I know I'm going against the grain on this one, but hear me out. In Mark's gospel, when Jesus heals people, I believe it's meant to be symbolic. When the characters are ill, maimed, or possessed by demons, the problem is not that they are actually crippled. The problem is not that they actually have a withered hand. It's not that they actually have eyes that don't function properly. They have a spiritual problem. They don't believe that the Messiah's mission is to be crucified. But Jesus the Messiah will wear a king's crown to the cross. Jesus the Messiah will defeat the enemy by giving his life as a ransom for many.
Even Peter doesn't understand. His big gaffe in chapter 8 (the center of the book!) gets him into trouble. When Jesus explains to his disciples that he is going to suffer, he is going to be rejected, and be killed, what does Peter do? Peter "rebukes" Jesus. What? He rebukes Jesus? Rebuke - isn't that what Jesus does to demons? Jesus turns and rebukes Peter, calling him Satan. Really? Satan? Kind of harsh aint it, Jesus? It's harsh, I believe, because the author wants to make a point. Peter is ill, and this is an important moment. IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND AND BELIEVE THAT THE MESSIAH'S MISSION IS TO SUFFER AND DIE ON A CROSS!
The idea of a suffering Messiah would have been crazy to the Jews in first century Palestine. They were expecting a warrior, to lead them to a victorious battle against their oppressors. A messiah who is crucified by Rome is the opposite of what they were expecting. It must have been difficult for them to believe that this lowly man from Nazareth, who walks willingly toward his death in Jerusalem, could be The One they had been waiting for.
I believe the ailments that Mark writes about are symbolic of non-belief. Not necessarily non-belief that Jesus is the Messiah, but rather, non-belief in Jesus' mission to die. And this non-belief is a serious condition!
Mark 9:42 If anyone causes one of these little ones - those who believe in me - to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 where the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.
Mark's message:
Jesus can help. He can heal the withered hand. He can heal the crippled foot. He can cure the blind eye.
And he can cure the deaf ear.
But if your ear causes you to sin...
Mark 14:46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. 47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
48 “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled."
50 Then everyone deserted him and fled.
Don't run away.
He can heal you.
Thanks for stopping by!
-matt
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