Seahaven Island is actually an enormous sound stage filled with actors hired to play various roles in his life.

But things start to unravel. Strange events inspire Truman to satisfy his curiosity about the world around him, eventually leading him on a quest to sail beyond the borders of his small Island. And Christof wants desperately to stop him before he reaches the truth and freedom waiting at the outer walls of the set.

Let’s watch as Truman has an eye-opening experience.

[Truman Show Video Clip]

Its possible to have an eye-opening experience that changes your whole life.

Perhaps you can relate to his struggle to see things clearly.

PREV:

Today, God wants you to have an eye-opening experience. He wants you to see things clearly, and to change, improve your entire life. Today we are going to see how Jesus can open your eyes, and what you will see when he does. Its in Mark 8. Turn there with me

As I read Mk. 8:22-26, notice how Jesus opens this man’s eyes.

A. Jesus gives sight to a physically blind man

A fairly typical situation. Jesus shows up in a place, and some people bring a needy person to him. In this case, a blind man. Jesus establishes a personal relationship with him – takes his hand, leads him away from the crowd. He uses a common symbol of healing -–spit, hands on.

The man’s sight is partially restored – he has blurry vision. Jesus touches him again, and his sight is fully restored. Typically, Jesus sends him home in silence.

One of the things God promised to do when he came to his people was heal the blind. Cf. Isa. 35:5. This healing shows that Jesus is divine.

B. Jesus offers sight to the spiritually blind too.

But there’s more here than that. Only recorded by Mark. This miracle is unique – partial sight, then full sight. When you see what follows this passage, you will see that Mark includes this for a specific reason. Its not just about Jesus’ ability to physically open blind eyes. Its a picture of faith, of Jesus’ ability to open spiritually blind eyes.

Its possible today that you are, spiritually speaking, blind. Or that your vision is blurry. And that vision problem is the root of the angst, unhappiness, emptiness, unfulfillment in your life.

Jesus helps those who can’t see physically see.

Jesus helps those who can’t “see” spiritually see.

The key question is, “Do you see anything?”

How is your spiritual vision? What do you see?

I. JESUS CHRIST WANTS TO OPEN YOUR EYES

“I have come to open blind eyes.” I want to give you an eye-opening experience. He wants to take you by the hand and give you your sight back.

Trans: What is it that he wants you to see? When our eyes are open, what will we see? The answer comes in the form of another question that Jesus asks, in Mk. 8:27

A. The question

An important point of transition in Mark’s Gospel.

Ceasarea Phillipi, 25 mi. north of Galilee, pagan area.

Unusual for a rabbi to ask the questions…

“Who do people say I am?”

This corresponds to “Do you see anything?”

“What do people see when they look at me?”

Let’s see the answer as we read Mark 8:28.

B. The people’s answers

They give Jesus the popular estimation of who he was:

John the Baptist (recently beheaded)

Elijah – the prophet of old

One of the prophets – one in the long line.

These views were going around for some time.

Cf. 6:14-16. These views weren’t negative, but inadequate.

If he is John or Elijah, he’s nothing in himself, just the realization of a past event.

If he is just a prophet, this fails to distinguish him.

These answers correspond to the partial sight in v. 24.

These answers exists in our culture too.

Now Jesus redirects the question in Mk. 8:29-30.

C. A disciple’s answer

We know what they see. What do you see?

Emphasis on "you" who do you say I am?

Peter speaks for all, no doubt.

Christ = Messiah = Anointed One, the Coming king.

First use of "Christ" since 1:1.

This is climax of Mark’s story so far, the crucial turning point, what he has been leading up to the whole way.