LENTEN READINGS AND REFLECTIONS

DAY 7

Reading: Mark 5:22-9:13

The middle chapters of Mark's Gospel have a great deal to do with sight.

The disciples are blind to Jesus' true mission. At first they do not know who he is. They have their suspicions but they do not know for certain.

Is Jesus the Messiah or is he merely another prophet?

But even when Peter, by God's grace, finally gets it right and sees and declares that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, he still doesn't quite get it, he still doesn't see clearly.

In chapter 8 Jesus heals a blind man. When Jesus first touches his eyes, he sees, but his sight is not clear. Jesus touches him again and he sees clearly.

The disciples, after Peter's confession are like that blind man. They see that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of God, but they do not understand what that means. They still dream of palaces and thrones. They cannot or will not see the shadow of the cross despite Jesus' forewarnings.

But that is not all they miss. Jesus takes Peter James and John to a mountain where he is “transfigured” before their eyes. What does it mean to be transfigured?

It is somewhat different than being transformed.

To be transformed is to be substantially changed in some way. But to be transfigured is to have your appearance change.

In this case the glory of God the Son, the majestic beauty of Christ that had been hidden is suddenly revealed. The veil is pulled back. For a moment three disciples see Jesus as he really is, Lord of Heaven and Earth.

All of this leads me to wonder about our own blindness.

How often do we fail to see Christ's hand in our lives? How often do we miss the blessings that he pours out on us daily? How often do we fail to recognize the cross he's calling us to bear? How often do we saunter casually through our prayers, worship, and time in his word, missing the glory and beauty of the Son of God?

Home  Sermons Contact Us  Links  Last Week's Article