The interrelatedness of our reading from Mark is fascinating to me. First we read of Jesus healing a blind man (Mark 8:22-26). Oddly, the first attempt at healing is only partially successful. The man could see, but not fully. People looked like “trees walking” (v. 24). But when Jesus “put his hands on his eyes again…[the man’s] sight was restored and he saw everything clearly” (v. 25).
Next Mark relates a conversation about Jesus’ identity. Though the crowds around him have a number of guesses as to who Jesus is, Peter is able to correctly answer, “You are the Messiah” (v. 29). But as it turns out Peter’s “vision” is not quite as clear as it seems. When Jesus begins to talk about what lies ahead of him Peter objects (v. 32b). Peter can only grasp Jesus’ identity about as clearly as a man who sees “trees walking.” He and the other followers still have much to learn about discipleship, about God’s will, about the nature of their own faith and where it will take them. Their spiritual eyes are not fully open. Not until the events of Holy Week will Peter and the others finally begin to “see,” to understand what Jesus was talking about.
We may marvel at the lack of comprehension that the disciples showed, but we have the advantage of living well after the resurrection. We know how the story goes. And still we do not fully acknowledge Jesus’ identity. If we did we would make better decisions, interact with one another more lovingly, support the community of faith more generously, live more righteously. As it is, our “vision,” like that of Peter, is still blurred by the expectations of the world, by our own sinfulness, by our unwillingness to let go of our possessions and rely on God.
The good news is that just as in the case of the blind man Jesus is still at work helping us to see. Our vision is not yet crystal clear, but by God’s grace it is getting better and better. And like Paul’s reflection in 1 Corinthians 13, the mirror may be dim now, but in God’s time we will finally see face to face.
Prayer: Lord, open our eyes that we may see, and clear from our vision all that blinds us to your will and your way. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment