By Brad Olsen

Recently I was able to visualize the response of the Jews to Jesus and his miracles. Perhaps some will find this elementary. But for the first time, I can see vivid pictures, and hear the sounds, of how the some Jews understood Jesus to be their messiah.

The apostle John Mark wrote the earliest depiction of Jesus’ life (Mark) between 50 and 65 A.D.

Each time Jesus impacts a life, John Mark gives us a glimpse into the response of witnesses (including the apostles, and, of course, himself).

Here are three examples:

• After the scene in which Jesus calms the squall while in the boat with his disciples, they say, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” (Mark 4:41).
• The masses heard about Jesus “. . . and wherever He entered villages, or cities, or countryside, they were laying the sick in the market places, and entreating Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were being cured.” (Mark 6:56)
• After Jesus healed a deaf and mute man, “. . . they were utterly astonished, saying, ‘He has done all things well; He makes even the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.’” (Mark 7:37)

What John Mark does not point out, but is poignantly evident to most Jewish contemporaries of Jesus (to whom John Mark was writing), is the bold ties to Old Testament scripture:

• Referring to Yahweh, the Psalmist writes: “Who dost still the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the tumult of the peoples.” (Psalms 65:7)
• The Lord tells Israel, “But for you who fear My name the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.” (Malachi 4:2)
• Isaiah prophesied: “Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb will shout for joy. For waters will break forth in the wilderness And streams in the Arabah.” (Isaiah 35:5-6).

Jesus expects that, sooner or later, each of us will respond as these early Jews did. After Thomas confessed to doubting Him, Jesus said, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”

So today I pray: “Lord, may we respond to You the way the early witnesses did. So be it.”