Mark 8. I have been intrigued by the “emotion words” that Mark uses, the bits and pieces of text that reveal to us how Jesus was feeling as he interacted with people. In Mark chapter eight we see that Jesus has compassion on the crowd (8:2) as they have been listening to him for several days and there were no easy places for them to grab a quick bite to eat. He miraculously provides for the crowd again, as he did previously.

We also see Jesus’ frustration as the Pharisees came and began to argue with him… to test him (8:11). Jesus’ response is to sigh deeply in his spirit, and full of frustration with them he says, why??? There will be nothing for you hard-hearted people who are seeking only drama and conflict.

Most interestingly in this chapter, we see that Jesus is running a fine line between patient and frustrated with his own disciples. If you’re a parent, you know this feeling… You don’t want to be too hard on your kid, because they’re just a kid, but it sure would be helpful if they could get with the program a little bit faster!

The disciples forgot to bring bread on the journey, opps! And Jesus knows they are discussing how to solve the problem quietly on the side. He says, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand?… Having eyes do you not see? Having ears do you not hear? Do you not remember? (I fed the crowds miraculously twice!) Do you not yet understand?” (8;17-21). The answer is no – they do not yet understand who Jesus is and what he can do, even though they have witnessed so many miracles.

Then Jesus heals a blind man at Bethsaida (8:22-26). It’s a strange healing because Jesus does it in two stages. Why do you think that is? Surely Jesus could have healed him on the first try, but he does not. The reason is this: The two-stage healing of the blind man was a metaphor for the disciples own understanding of Jesus’ identity. Having eyes do you not see? As the blind man’s eyes were gradually opened, so the disciples understanding of Jesus’ identity was growing over time. The disciples understanding of Jesus was clarified in Peter’s declaration shortly thereafter. Who do you say that I am? You are the Christ (8:29). Ah, eyes wide open and he finally sees!

How is your understanding of who Jesus is and what that really means? Sometimes I feel like the man who was seeing things only dimly, as though it was not yet fully clear. I have witnessed the goodness of God, his intervention in my life, his miracles, and so much more. But I am still over here trying to figure out what to do about the proverbial bread shortage in my day, ha ha.

Oh Lord, open our eyes to see more of who you are, more of how much you love us, more of how good you are. Help us to come to you with open hearts, hungry to learn and to see and to follow.