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Gospel of Mark

Coming Down from the Mountain: Mark 9:14-18

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Coming Down from the Mountain

14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. 16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. 17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”

Mark 9:14-18

See also ‘Only Believe’ Mark 9:14-29

14th November 2024: Horsham

We join Peter, James and John, walking down from the mountain where the transfiguration of Jesus has just taken place. They have just witnessed the most extraordinary scene where, on the mountain, Jesus met with, and talked with, Moses and Elijah. They heard the voice of God affirming Jesus as His Son. It is difficult to imagine a greater ‘spiritual high’ than being present at that moment. Why would you ever want to come down from such a place.

‘But it is the very essence of life that we must come down from the mountain top.’
Wm Barclay: New Daily Bible Study, Gospel of Mark Kindle Ed Loc 4385

Jesus leads the way to this encounter with a child suffering from what looks very like epilepsy.

There is no greater example in the Gospels to demonstrate that, however attractive it might seem,  the spiritual high which will come from a prayerful encounter with Christ is not intended to bring us a permanent state of ecstasy.  We should hope that it is a moment through which the Holy Spirit will encourage, empower and energise us to continue in his service. Like every generation of his disciples, we are called to serve. We are called to follow in the steps of our Leader into the situation to which He has directed us, on the path which He has prepared for us, confident that He goes before us.

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Gospel of Mark

Transfiguration: Mark 9:2-12

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The Transfiguration of Jesus

2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) 7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” 8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant. 11 And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” 12 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected?

Mark 9:2-12

6th November, 2024: Horsham

Mark is giving an account of the progress of Jesus towards Jerusalem. Having been in the north, near Caesarea Philippi, he has led his disciples back to Galilee. After spending time in and around Capernaum, they continue south on the journey which will take them to Jerusalem.

The event which we call the transfiguration is, as far as we know, unique. It is certainly extraordinary. It is unlike any waking experience to which we can relate today. We can’t be surprised that a sceptic might assume this to be an account of a dream or hallucination, and so the presence of three named witnesses is important. They are the three disciples who are closest to Christ, James, John and Peter. It is a good moment to remind ourselves that the key source of the narrative of Mark’s Gospel is Peter himself. In that context, we can and should regard this scripture as a first hand witness account of the transfiguration.

The story appears in almost identical form in the gospels of Matthew and Luke.

The location of the transfiguration is widely debated. You can read the chronology of the journey to Jerusalem in two different ways. If Jesus was still near Caesarea Philippi it was probably Mount Hermon. If he had already moved south, it is likely that this was Mount Tabor, a few miles south west of the Sea of Galilee, not far from Nazareth.  We’ll never be sure and it’s not particularly important.

This extraordinary event shows Jesus, the former carpenter from a backwater town in Israel, is before our eyes transformed into the majestic Son of God, comfortable in the company of Moses, through whom the Law was given, and Elijah, chief amongst the prophets. Having taught his disciples about his impending suffering and death, their presence to witness this event on the mountain top gives them a foretaste of future glory.  It speaks to the glorious return of the Messiah at the second coming of Christ.

‘The first thing which demands our notice in these verses is the marvelous vision they contain of the glory which Christ and His people shall have at His second coming.’

Ryle: Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Mark: .129

The fear of the disciples is evident and understandable. Peter’s desire to build shelters reflects both his inadequate understanding of what was before him (we can’t blame him for that!) and perhaps speaks to the desire that this moment of glory would continue. Yet that is not to be.

‘Discipleship demands denying self, taking up a cross and following Him, and you cannot do that by selfishly staying on the mount of glory. There are needs to be met in the valley below.’

Warren Wiersbe: Be Diligent (Mark) Serving Others p107

In the same way, whilst we might hopefully experience moments of spiritual excitement, we must not forget that the ‘ high’ is not a permanent state. We need to be ready to come down from our personal mountain and get on with the task in hand.

The drama ends with the affirming voice of God, commanding that His disciples listen to Him. As quickly as it started, the scene is over. ‘Tell no-one,’ says Jesus, ‘until after my resurrection from the dead.

