From Miracles to the Cross: Understanding Biblical Christianity
I mentioned in my previous post that the healing of the blind man can only be understood from the perspective of the succeeding context found in Mark 8:27 to 9:1. The healing of the blind man found in Mark 8:22–26 won’t make sense without understanding the correlation of the narrative to what follows.
The conclusion that one can get from reading the healing of the blind man is that Jesus is a miracle worker and, as such deserves popular recognition. In a way, we could say that popular support and the ability to perform wonders could be an easy way to power. That’s how a man thinks.
The problem with the above mentality is that it is contrary to the testimony of the Holy Scriptures. If there is an insight we can get in understanding the relationship of 8:22-26 to the succeeding story is that biblical Christianity does not teach that the performance of miracles leads to political power. This is why Jesus after performing the miracle, instead of talking about big numbers, “church growth,” and “kingdom expansion,” he inquired of his disciples’ knowledge of him. And then he talked about his approaching death and the cost of following him.
Yes, knowing Jesus as the Messiah is a good starting point, but it isn’t enough. The true knowledge of Christ includes accepting both the facts of his crucifixion and his resurrection as well as counting the cost of following him.
The popular understanding of Jesus and biblical Christianity is generally mistaken. And this is even true among those who claim to follow him. This is reflected in Christian activities such as our discipleship program and Christian mission. We are the ones setting the standard patterned after the world instead of following biblical principles.
Perhaps the disciples at that time were surprised to hear Jesus talk about his approaching death and the cross they had to carry in following him. A great event such as the miracle of the blind man just happened. This is great news! This could be a way to usher the kingdom of God. However, instead of “victorious thoughts” like these, Jesus foretold the manner of his death and the price his disciples must pay for following him.
This to me is biblical Christianity. Biblical Christianity does not teach that performing signs and wonders is the way to greatness and power. They also should not attract attention to themselves, including both the acts and the “powerful person” behind the acts. They serve their proper purpose to confirm the gospel of Christ. And besides the greatest miracle of all is for proud, conceited, self-righteous, and arrogant man to be changed by the power of God’s grace. This will only happen if such a person has a true understanding of the person and works of Christ and has experienced both the power of the cross and the power of resurrection. Such power is radically different from our popular understanding of power.
Posted Using InLeo Alpha