John writes that Jesus did many miracles and taught so many things that they could not have all been recorded. (John 21:25) This has always made me wonder why the gospel writers chose to include the things they wrote. In a way every word authors included were not only inspired by the Holy Spirit, but also made sense in a profound way to each individual author like Mark. One of the subtle nuanced theme that we see Mark continually use is commands of perception; “Look”, “Listen”, “Hear”, “Behold”. These are often followed by Jesus performing miracles of healing someone who is blind, deft, or mute. What is he getting at here? The answer is that Mark is illustrating the inward reality of our hearts by outward physical ailments.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is not just a new practice, set of rules, wisdom for how to get through life. The gospel IS new life, a new heart, in and of itself. Your heart has to be renewed to understand everything in a new light. Or as C.S. Lewis once wrote, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” In order to understand Jesus, we have to come to Him as one who is willing to be not just instructed but one who is willing to believe. Belief in Jesus as everything He said He was and trust in Him for everything He has done is the beginning of beholding Him. How do you approach Jesus? As a good teacher, a good moral agent, with skepticism, or as Lord?

Ben Melli