Pivot Point in Mark

Just before Jesus and his disciples went to the villages around Caesarea Philippi, Jesus restores sight to a blind man. It’s an amazing miracle. The blind man’s eyes and optic nerves are healed! God’ kingdom breaks through. It’s a taste of Shalom.

Except … there’s a twist. Usually, Jesus heals immediately with a word or a touch. Not this time.

When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”

He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” Mark 8:23–24 (NIV)

It’s amazing. From seeing nothing to seeing people like trees is a big improvement. I suspect many people who are completely blind would be grateful for even that much sight.

But Jesus isn’t done. Jesus’ goal is for him to have 20:20 vision.

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. Mark 8:25 (NIV)

Maybe you read this and moved on. 2-step healing? No big deal

Maybe you’re very inquisitive. What’s happening here? Did Jesus have an off day or is something more going on?

It was at least 10 y ago; I heard a sermon on this passage. My colleague highlighted the 2-step healing. He suggested Jesus healed with 2 steps to make a point. The blind man’s growing vision mirrored the growing vision among Jesus’ disciples.

Reading Mark’s gospel, we’ve seen Mark raise the question of Jesus’ identity. Who is Jesus? Who do people say Jesus is?

Earlier Mark told us King Herod’s theory: Herod figured that Jesus is John the Baptist, raised from the dead.

In today’s Bible reading, Jesus asks his disciples. They’re on the road from Bethsaida, hiking north towards Caesarea Philippi. That’s when Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do people say I am? … But what about you? Who do you say I am?”

It’s a key moment in Mark’s gospel. Mark already told us that he believes Jesus is the Messiah. He introduces his work

The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, Mark 1:1 (NIV)

But this Q&A on the road is a dramatic moment. Jesus’ disciples listened to Jesus teach and watched him heal and drive out demons for months, maybe years.

They didn’t just watch: As part of Jesus’ teaching, disciples were authorized to go and tell of God’s kingdom, to heal, and to drive out impure spirits. After all these experiences, what’s their conclusion? Who do they say Jesus is?

It’s a beautiful moment. Peter blurts out his grand confession: “You are the Messiah.” In our context, that needs explanation:

English: Anointed One

Hebrew: Messiah

Greek: Christ

If you’re reading through the OT (some of you are working through the Bible, cover to cover) who is anointed in the OT?

Prophets, priests, and kings.

When Peter declares his conviction, “You are the Messiah,” the Anointed One, it’s a big statement.

The whole OT: Law, History, Wisdom Lit., and Prophets have set up the expectation God would fulfill his promise and rescue the world. God’s people in Jesus’ day were eagerly expecting:

a prophet greater than Moses, Elijah, or John the Baptist,

a high priest greater than Aaron, Eli, or the Maccabees,

a king greater than David, Solomon, or any Roman Emperor!

When Peter declares Jesus is the Messiah he is not yet referring to Jesus as the Son of God. He doesn’t see that yet.

But … what he has experienced has Peter convinced Jesus is the Messiah. That means, a good time for God’s people is right around the corner. G+O, O+D, T+I, M+E = GOOD TIME! They’ll celebrate the Messiah’s victories with greater festivities than anyone has seen for generations!

Isn’t that the message Jesus has proclaimed since he called Peter and Andrew to follow him? “The kingdom of God is coming!” Each parable and miracle makes Peter more sure that Jesus will roll on from victory to victory, taking Peter and the other disciples along towards the glory of the coming kingdom.

No wonder Peter is astounded at Jesus’ explanation of what’s coming next.

[Jesus] 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. Mark 8:31 (NIV)

Suffering and dying don’t sound like victory to Peter.

Peter and the other disciples don’t see clearly. Like the blind man after step 1 of his healing, Peter’s vision of Jesus’ glory and the kingdom of God is blurry. He can’t see that Jesus needs to be crucified and die on a tree.

In the sermon title, I called this the “pivot point” of Mark’s gospel. For the disciples and perhaps for some who read the gospel, they see something of Jesus and his mission. He’s the Messiah, but exactly what that means is still blurry.

