Jesus restored the sight of a blind beggar while he was “on the way” to his death in the city of Jerusalem – Mark 10:46-52.
This is the last recorded healing miracle in Mark’s account. And here, Jesus is called the “Nazarene.” Previously, he was only so identified when he exorcised demons, thereby delivering someone from demonic oppression. And in the Gospel of Mark, the name “Nazarene” frames his first and last healing miracles – (Mark 1:24).
Continue readingA blind man’s eyes were opened, and he was “saved” as Jesus continued “on the way” to Jerusalem – Mark 8:22-26.
The preceding three stories highlighted the spiritual blindness caused by unbelief, especially the inability to perceive what God was doing in Jesus, as well as recognize who he was. Next, he restored sight to another Israelite so he could begin to see clearly. And his blindness was removed by the savior’s touch, the “Son of David” and the Messiah of Israel.
Continue readingMark highlights the unbelief behind the inability of both his opponents and the disciples to perceive exactly who Jesus was – Mark 8:1-21.
Despite all they had seen, the disciples remained dull of hearing and ran the risk of submitting to the same unbelief that characterized the opponents of Jesus, and especially the unbelief and hostility of the Pharisees. Regardless of his many miracles, they still could not comprehend who he was, the Messiah of Israel and the savior of the world.
Continue readingThe feeding of 5,000 men was a spectacular witness to Israel, yet most Jews continued to reject Jesus as Israel’s Messiah – Mark 6:31-56.
The feeding of the five thousand is the only miracle story recorded in all four gospel accounts, which demonstrates its importance to the early church. In John’s gospel, it occurred near the Passover season. In Luke, only the twelve disciples participated in the distribution of bread and fish. Mark places the story after the account of the execution of John the Baptist – (Mark 6:31-44).
Continue readingJesus healed two women, restoring both to a state of ritual purity – Mark 5:21-43.
Mark presents two stories about women in need of healing. The theme that links the two accounts is that of a woman in need of physical healing and restoration to a state of ritual purity. Both were “unclean” due to their physical condition; the first because of a flow of blood, and the second due to her recent death.
Continue reading
Disciples Global Network 