The Christ And A Glimpse Of His Glory
Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida
22 And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24 And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” 25 Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”
Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ
27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” 30 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.
Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection
31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
9 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”
The Transfiguration
2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” 8 And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.
9 And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. 11 And they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 12 And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? 13 But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”
22 And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24 And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” 25 Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”
Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ
27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” 30 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.
Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection
31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
9 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”
The Transfiguration
2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” 8 And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.
9 And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. 11 And they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 12 And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? 13 But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”
Still Can't see
This remarkable account of Jesus healing a blind man progressively is noteworthy in light of the context. The disciples have continually been depicted as spiritually obtuse and blind (4:40; 6:49–50; 7:18; 8:17–21). However, we can take encouragement from realizing that Christ never ceases perfecting believers (Phil 1:6). Even if someone appears to be an irredeemable wreck, there is always hope because the Lord continues working on them.
Jesus and his disciples arrive in Bethsaida to a pleading crowd who implores him to heal the blind man. Following their request, Jesus takes hold of the man's hand and leads him outside town before spitting on his eyes. He then lays his hands upon him, inquiring whether he can see anything. The man responds that though he still cannot clearly distinguish people, they appear like distant trees walking around in circles. Jesus gently places his hands over the man's eyes again, and this time, his sight is restored (8:25). He instructs him not to pass through town (8:26).
Jesus and his disciples arrive in Bethsaida to a pleading crowd who implores him to heal the blind man. Following their request, Jesus takes hold of the man's hand and leads him outside town before spitting on his eyes. He then lays his hands upon him, inquiring whether he can see anything. The man responds that though he still cannot clearly distinguish people, they appear like distant trees walking around in circles. Jesus gently places his hands over the man's eyes again, and this time, his sight is restored (8:25). He instructs him not to pass through town (8:26).
The Christ
When Jesus arrived at the northern town of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his apostles two essential questions: Who do people believe He is? And Who do you say I am? Faith is always personal. Peter's declaration, "You are the Christ," is incredible. He believes that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah. Although this statement may be expected to bring about celebration, Jesus insists on secrecy. Rather than considering his coronation, Jesus declares that the Son of man must endure suffering. He will be rejected by those who should have accepted him and even killed.
Nevertheless, after three days, he shall arise once more. Disillusioned by Jesus' seemingly impending death, Peter firmly believes that the Messiah was meant for more than a premature demise. He speaks up and is opposed by his Lord; Peter's suggestion of an earthly kingdom corresponds to Satan's attempts at thwarting God's plan.
Nevertheless, after three days, he shall arise once more. Disillusioned by Jesus' seemingly impending death, Peter firmly believes that the Messiah was meant for more than a premature demise. He speaks up and is opposed by his Lord; Peter's suggestion of an earthly kingdom corresponds to Satan's attempts at thwarting God's plan.
Denied
Jesus continued to discuss the coming suffering and death that he would endure. He made it clear to his disciples that they, too, must make sacrifices and prepare themselves for hardships ahead. Jesus proclaims that his disciples must accept the hardships of following him and surrender everything. The world may view them as foolish, yet their devotion will be generously rewarded with life everlasting in heaven.
Glory And The Cloud
After six days, Peter, James, and John experienced first-hand Jesus' glory. They witnessed an incredible sight of him conversing with Moses and Elijah. A cloud descended upon them, signifying God's presence before His voice boomed from above, declaring, "This is my beloved Son; listen to him." Peter desperately wants to stay, so he suggests building tents. However, Moses and Elijah soon depart—leaving Jesus to continue the journey toward Jerusalem and the crucifixion.
As they descended the mountain, Jesus's disciples pondered if Elijah would return to announce the coming of the Messiah. Yet, He clarified that John the Baptist had already fulfilled this role and warned them about what would soon happen to him. They were cautioned not to tell anyone they had seen until after Jesus was resurrected. By discussing this topic before beginning the journey towards Jerusalem, Jesus was preparing them for what would soon unfold: his crucifixion at the hands of those who refused to accept him as their Lord and Savior. Though it seems evident to us today, the disciples were confused.
As they descended the mountain, Jesus's disciples pondered if Elijah would return to announce the coming of the Messiah. Yet, He clarified that John the Baptist had already fulfilled this role and warned them about what would soon happen to him. They were cautioned not to tell anyone they had seen until after Jesus was resurrected. By discussing this topic before beginning the journey towards Jerusalem, Jesus was preparing them for what would soon unfold: his crucifixion at the hands of those who refused to accept him as their Lord and Savior. Though it seems evident to us today, the disciples were confused.
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