These three men could have little understanding of what they had witnessed, yet for them it was life changing, leaving them no doubt that Jesus was indeed the Son of Man, the Son of God, the Messiah. Like them, there is much here that we cannot rationally explain. Yet if we, like generations of disciples before us, pause and reflect, we too will see Jesus the man, transfigured, in dazzling white. We will sense the wonder of Moses and Elijah talking to the one we follow. We will recognise the awesome majesty of Jesus, and we will hear  the voice of God saying to us and all mankind, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” .

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Personal

Today’s the Day – US Election 2024

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5th November 2024: Horsham
Today’s the Day

5th November 2024. Potentially the most portentous days of my lifetime. Today’s the day. 164.3 million voters will determine who is to be the 47th President of the United States of America. The Senate and Congress are also up for grabs. This is a big deal. I am not American. This is a huge moment for us all.

In 2016, Donald J Trump pulled off an extraordinary and unexpected victory in the presidential elections. Back then, I wrote that the people of America are entitled to make their own choice. As  Britons and Europeans, I suggested, it is not our business to express a view on who they should elect as leader. I held that position in 2020. I still do so today.

However, we all have  a vested interest in the result. For generations, America has built and sustained a position of influence and leadership of the so called ‘free world’. As President, the winner of this election will wield extraordinary power at home. They will also  have a powerful influence on international politics and diplomacy across the world. That’s why the outcome of this election is momentous for us all.

In 2020 I reflected that the political elite in America have the responsibility to put forward candidates for President who will uphold the Constitution, serve as strong and effective leaders at home, and provide positive influence on the world stage. Again, I stand by those comments in 2024. Therein lies the problem. In 2024, as in 2016 and 2020 they have abjectly failed to do so.

The Reject – Biden

After the uncertainties of the 2016 – 2020 Trump presidency, the appointment of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States brought some reassurance to the world stage, but after 4 years he has become an extraordinarily unpopular leader at home. I think it’s difficult to overstate the level of his unpopularity amongst his electorate. His pubic persona is weak. His grasp on leadership is shaky. His health is visibly in decline. He has failed to adequately address the issue of the southern border. His performance on the world stage has done little to boost him at home or abroad. He has built a strong economy, yet seems unable to capitalise on that. Most Americans blame him for price hikes and inflationary pressure on household budgets. From outside America, his determination to stand for a second term of office looked like disastrous misjudgment, gifting the Trump campaign an undeserved and massive early boost.

The choice 
The choice facing the American people is stark.
Trump

Let’s be honest, Donald J Trump is a pretty easy target. He was not, is not and never shall be fit for the role of President. He is a habitual and brazen liar. He is a narcissist. He is a manipulator. He is a convicted felon. He is a misogynist. He is a failed business man.  He has polarised the nation. He is visibly cognitively challenged. These things are, or should be, disqualifying. Seen from anywhere outside the MAGA bubble which he inhabits in the US, his continued hold over American politics is inexplicable. His place as Republican candidate in this election is nothing short of obscene. He is not fit to lead America. I could go on, but frankly he doesn’t deserve further attention. He is dangerously unqualified to wield influence on the world stage.

Harris

In the US, Vice Presidents are not intended to make any particular impression on domestic politics. They are expected to remain in the background. They have little public profile. Kamala Harris has filled that role to perfection. Biden’s withdrawal from the race opened the door to the somewhat bizarre insertion of Harris as candidate (completely setting aside the system of Presidential primaries which had nominated Biden – not Harris). Harris was largely unknown at home and abroad. There’s no doubt that her arrival transformed and energised the Democrat campaign. As a highly experienced politician and a black female candidate she should be a great option. There was a huge ‘honeymoon’ bounce in her favour (driven as much as anything by a huge sigh of relief that Biden had stepped down), but it hasn’t been sustained. There is, or should be, much to recommend her, but perhaps not surprisingly, she has struggled to distance herself from what is views in America as the toxic political legacy of the Biden administration.

The End Piece

So here we are. 5th November 2024.  My views are largely as they were in 2016 and 2020. The fate of America rests with the American people and it doesn’t really matter what I think.

