#BibleStudy Signs and Wonders – Miracle # 10 – “Two Blind Miracle Stories Mark 8:22-26; 10:46-52 – 01-09-2022 – Discussion

How does the limited healing of the blind man in 8:24 mirror the way the disciples perceive Jesus in vv8:27-33? 

• Partial insight into who Jesus was.
• Lack of clarity.
• The disciples were uncertain about Jesus.

In what way is their spiritual sight partial, and when is that sight clarified? 

• Partial: When the disciples thought about physical things and not spiritual things.
• Clarified: Through their spiritual growth. After the crucifixion and resurrection.

The story of Bartimaeus immediately follows the story of how James and John maneuvered to try to get the highest places in Jesus's Kingdom. How do Bartimaeus’s words and deeds serve as examples to the 12 disciples as well as us? 

• James/John: Sit at Jesus' right hand and help rule the kingdom. 
• Their mother was involved in this.
• Bartimaeus: The instant he honored Jesus.
• He believed without question.
• Calling out to Jesus admitted his need.
• Persistence in asking.
• He did what Jesus told him to do.
• Faith made him whole.
• Jesus said, "Go," but Bart followed Him.
• Miscellaneous: The disciples kept people away.
• Be careful that you don't restrict Jesus in your life.

The first story is the final miracle before Peter’s climactic confession that Jesus is The Christ v8:29. 

• The man didn't ask. He was brought by friends.

The second story is Jesus’s last miracle before He enters Jerusalem to be crucified. 

• Bartimaeus had great faith.
• This was the last "quiet time" before the chaos leading to the crucifixion.

Why did Mark place these two miracles of sight restoration just before those two major events in Jesus's ministry?

• To show how blind people can be (and we often are).
• It demonstrates both spiritual and physical insight.