Today’s Reading: Matthew 16:21-28; Mark 8:22-26, 8:31-9:1; Luke 9:21-27; Psalm 147

When they arrived in Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and they begged him to touch him. Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then, spitting on the man’s eyes, he laid his hands on him and asked, “Can you see anything now?”

The man looked around, “Yes,” he said, “I see people, but I can’t see them very clearly. They look like trees walking around.”

Then Jesus placed his hands on the man’s eyes again, and his eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly. Jesus sent him away, saying, “Don’t go back into the village on your way home.” – Mark 8:22-26

Jesus led the blind man out of the village in order to heal him, but mostly to set up a much needed conversation with his disciples. Things were intensifying all around them and he wanted them to be aware of what was ahead.

SPEAKING PLAINLY

Jesus knew that the disciples’ understanding was blurry, just like the man’s vision. He had taken them from complete darkness to a fuzzy understanding. Now it was time to speak plainly. Now it was time for Jesus to reveal to them what was ahead.

Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead. As he talked about this openly with his disciples, Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things.

Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded Peter. “Get away from me, Satan!” he said. “You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” – Mark 8:31-33

Peter’s intentions were good. He responded from a heart that loved Jesus and was willing to protect him from those who were plotting against him. But that kind of well-intended reaction was not going to help Jesus prepare for what was ahead, and it certainly was not going to help Peter. He needed to give up his own way and see the upcoming events from God’s point of view.

Perhaps this is where many of us struggle the most. Perhaps it is the submission of my own understanding that causes my faith to grow the most. I must trust the wisdom of a magnificent and caring God, even when the outcomes around me do not make sense.

GOD IS CALLING US TO GIVE UP OUR OWN WAY AND SUBMIT TO HIS.

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels. I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God.” – Luke 9:23-27

My prayer for all of us is that God would reveal much to us today. I pray that God will help us to see beyond our limited, human point of view to His heavenly perspective. I pray for moments today when we are reminded of whom we serve and how powerful He is. No situation or circumstance is too big for Him.

How great is our Lord! His power is absolute!
His understanding is beyond comprehension! – Psalm 147:5

Heavenly Father, give us eyes to see beyond our human point of view and increase our understanding of how things look from YOUR perspective. Give us the strength to daily take up our cross and follow you; give us the courage to live out our faith unashamedly. We love you and we trust you today. Amen.