1. Healing the Blind Man in Bethsaida Mark 8:22-26

2. Purpose of Miracles Not to make someone well Hebrews 9:27 A sign to indicate something else Heb. 2:4 To point to a specific truth John 20:31 To confirm the word of God Mark 16:20 The gifts ended when the complete word was given 1 Cor. 13:8-10 Know in part, prophesy in part vs. complete Partial revelation vs. complete revelation

3. Purpose of The Miracle in Mark 8 Context of the miracle in Mark 8 Immediately before this miracle, Jesus rebukes the disciples for their inability to see His spiritual lessons in His words 8:13-21 Immediately after this miracle, Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ 8:27-29 Matthew’s account records the joy of Jesus over this confession Matthew 16:17-19 However, Peter still had some to learn v.21-23

4. The Book of Mark We see that Jesus is the Son of God Authority 1:21-28 Action many miracles in Mark Attention many references to reaction 1:28 This picture of Jesus would appeal to the Romans 1 Peter 5:13 However, this is only a partial picture of what it means to be the Son of God

5. The Book of Mark The second half of the book gives the complete picture of Jesus as the Son of God Selflessness 9:14-29 Service 9:33-35 Submission 14:32-42 Sacrifice 14:1-16:20

6. Parallels John declares the Lord 1:1-8 Baptism 1:9-11 Exorcism 1:21-28 Fame 1:28-45 Peter declares the Lord 8:27-29 Transfiguration 9:2-13 Exorcism 9:14-29 Humility 9:33-50

7. The Miracle in Mark 8 The only miracle that is not immediate Immediately appears 40 times in Mark Jesus gave sight in 2 steps just the same way the book of Mark enlightens us in 2 steps This miracle divides the book of Mark into its two parts The Son of God has authority, he acts, and demands our attention But the Son of God’s true greatness is seen in His selflessness, service, submission, and sacrifice