Since Mark chapter 8, we have been exploring the second section of the Gospel of Mark, which is framed by two miracles where blindness is healed. The first miracle features a blind man who is healed in phases, symbolizing the gradual journey from spiritual blindness to spiritual sight.
Mark illustrates that this journey takes time, influenced by our own pride, which hinders us from recognizing who Christ truly is, as well as the Lord's gracious patience in revealing Himself to us. Leading up to today’s passage, Peter has been open with us, exposing his prideful heart and demonstrating how Christ calls us to lay down our pride in order to see Him clearly.
Mark’s account emphasizes that Jesus is the Son of God, and recognizing this truth demands a response. The response Jesus seeks from us, as we will see today, is humility. Yet, we often fall short in our response. We tend to place ourselves in the center of focus and must humbly step aside so that Christ can be the primary focus.
As the Psalmist says in Psalm 25:9: "He leads the humble in what is right and teaches the humble His way." By removing ourselves from the spotlight and adopting a humble posture towards the Lord, we allow Him to take the focus, and in doing so, He teaches and leads us in His way.
In this journey from spiritual blindness to spiritual sight in the middle of Mark, there are three distinct sections. Each section includes Jesus predicting His death and resurrection, followed by teachings that address the revelations occurring in the hearts of the disciples. Jesus declares that He is the Son of God who has come to die, and in all three instances, the disciples expose the sin in their hearts that obstructs their understanding of what Jesus is trying to convey. In each case, this sin causes them to focus on themselves rather than on Christ.
In His patience, Jesus continues to teach them lessons that directly address the sinful attitudes they reveal.
