Throughout the final parts of Jesus’ Galilean ministry (i.e., chapters 8-10), there are many stories of people being given sight. In this account, it seems puzzling at first that the man did not receive sight immediately, but that it instead took two ‘attempts’ by Jesus. Surely Jesus could have healed him immediately? What is happening here? Well, at very least, this healing acts as a parallel to what is occurring more broadly in people’s recognition of Jesus.

Having healed the blind man and now moving onto the villages around Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asks Peter, “Who do people say I am?”. There were of course many ideas - some said John the Baptist, others said Elijah, still others said one of the prophets. Often we’re comfortable in sharing what other people think, but Jesus now totally surprises Peter, asking, “But what about you - who do you say I am?”. The disciples have been following Jesus for some time, but they are only beginning to see with a clarity who Jesus is! Peter answers with an amazing clarity that Jesus is the Messiah! However, it’s reasonable to suspect that he still was only beginning to see clearly what this means.

Recognising the truth of who Jesus is, sometimes take time to sink in. Sometimes, we can readily see who Jesus is, but the truth of that has not yet taken hold of our heart. We need to keep looking to Jesus, keeping our hearts open to Jesus, and keep confessing exactly who we believe Jesus to be. AL

Questions

Prayer

Gracious Father, thank you for the truth of who Jesus is. Please help us by your word and your Spirit to see who Jesus truly is, that we may sincerely confess him as Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.