Mark 8:22-38
Q .1. Whom did they bring to Jesus? What did Jesus do? How effective was the healing? Did Jesus leave the man partially healed? What did Jesus tell him? Why? – (Mk.8:22-26)
Upon Jesus’ arriving at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to Him (Mk.8:22). Jesus took him by the handout of the village away from distractions. With some spittle on his fingers, He began to heal the man’s blindness (Mk.823). Mark placed the miracle here after recounting the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees (Mk.8:12), and the partial blindness of Jesus’ own disciples (Mk.8:17-21). Unlike all the other healings of Jesus which were instantaneous, the man could only see men – like trees walking around (Mk.8:24). Jesus again touched his eyes and his sight was restored, and he began to see everything clearly (Mk.8:25). Jesus warned the healed man not to return to the village. He wanted to avoid a stampede of people seeking healing.
Q.2. Where did Jesus take His disciples? What did He ask His them? What had His disciples concluded? How did Jesus surprise them? Why did He rebuke Peter? – (Mk.8:27-33)
Jesus then took His disciples to the upper reaches of the Jordan River to Caesarea Philippi (Mk.8:27). It was about thirty kilometres north of the Sea of Galilee and well away from the crowds. That allowed Jesus some private time with His disciples. He questioned them – Who do people say that I am? (Mk.8:27). They reported that some thought He was John the Baptizer, others Elijah, and some considered Him one of the prophets (Mk.8:28). He queried them further – But who do you say that I am? (Mk.8:29). Peter then confessed – You are the Christ (Mk.8:29). Mark records that Jesus forbad them to tell anyone about His identity (Mk.8:30). If this came as a surprise, what He said next was unimaginable when – 31 He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And He was stating the matter plainly … (Mk.31-32). Peter rebuked Jesus for suggesting such a thing (Mk.8:32). However – 33 But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” (Mk.8:33). Peter had verbalized what they all thought, and Mark seems to suggest that the rebuke was directed at all the disciples.
Q.3. Did Jesus make it easy to follow Him? What does it take? Why is it worth following Jesus? What did Jesus think about secret followers? – (Mk.8:34-38)
Mark went on to report on Christ’s teaching to the crowd and His disciples (MK.8:34). He did not make it easy to be a follower and declared – … If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me (Mk.8:34). Jesus would give up His life on the cross. However, we must understand that we must also carry a cross. We must be prepared to give up our lives for Christ and the Gospel (Mk.8:35). It is not worth it, to gain everything and lose your soul – 35 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? 37 For what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mk.8:35-37). There is no place for secret disciples – For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels (Mk.8:38).