The failure of the American political elite to produce candidates who can serve as strong and effective leaders of America, and as positive influencers on the world stage, is consequential. The choice is bleak.

On one side, there is a disfunctional convicted felon with an appalling track record who appears to be in cognitive melt down. On the other,  a relatively unknown Democrat who is doubtless a person of great integrity but whose best known quality at home and abroad is that she is not Joe Biden. Sadly, that is a quality which she shares with her opponent.

The outcome of the election is uncertain. American or not, we have reason to be concerned. This is a potentially momentous day. Optimism is in short supply.

Of course, Kamala does have one additional quality which might yet save the day. She is not Donald J Trump. That may just be enough. Perhaps there is a small opportunity for optimism after all.

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Contemplative

Halloween – Samhain

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31st October 2024: Horsham

It’s that time of year again. Many of my Christian friends are grumbling. It’s Halloween.

There are probably one or two reasons for Christian’s to be uncomfortable about the way people celebrate Halloween – although many of my Christian friends struggle to articulate them. They make vague references to evil. Spiritual darkness. Meddling in the dark arts. I’m sure that there is a grain of truth here, but when we look at ‘mainstream’ Halloween practices in the UK, are things really that bad?

I have a ‘pagan’ friend (that’s how he identifies) who loves Halloween, although he prefers to call it Samhain (pronounced Sow-in as he reminds me). He loves to accuse the Church of hijacking this ancient Celtic festival.  For him, Halloween encourages a step back to our roots. It connects us to something which was celebrated in antiquity. It reminds him of the ‘old ways’ before Christian’s came along and imposed change on everyone and everything!

Again, there’s probably a grain of truth there somewhere. Be in no doubt, there is evidence to suggest that Samhain was a thing and was practised in many forms across Britain long before Christianity was introduced here. The Catholic festival of ‘All Hallows Day’ or ‘Allhallowtide’ from which the word ‘Halloween’ is derived, seems to have appeared on the scene in 7th Century Rome, and was celebrated on 13th May. It seems that in the 8th Century it was extended across the Catholic world (which would have included Britain) and the date was moved to 1st November. I’ve heard several theories, but perhaps not surprisingly, the reason for this change is uncertain and lost in antiquity. However,  it clearly did bring Allhallowtide into a space which had, for generations, been filled by the festival of Samhain. I haven’t actually seen any reliable evidence to suggest that the purpose of the change was to disrupt Samhain, but I have no doubt that it was used with enthusiasm across the country for exactly that!

I’m far from convinced that modern Halloween is, for most people, a return to ancient tradition. Pumpkins and trick or treat (as practised today) are recent innovations which owe more to American commercialism and the film industry than anything else. It seems to me that modern interpretations of Samhain culture and practices, on the other hand, owe more to nineteenth century romanticism and fantasy than they do to reliable historical sources.

So, let’s just take a breath. Small children in fancy dress. Decorated homes. Spooky fancy dress parties. Small children ‘trick or treating’. Gnarled and warty squashes or carved pumpkins on doorsteps and windowsills.  Ok, I abhor the use of single use plastics and the wasteful cultivation of millions of pumpkins to be casually discarded in a world where people are starving, but the pumpkin face in my coffee did make me smile (thank you #CostaHorsham), and none of these things seem to me to be inherently evil.

I’m not speaking up for Halloween, it seems to me that it is part of our culture and I wonder why we don’t embrace it more readily. This is, after all, the world into which we, as Christians, believe we have been called.

Halloween. Samhain. These festivals point towards the stuff of life.  Life. Death. Mortality. The supernatural. These things are part of life. People have questions about them. Surely this is fertile ground for the evangelical. Rather than looking as if we just want to stop people having a bit of fun, perhaps we should be looking for ways to help people to engage with these issues. We have a perspective to share, and we struggle to find the opportunity to share it. Maybe we should be a bit more grateful for a season which just might be the conversation starter we’ve been waiting for.

Just a thought.