On this hike to Caesarea Philippi is the first time Jesus talks to his disciples about being rejected, killed, and rising after 3 days. Suffering, dying and rising are details of being the Messiah that Jesus is going to describe again and again until it happens.

The new information about Jesus’ plan for victory doesn’t sit well with Peter. “Uh, Jesus, can you step over here a minute. Let me set you straight: Rejection and death don’t lead to the glory of the kingdom of God.”

Unwittingly, Peter is used by Satan to sidetrack Jesus from his mission. The tempter uses Peter to propose a different approach. It’s a temptation to disobey his heavenly Father.

No wonder Jesus reacts so strongly. He sees temptation in Peter’s words. That’s why, Jesus rebukes Peter for being a mouthpiece of Satan. Jesus is determined to obey his heavenly Father. He’s fulfill his role as Messiah, the anointed one.

As prophet, Jesus has been ordained by his Father and anointed with the HS to teach “the secret counsel and will of God concerning our deliverance.”

He teaches about God’s holiness and justice, never shying way from the reality that sin will be punished with death

It’s uncomfortable, because as Jesus unpacks God’s instructions for righteousness, it becomes clear: I don’t live up to God’s standards. You judge your success for yourself.

Jesus is unique as a prophet. Not only does he bring God’s word, he demonstrates righteous thoughts, words, and deeds even though he lives in a sin-stained world. He loves God and his neighbour 100%!

As high priest, Jesus has been ordained by his Father and anointed with the HS to “deliver us by the one sacrifice of his body.”

He is both 100% God and 100% human! Perfectly positioned to be the mediator between God and humankind.

Already in Mark’s gospel we’ve heard the religious leaders’ plans to kill Jesus. Aware of those plans, Jesus heads to Jerusalem, ready to suffer and to be crucified. At the cross, God the Father puts all the punishment for sin on Jesus. He dies to atone for human sin. Jesus is both the priest and the sacrifice.

As our eternal king, Jesus has been ordained by his Father and anointed with the HS to “govern us by his Word and Spirit, to guard us, and to keep us in the freedom he has won for us.”

For Mark, and many of the NT authors, Jesus’ glory as King is most vividly displayed on the cross. Mark’s whole gospel builds to describe the cross as the place where Jesus won the victory over sin and evil. Evil forces threw everything they could at the Messiah, yet Jesus endured, showing love for his neighbours by enduring terrible suffering.

3 days later, he rose from the grave, demonstrating that sin and death have been defeated. In Jesus’ resurrection, all who believe in him are raised to life; eternal life with God and for God, keeping us in the freedom he has won for us.

40 days after his resurrection, Jesus ascended to heaven, where he is seated at the right hand of God the Father as Lord and King over all creation.

Peter is right. Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ. The trouble is, at this point, Peter doesn’t know what the Messiah must endure to rescue his people. It’s a while before Peter and the other disciples see Jesus clearly as the Messiah, the Son of God.

Mark’s gospel was written 20-30 years after these events. By that time, the gospel has spread to the ends of the world. The apostle Peter helped spread the good news of Jesus’ victory.

Mark heard Peter preach. Mark heard Peter’s stories of following Jesus. He heard Peter recount Jesus’ parables and describe his miracles. Mark’s gospel shaped by Peter’s stories.

Mark is a powerful author and preacher. As Jesus talks along the road, asking his disciples, “Who do people say I am?” it raises the question for the readers.

Who do people say Jesus is?

It’s one of the interesting scenes in the Alpha video series. They take a microphone and camera on streets around the world and ask people, “Who is Jesus?” Their answers and facial expressions are fascinating.

As you’d imagine, not many people today say Jesus is John the Baptist.

A lot of people are willing to say Jesus is a prophet, a great teacher, a great man, a key figure in history.

Neither Mark nor Jesus will let you say what others think without pressing you a little further. HS prompts your to respond. Your answer to this question might be the pivot point in your life.

What about you?

Who do you say Jesus is?