MARK - My Words (9)

 

In Dalmanutha the leaders got together to challenge Jesus.  They demanded that Jesus demonstrate his power in front of them.  Jesus was dismayed.  He knew that their intention was mendacious. “Let’s leave” he said to his friends, and they moved on somewhere else.

As the friends crossed the lake they realised they had brought very little food.  “Ah” said Jesus, “watch out when people offer you delicious food.”  The friends were arguing over who should have bought the food.  Jesus was exasperated.  “What do I have to do to open your eyes?  Your hearts are hard, your ears are closed and you see nothing!  Remember how much there was left over when we fed the people, not once but twice?  So much more is going on here.  Stop worrying about one loaf of bread.”

When they arrived at Bethsaida, people brought a blind man to him and begged him to restore his sight.  Jesus took the man away from the people on his own.  Then spitting in the man’s eyes, he laid his hands on him and asked if anything had happened.  The man looked around, “Yes” he said, “I can see people moving about, but they look vague; like moving trees?  Jesus asked for the Creator to restore his sight, and the man said he could now see.  Jesus suggested he went back home by a back alley to avoid the sensation seekers.

The next village was called Caesarea Philippi.  Jesus asked his friends what the people thought of him.  “Some people think you are John the Baptist come back to life.  Other say that you are Elijah, returned to help us.”

“But who do you say I am?” he asked his friends.  Peter immediately responded, “You are the one we were told would come and sort out all our problems.” 

“You’re correct” Jesus said, “Keep it quiet for the moment.”

Jesus began to explain what was going to happen to him.

“As Peter said correctly, we know that the one to sort out people’s mess must suffer terrible things.  That person will be killed by the ruling authorities, but only die for three days as he will be brought back to life.” 

Peter took Jesus aside and scolded him for talking this way.  “Oh Peter”, said Jesus, “Don’t let evil ways cloud your vision! See from the perspective of the Creator.”

Then Jesus called all the people together.  “If you want to bless me, then you must turn your back on selfish ways.  You must be prepared to suffer hardship.  If you strive for a comfortable secure life, you will be disappointed.  But if you give up everything you have, putting me first, you will gain the most precious thing in the world.  What do you gain if you have material wealth, but no soul?  Is there anything worth more than meaning in life?  If anyone is ashamed of following what is good, then that shame will cling to them, even as the one who is sent returns to the Creator.”

Let us avoid the pointless battle.  Everything the Creator wants is 'good'.  Here we are living our lives as if comfort and security were the overriding needs.  No need for that.  There is a so much more exciting way to live. It starts from understanding our destiny.  We are friends with the one who has come to suffer, but also to sort out suffering.  Peter understood that a wonderful thing was happening; but he was not so keen on the idea of suffering.  Amen to that brother!