In today's gospel, Christ heals the blind man on the outskirts of Jericho. (Two men, according to Luke.)
Jericho is an ancient town, an oasis town with three separate constructions. The first was destroyed by Joshua, the second was rebuilt nearby and destroyed by the Romans in their attack in the 70s B.C. (and much of the damage was done by the defenders who, in true Middle East tradition, tried to destroy everything, including the famous balsam trees, rather than allow their enemies to have it.) The third was built by Herod --and given by Antony to Cleopatra because she loved its beauty, spice and luxury. It was the last stop in the Jordan Valley for pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem.
Mark adds clever specifics: The blind man "threw away his cloak." And Christ says "What do you want me to do for you?" He certainly knows but it seems that Christ wants to be asked.
And when the man says he wants to see, Christ does not make it an abstract question, he does not complicate this improvement in his worldly life. But he also hooks this improvement to the man's faith.
Everything has its spiritual filter.
Jericho is an ancient town, an oasis town with three separate constructions. The first was destroyed by Joshua, the second was rebuilt nearby and destroyed by the Romans in their attack in the 70s B.C. (and much of the damage was done by the defenders who, in true Middle East tradition, tried to destroy everything, including the famous balsam trees, rather than allow their enemies to have it.) The third was built by Herod --and given by Antony to Cleopatra because she loved its beauty, spice and luxury. It was the last stop in the Jordan Valley for pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem.
Mark adds clever specifics: The blind man "threw away his cloak." And Christ says "What do you want me to do for you?" He certainly knows but it seems that Christ wants to be asked.
And when the man says he wants to see, Christ does not make it an abstract question, he does not complicate this improvement in his worldly life. But he also hooks this improvement to the man's faith.
Everything has its spiritual filter.
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