The Blind Men Help us to See the Structure of Mark 8:22-10:52
Mark divides his gospel into two basic parts where 1:1- 8:30 is the book of power (the power and strength of God is showcased in the works of Jesus) and 8:31-16:8 is the book of suffering (where Jesus journeys to the cross to suffer and die). That is the basic structure of the book, but it can also be broken into three sections that are more based on geography. In this tri-part structure, 8:22-10:52 is known as ‘the way’ section, and it is remarkable how well Mark constructs it. This section documents Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem (he arrives in 11:1), which is the place of his suffering. Mark uses ‘way’ (οδος) seven times in this section for both geographical and theological purposes. Physically, it is simple: Jesus continues on the way to Jerusalem. Theologically, Jesus is going to the great sacrifice, which will provide the way for his sheep to enter the new creation. This section is binded together through these geographical advancements and also by the two stories of the blind men. Beautifully, Jesus heals a blind man in 8:22-26 and also in 10:46-52. These stories serve as the brackets that enclose this section.
Within this section, Jesus is teaching his disciples about the things that are about to happen concerning his suffering. Jesus teaches of his coming death and resurrection three times in this section (8:31, 9:30-32, 10:32-34). The point is that he is on his way to Jerusalem (the place of his suffering), and he is teaching his disciples about what will take place there. The ugly events that will transpire will lead to the necessary sacrifice that will tear the curtain of divide in two. This is what provides a way for sinful people to go into the throne room of God. That ‘way’ is through Jesus. We have access to God the Father through Jesus, who is the forever mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5). He creates the ‘way’ to God, to the throne room, into the new creation, back to the Garden of God, and he does this through his suffering.
Jesus corrects the problem that first came about as a punishment for Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:24: “He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.” After Adam sinned, he and his wife could no longer commune in the presence of God. They were sent into exile because humanity cannot commune in the presence of God as a wall of sin makes the division. Mankind cannot enter the throne room of God because his sin is too unholy. In the temple, the high priest is the only one able to enter the Holy of Holies (the innermost room of the temple), and he was only allowed in once a year. For everyone else, the temple was designed to guard the way into the room of the presence of God. Jesus comes to create a way for sinners to commune with God.
Isaiah picks up this language and prophesies that God will raise up a servant who will provide the way. This servant becomes Jesus, and his work on the cross is the provision of that way. Jesus is the way and the truth and the life. All those who would enter life must follow him alone.