Information links you might find helpful

Council for British Archaeology website

Halloween and Samhain  on the BBC website

History.com review of Samhain is here

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Gospel of Mark

Truly I tell you: Mark 9:1

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And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”

Mark 9:1

28th October 2024: Horsham

This passage is commonly misunderstood as implying that the end of time – the end of the world – would take place during the lifetime of some of the disciples. Jesus, some would like to say, got this bit wrong.

Not a bit of it! I want to suggest that this is a complete misreading of the words of Jesus.

I’m going to let NT Wright explain!

‘Jesus thinks, it seems, that the kingdom of God will come during the lifetime of some people present. It has been fashionable to take Mark 9:1 as a classic example of misplaced hope, with Jesus and the early Christians looking for the end of the space-time world and the establishment of a totally different existence. But that’s not what Jewish language like the good world that God made and loves.  Jesus seems to think that evil will be defeated and the kingdom will come, precisely through his own suffering and death.’

NT Wright: Mark for Everyone; p111

I read this passage as a prophecy in the words of Jesus. It is seen to come to pass in the lifetime of many who were present at the time it was given. With the death and resurrection of Christ, and following the death of one of the disciples (Judas Iscariot), we see the power of God break out in amazing and extraordinary ways, empowering the remaining disciples, exactly as prophesied by Jesus.

‘Till they see the kingdom of God coming with power – So it began to do at the day of Pentecost, when three thousand were converted to God at once.’

John Wesley: Ultimate Commentary on Mark, p2464

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

 

Gospel of Mark

When Jesus Comes into His Fathers Glory: Mark 8:38

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When Jesus comes into His Father’s Glory

38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels. 

Mark 8:38

22nd October 2024: Horsham

I don’t have any doubt as I read this that Jesus knew exactly where he was heading. He has already spoken about his death, but in these verses, it is clear that his sights go far beyond that. This is about ‘when he comes into his Father’s glory,’ clearly pointing towards his own return to heaven.

Jesus refers to an adulterous and sinful generation. He was referring to the culture of 1st Century Palestine. He could as easily be referring to our own. The message to his followers and disciples who lived in such a generation is simple. Be ashamed of me in this life, and I will have nothing to do with you in the next.

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Gospel of Mark

The Way of the Cross: Mark 8:34-37

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The Way of the Cross

34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life[b] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 

21st October 2024: Horsham, West Sussex

For those of us who think of ourselves as followers of Jesus, there’s some really important stuff here. It’s worth noting that Christ’s words appear in virtually identical form in Matthews Gospel (Matthew 16: 24-26).

You may remember that when discussing the greatest of commandments, Jesus affirms that the first is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind (Mark 12:30).

Without meaning to get too technical, there’s a Greek word psychēn. This word is variously translated into English as ‘life’ or ‘soul’. It sort of means the whole self. Heart, soul, strength and mind. The eternal self.

This is the word which is used several times in this passage.

You will lose your psychēn, says Jesus unless you give it to Christ, for the sake of the gospel. But if you give it to Him, you will gain it for eternity. This is the heart of the Gospel. Offer your life, your soul, your heart and your mind to Christ and you will receive salvation – eternal life.

The second part of this scripture (v36) seems to be out of step with our culture . Like us, the disciples lived in a materialistic world. They, like us, were expected to surround themselves valuable stuff. That would give them high status in their community. In material terms, ‘gaining the whole world‘ or at least as much of it as we can get, is exactly what society expects us to do.

Jesus has taught already that people around you are always going to be impressed by personal wealth and possessions, but before God, such things are meaningless.

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 9:19-24)

Nowhere does Scripture suggest that following Jesus will lead to riches or an easy ride. Nowhere does Scripture suggest that following Jesus will be easy. On the contrary, he says standing up for Him is likely to be a tough path (John 15:18-19), and generations of saints testify that this is the case.  But that’s the path you are to follow.

Never forget that even today, around the world, followers of Jesus are suffering pain and hardship every day. In too many cases, they face  even torture and death as the price for following Jesus.

The disciples lived in a challenging culture, and in terms of your faith, so do you. Following Jesus has always meant being different. Deny yourself,  stand out from the cultural norm – be different. Don’t lose your life by constantly pursuing material wealth and high status. Rather pick up each day whatever cross he has given you to carry. Give yourself wholly to Him. Fix your eyes on Christ (Hebrews 12:1-2). Follow  confidently wherever Christ takes you. Listen to his words and put them into practice. Allow Christ to shape your identity and the way that you live your life. Heart, soul, mind and strength. Your whole being. Your psychēn.

This is what it means to follow Jesus. This is the Way of the Cross.

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Gospel of Mark

Jesus Predicts His Death (First Time): Mark 8:31-33

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Jesus Predicts His Death

31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

18th October 2024: Horsham

The contemporary expectation of the Messiah was pretty straightforward. You can write it like a list of objectives.

  1. Rebuild and cleanse the Temple in Jerusalem
  2. Defeat the enemies of Israel – Get rid of the Roman occupiers
  3. Establish the Kingdom of God, with Israel at the heart of the Kingdom

In Mark’s narrative, this conversation happens immediately after Peter has made his extraordinary declaration that Jesus is the Christ – the Messiah. There’s a huge contrast between the two cameos.

Try to see this snippet of conversation from Peter’s perspective. He’s grown up and lived in a society which had this clear expectation of what the Messiah would deliver. It would have been constantly affirmed in synagogue teaching.

‘Messiah at this point is not about divinity. It is about the saving King of Israel.’ (NT Wright)

Peter has just declared that he believes Jesus is the Messiah, so his expectations are high. It would have seemed very strange to him and the other disciples that, rather planning for earthly victory, Jesus is teaching about the inevitability of his own violent death at the hands of the leaders of Israel.

In that context, you might be able to see why Peter takes Jesus to one side and sort of rebukes him.  Jesus has done extraordinary miracles. As Messiah, he can do anything. He only needs to say the word and can assume supreme power and authority to rule Israel and conquer the entire world. That’s what the Messiah would do. Right?

Jesus is teaching that his path leads to the cross. Peter is pointing out to Jesus that his violent death is not inevitable. There is another way. A better way, surely?

I wonder whether you remember a moment, some years earlier, at the start of his ministry when Jesus was taken to a very high mountain and invited to look down on all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour.

‘All this I will give you if you bow down and worship me!’ (Matthew 4:9)

Jesus knows the path which God has set before him. It is a deeply challenging path. Jesus must resist all human temptation to deviate from God’s plan. Perhaps Christ’s words are directed not at Peter, but at the one who is really behind this temptation. His message is  the same as it was when he was tempted with that promise in the wilderness directly by Satan himself. The verb used is the same.

‘Get away from me Satan!’

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Gospel of Mark

Peters Confession of Christ: Mark 8:27-30

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Peters Confession of Christ

27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” 30 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.

Mark: 8:27-30

17th October 2024: Horsham

The purpose of Mark’s Gospel is to present Jesus as the Son of God. Mark wants you, the reader, to see who Jesus is, and to respond.

There have been a number  of points already when Mark has shown us Jesus in conflict with the religious leaders of his day. There were argument because Jesus healed of a man with a withered hand in the synagogue on the sabbath. There were the Pharisees, grumbling at the front of the crowd when Jesus forgave the sins of a paralytic. Most recently in Mark’s gospel, Jesus confronted the Pharisees and Sadducees on the shores of Galilee when they demanded a sign of his Lordship. The Jewish leaders, Herod Antipas, the Romans and everyone else is taking a view on who Jesus is. Each time, as he relates these stories, it’s as if Mark is saying, what about you? Which side are you on? What do you think about this? In these verses, it’s happening again!

it would be normal for a rabbi to teach as they walked along, and at this point in the story,  our group of followers have walked a long way. Jesus has taken the disciples on a journey, leading them north, beyond the borders of Israel, to the Mediterranean cities of Tyre and Sidon, and then inland, to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. Jesus was probably teaching the disciples in preparation for his death.

Whilst there would have been some Jews living in the region, this was a largely pagan area under Greek / Roman influence with temples dedicated to Baal, and the Greek god Pan. Against this background of disbelief and spiritual darkness, Jesus asks the disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ (v27).

