Eyes Opened to See Jesus

Rev. Ryan Ogrodowicz, associate pastor and headmaster at Grace Lutheran Church and School in Brenham, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 8:22-26.

In this transitional text, Jesus goes to Bethsaida, placing Him in a region where there is both Jewish and Gentile influence. As in previous accounts, people bring to Jesus a man in need; in this case, a blind man is brought for Jesus to touch and heal. Jesus takes the man out of the village, a foreshadow of Jesus’ own work outside the city of Jerusalem on the cross. The miracle takes place in two stages, not because Jesus lacked ability, but in order to shed light on the spiritual sight this man, Jesus’ disciples, and all people need. Although the disciples do not see Jesus clearly yet, He will open their eyes completely by His death and resurrection. Only through the lens of Jesus’ work on the cross do we truly see today, even as we wait for that day when we see Jesus fully face-to-face.

“The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Mark. The Evangelist hits the ground running with the very first verse of his Gospel account, and he never lets up the pace. As one deed of Jesus comes right after another, always paired with His authoritative Word, St. Mark proclaims the good news that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, revealed conclusively by His death on the cross.