“11 The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. 12 He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.” 13 Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.”
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“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.”
27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”
28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”
29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”
30 Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.”
* Ever wondered why on many other occasions Jesus asked people he had healed not to tell anyone? … I have!
* Why was it Jesus asks the disciples who he is … was he having an identity crisis?
I think this passage is revealing… it suggests perhaps Jesus is more interested in us discovering who he is than what he can do?
It’s a subtle difference as much of what Jesus does is who He is … but … nevertheless appears to be an important difference!
The Pharisees demand a sign from Jesus and he refuses … yet a little while later some people bring a blind man and ask Jesus to perform a miracle and restore the mans sight … with compassion Jesus does it.
In that moment the man discovered Jesus is compassion & He is love.
Later Jesus asks the disciples who do you say I am? … They had been privileged with a ringside view of Jesus ministry up until that point, they had responded to Jesus’ “come follow me” Is Jesus questioning if they have got “it” yet … or … is he worried if they’ve heard the “rumours/gossip” … Or is he interested in initiating conversation that leads to them discovering Him rather than His ministry?
Of course the freedom, the healing, the truth, & life are all bi-products of discovering Him … but it would seem there are those, who like the Pharisees, make the mistake of pursuing the proof, the signs and wonders & the spectacular, the bi-products primarily.
In fact later in Mark 8 Jesus warns that those who pursue life as their primary concern will never gain it.
May we pursue & discover Jesus for who He is, love, compassion, truth, freedom & so much more.