Most people, they say, thought Jesus was something pretty special. Some said John the Baptist. That’s a bit strange, because John been alive at the same time as Jesus, but had been recently murdered by  Herod. The idea that he had somehow been resurrected would be deeply troubling to Herod and everyone else.  Some other people say he is Elijah. Elijah was the greatest of Old Testament prophets, and it was thought that his return would herald the coming of the Messiah. Again, the assumption that Christ was a resurrected prophet, and not just any prophet. Elijah was a huge character in the Old Testament and his return was said to precede the arrival of the Messiah. Others again thought he was one of the prophets of old. All of these suggest that Jesus is resurrected. None of them suggest he is viewed as a magician or a charlatan.

‘What about you?’ says Jesus, ‘Who do you say that I am.’ Peter’s response is massive. Thee disciples may have suspected it. They may even have talked in whispers about it. But this is the moment, the first moment, when anyone says it out loud.

‘You are the Christ.’ Peter declares that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah.

Jesus response is simple. This is dynamite. Let’s keep it between ourselves – for now.

End Piece

‘This passage’, says NT Wright, ‘is really the centre-point, the turning point, of Mark’s gospel.‘ From this point, Jesus and his disciples head south, back towards Capernaum and the Sea of Galilee where his public ministry has been focused. He will spend some time there, but their journey will continue on, beyond Galilee, towards Jerusalem, towards the cross.

As I said at the top of this piece, the purpose of Mark’s Gospel is to present Jesus as the Son of God. He wants you to see that, and to respond to it.

So, answer the questions. In your culture – in your world, who do people say that Jesus is? If you ask around, the answers might surprise you.

Mark doesn’t want you to stop there, and neither does Jesus. They want your response. Allow Jesus to look directly into your eyes as he asks the question.

What about you? ‘Who do you say that I am?‘ (v30)

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Gospel of Mark

Blind Man at Bethsaida: Mark 8:22-26

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Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida

22 They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23 He 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?” 24 He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”

25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into the village.”

16th October 2024: Horsham

Medical experts would love to be able to deliver immediate relief to their patients. In reality, it rarely happens like that, and there are circumstances where, to avoid complications, significant changes need to be managed over a period of time.

In these verses I see  Jesus serving in the style of a caring doctor, completely focused on and responding to the needs of the individual  patient. The restoration of sight after a lengthy period of profound blindness is a big deal – it takes time to adapt – it will be a shock to the system. Before healing him, the man is taken by the hand and gently led to a quiet place, away from public gaze to help him cope with the healing process. At the touch of Jesus, his sight is partially restored. Perhaps there is a pause while the man explores partial vision, before Jesus touches him a second time and completely restores his sight.

The power and authority of Jesus is, in this case, applied with compassion and gentleness, in a gradual way which perfectly meets the needs of the individual. It makes sense that Jesus says to him, ‘Don’t even go into the village.’ For some time, probably for years, he has been unable to work or look after himself, reduced almost certainly to begging. He needs some time alone to adjust to this life changing healing.

End Piece

So, what are we learning here?

Here we see Jesus meeting someone at his point of need. There are other examples where Christ simply speaks healing over someone and it is done (Mark 2:3-12). Sometimes, Christ is in a completely different place from the patient, yet the miracle is immediate and complete (Luke 7:1-10). Sometimes, such as the healing of Jairus’ daughter, there is a physical touch (Mark 5:35-43). For the woman with a hemorrhage, it was enough to simply touch in faith the corner of Jesus cloak (Mark 5:25-34).

In this passage, we’re learning that whilst we all long to see immediacy of healing, the healing of Christ may come gradually or in  stages.

Every healing in Scripture is unique. Every one of Jesus’ healings is perfectly tailored to the needs of the individual.

‘It is well to remember, in reading passages of this kind, that the Lord is not tied to the use of any one means.’
JC Ryle: Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Mark, p119

Whether offering healing, reconciliation or conversion, the Lord does it in his own way. Your experience will be different from mine. Every experience is unique, but all have this in common. Whether or not it looks or feels like it, it will always be the right experience for that  individual.

‘God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform.’ 

William Cowper, 1774

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK