21  So He said to them, "How is it you do not understand?" 22 Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. 23  So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything. 24  And he looked up and said, "I see men like trees, walking." 25  Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. 26  Then He sent him away to his house, saying, "Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town." Cf 10:52 

27  Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, "Who do men say that I am?" 28  So they answered, "John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets." 29  He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered and said to Him, "You are the Christ." 30  Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him. 31  And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

32  He spoke this word openly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33  But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, "Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."

I. We don’t always see the whole picture at first but we need additional time with Christ until we see clearly

The Disciples progressively understood that Jesus was an authenticated prophet, the Messiah, and the greatest High Priest (resurrection).

A. In Mark 8 (eyes partially seeing) they understand that He is the Messiah, but fail to grasp that sacrificial service is the route to glory.

B. In between the two accounts of blind eyes being opened, Jesus corrects misconceptions about power (security/significance), pleasure & possessions.

C. In Mark 10:44 (Bartimaeus; then Palm Sunday Mk 11 ) they hopefully see it: "And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

II. Our RESPONSE to our perception of Jesus is the most significant thing about us

A. Prophet: Wise Teacher - giving insight into how to live and relate to others, so life works best (yet most ignore His teachings and example)

Jn 13:13  "You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14  "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15  "For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.

Lu 6:46  "But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?

B. Priest: Savior - who died for our sins, paying the penalty of death so we don’t have to. (Now what?)

Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Heb 2:17 in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18  For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

C. King: Lord - to be emulated and faithfully followed (dying daily) to death (and beyond)

Heb 2:10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

1Peter 3:17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

III. We have difficulty Responding to the claim Jesus has on our lives because we are shortsighted

God’s most stinging rebukes are for folks who cloud God’s purposes because of an earthly perspective (Satan’s will)

A. We need to trust in His goodness Mt 7:11  "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

B. We need to submit to His surgery Mt 5:30  "And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast [it] from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

C. We need to follow His therapy 1Jn 2:4  He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 6  He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Who do most people say Jesus is? Do they act in accord with that “belief”? What could help them get greater congruence?

2. Why do people not “see” Who Jesus is, and what He’s about? How does one get a more accurate perception of Christ?

3. What were the “things of men” that Peter was thinking of? What’s so bad about that?

4. What are some things the Great Surgeon would want to cut out of your life or add to your life so He can glorify Himself and  you?

5. What pieces of the Christian life do you need to see more clearly in order to please God? How will your vision become 20/20?