And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”
Comment: I have never before imagined why this blind man had to wait the stages which Jesus made him wait before he could see clearly. Why was it a staged event? Maybe it is only part of the answer. but as it follows immediately in Mark’s gospel (without a date and a time, but next) I think that it is a statement on the previous devotional. The 1. Pharisees were blind, 2. the disciples weren’t seeing clearly, 3. but Jesus wants them to see clearly. Is this fanciful or is Jesus a Master Teacher. The next bit follows on, still I think very important in many ways but also a comment on where the disciples needed to be in their understanding.
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?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.
Comment: Why did Jesus press the disciples to acknowledge Him as the Christ, the Messiah? That is because that is who He is! He’s an indicator that the Christ is coming (John the Baptist); He is not amongst the greatest of the Prophets (Elijah); He is not just a prophet He is the Christ (the Messiah of the Living God)! But why did Jesus say ‘And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.‘? I think Jesus said there is enough evidence around already, you’d be just wasting your time. There is enough evidence out there for them to ‘open their eyes’!
Two Proverbs today – Proverbs 1:7: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction”. But this is soon followed by Proverbs 2:6: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction”.
Prayer: Help me to open my eyes wide to see Your true Glory Lord Jesus!
As I read it! 