We Can See -- But Not Clearly

In Mark 8 we are introduced to a blind man in Bethsaida. Jesus attempts to heal him, but it doesn’t work. People look like trees. I believe the author of Mark strategically places this story right before Peter's announcement 'Jesus is the Messiah' to connect the literary theme “people can see but no clearly." This theme is true for Peter for immediately following his announcement of who Jesus is he rebukes Jesus for predicting the Passion.

Just like the blind man in Bethsaida, Peter can see -- but not clearly.

So Jesus turns to the crowd and announces, “If any want to become my follower, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, save it.”

If you want to save your life then you must choose to lose it. It means the Kingdom of God becomes more important than careers and vacations. It means you become centered around the sake of the gospel.

Yet I wonder what Jesus meant by ‘taking up a cross?’ Think about this - He hadn’t died yet! We refer to it by saying, “Just like Jesus suffered on the cross, so too must I suffer.” But what did the disciples think when they heard this? What did the cross mean in the disciples’ context? (I don't have this answer)

For us the cross is the result of Jesus’ opposition to the corruption of religion, the oppression of the poor, and the perversion of justice. It is precisely Jesus’ challenge to these evils and his identification with the outcast, the forgotten, and the oppressed that led to the feast of religious and political powers to put him to death. (R.A. Culpepper, Mark).

From this perspective, to take up the cross means to step forward, regardless of the sacrifice that is required. You join in the work of confrontation. You speak truth to power. You take identify with the lowly and outcast. Taking up the cross means joining hands to relieve suffering and injustice, rescuing the weak, and bringing justice to bear for all communities.

Jesus is telling us to evaluate how deeply committed we are. Discipleship is an expression of our commitment to Christ, not an impulse for recognition and personal gain.

To think being a follower of Christ means simply being a church member means you can see but not clearly. To think being baptized is all discipleship requires is to see but not clearly. To take communion and to think that is all that is required of you is to see but not clearly. To rededicate your life seven times in four years means you can see but not clearly. To think ‘Jesus bore his cross so I didn’t have to’ is to see but not clearly.

For anyone who tries to save their life will lose it. But whoever chooses to lose their life for the sake of the gospel and for Jesus Christ will save it.

What does this mean? It means to see clearly is to practice discipleship. It is to devote your time, energy, prayer, and inner being to Christ. It is to partner with God in the ongoing creation of the world.