Blind man
Jesus takes the earth, and helps him see
Not all the way at first
Man sees people as trees walking
Jesus
Works with him some more
Can see

I appreciate the story
Envious of people around me who the healing process goes faster
When it goes slow, this story reminds me of two things
Jesus heals us
Stay with Jesus

In Mark this story occurs right before the whole book changes
Anticipates the next section
Let’s look for it

Jesus goes with his disciples north to Caesera Philippi

Herod region was split between his sons
Herod Antipas - killed John the Baptist
Herod Phillip - in charge of this area - right on the border between Galilee and pagan areas
Herod had built a temple here to the greek god, Pan the nature god
His son had added a temple to emperor cult
Renamed it Caesera Philippi

Cave there
Pagans thought of it as a gate to the underworld
Gods who go for the winter
All kinds of detestable practices as part of their worship to get the gods to come out
Pagan loved knocking on the doors of the underworld

Odious to the Jews
Long history of Jewis idolatry - high place, Baal worship
Temple to greek gods
The underworld - hades - don’t knock on that door

What to see what’s left after 2000 years?

Jesus
Here next to the temple dedicated to Caesar
At the gates of hell

Who do you say I am?
Question that so much rides on
Mark - the disciples asked the same thing - but in wonderment
After feeding the crowds, walking on water - they were amazed
quieting the storm - they literally asked in Mark 4:41 - who is this?

As readers, we are faced with the same question
Like us, Disciples had run out of options

Teacher? Had to be more
Parables to the crowds, explained to them…plus all the other aspects
Healer?
Pharisees thought maybe he was on the devil’s team
Religious leader?
He’s over here doing things he’s not allowed to do
Forgiving sins?

Who do you say I am?
Peter - the Messiah
The long awaited for King
The one Moses said would be greater
David
Judas Maccabeus

In Matthew, on this rock, I build my church
Next to the gate, next to gods in rock

Jesus is starting his church
On Peter’s confession
It will last, the gates of hell won’t stand against it
Jesus
Might of Herod, the empire of Tiberius son of Augustus
High places of Israel

How?
He will suffer
The way of the Messiah is the way of the cross

Peter
Get behind me Satan
Swiftest turn in biblical history

Disciple
Learner
Sent one

Now add another
Cross-bearer

Fundamental choice
Before the gods and the power and the wealth of Caesar
they show what it means to gain the whole world

Church is still faced with this choice
To we want the love and approval of Caesar
To we still chase after the gods of this world
Are we still knocking on that gate…hoping they answer?

Jesus rebukes Peter - just as he rebukes us
We are like the blind man
With Jesus, we still don’t see clearly

Jesus makes it clear
For them … for us
What does it gain someone to acquire the world and yet lose their soul?

What if you got what you actually wanted?
We think our problem is access
We still cannot see
Access is not the problem

Desire
Seek the Kingdom of Christ… Or of another?

We are called to the way of the cross
to really love
long-suffering, risk, patience
Deep compassion for those the world has long since abandoned
build up others… Not our own empires

self denial is not self neglect
understanding your gifts…. and then serving others and not the gods of this age

This morning we come to the table
at the table Christ heals us so we can see clearly
Way of Christ, Fruit of the Spirit… everlasting Kingdom
OR
the way of selfishness… worldly power, stature, pleasure
and maybe you’ll get what you want
world will visit the broken ruins of your stone cold dreams

Today know what is at stake
Your steps to the table are also the way of the cross

As you come forward… Consider what you are leaving behind
Delight in what Christ has for you
Love, life, truth, grace, forever