What an interesting passage! A transitional chapter in the book were Jesus begins to speak a little more clearly to his disciples and the people. The time is coming soon when he'll be crucified, and he knows it. He wants to make sure the disciples know that they need to be carful of what the Pharisees have taught and continue to teach (13-21) and demonstrates how truth is revealed in our lives by healing a blind man (22-26).
Some of said that this passage has to do with healing and that God sometimes chooses to heal gradually. I don't deny that, but I do not believe that is the point of the passage. If we look at the context and what's happening to the disciples, we see their eyes being opened to who Jesus really is. Truth is being revealed to them in their lives. They get it and claim Jesus as the Messiah (27-30). However, they are not completely understanding because right after Peter claims Jesus to be the Messiah, Jesus is rebuking him for not having the right teaching..or mindset (he is thinking through what he has been taught by the Pharisees in the past along with all the other Jews on how the Messiah is "supposed" to come). Jesus says, "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of man" (v. 33).
Truth is an interesting conversation nowadays. Not everyone believes in the same "truth." What was true for the Pharisees was true for them. That is the argument many take. However, you can believe something is true all you want, but it may not be truth! What traditions have you been taught and have grown up with? Is what you perceive to be true really truth? If your basis for truth is not in the Jesus Christ of the untampered Word of God, your "truth" may not be true.
May the Lord continue to reveal himself to us. Some say Christians are close-minded. I say Christians are open-minded towards allowing Christ to reveal himself to us. Jesus finishes the chapter sharply saying, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." We must be willing to give up our own "truth" in order to receive the real truth.
