The ministry of Jesus consisted of traveling around the Sea of Galilee preaching about the Kingdom of God and calling people to repent of their sin and obey God by trusting in Him. Jesus very much called people specifically, like the disciples, and generally, like all the people who would come to hear him preach, to obey Jesus and to look to Him for spiritual guidance. The Gospel of Mark is remarkable in many ways in that there is not much specific teaching but rather many stories of miraculous healing and transformation that also accompanied the ministry of Jesus. If you have been following the sermon series, you may have noticed how the crowds have gathered and increased in number and in their expectation for Jesus to do incredible, supernatural, miracles. This Sunday we are ending the broader ministry Jesus had to both Jews and gentiles with a few amazing miracles and a warning. But what happens next?

Chapter 8 in Mark is the shift, the turn, the plot twist within the greater narrative. After this Sunday we will see the mission of Jesus head in a specific direction, both in purpose, and in geography. Jesus makes his way to Jerusalem with a specific goal in mind. Before we get to that point, I want to take a moment to reflect on the broader ministry Jesus has accomplished. Jesus changed peoples lives in both His teaching, preaching, and healing. Imagine if all you experienced of Jesus was a healing from a life crippling disease or condition. Or maybe a freedom from an addiction or even a demon possession? What would you say about Him? You might believe he was a powerful magician or a prophet. You might say He was a spiritual guru. But Jesus claimed to be so much more. Those who followed Jesus, who sought after him, understood that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. Jesus was very much aware of His divinity, and never backed down from that claim. You may be interested in Jesus because he was a good moral teacher, or because you want healing from something in life. Jesus might give you that, but you will never see Jesus as He saw Himself until you see Him as the Lord. He is the Lord of heaven and earth, the Lord of life, and the Lord of love. Until you see Him as that, Mark tells us your hearts are still blind. How will you see Him today?