Mark 2:23-28 – Not About Rules

 

²³ And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.

 

²⁴ And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?

 

²⁵ And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?

 

²⁶ How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?

 

²⁷ And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

 

²⁸ Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

 

In today’s passage, Jesus was breaking the Pharisees’ rules about what could and could not be done on the Sabbath. The Pharisees went beyond where the Bible did for making rules that everyone had to follow. In this case, it was about getting food on the Sabbath. Jesus and His disciples were picking their food so that they could eat and the Pharisees were not happy about this. Jesus reminds them about David who did something similar for the same reasons and they quickly backed off.

For us Christians, this passage illustrates to us that Christianity is not all about rules that people have come up with. sometimes, people like to add rules to what the Bible says to make a spiritual check list for various reasons. God does establish some over arching rules that we, as Christians, need to follow (like don’t lie, give to God, treat others the way you want to be treated, do not lust, etc.). Anything that is not found in the Bible is someone’s opinion (such as what kind of clothes someone should wear withing modest limits, or kinds music that some people listen to). Not that they are bad opinions, but they are just that. As Christians, we need to remember not to judge others that still follow the Bible but might not hold the same opinions. Doctrine is one thing, opinions are another.

Life Step: Think about it…

What kind of opinions do people tend to add to Christianity?

Why is it wrong to teach opinions as facts, like the Pharisees did?

Mark 2:15-17 – Sharing Jesus

 

¹⁵ And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.

 

¹⁶ And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?

 

¹⁷ When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

 

Jesus came for sinners. In today’s passage, we see the pharisees confront Jesus about socializing with sinners and those who would be considered “low-lifes”. When criticized for His choice of company, Jesus reminded the pharisees that His whole point in being there was for sinners. Just like doctors do not work on healthy people, Jesus says that he is there for the spiritually sick.

For Christians, it is very important that we have good, Godly friends to help us through life. However, that does not give us a right to block off other people from the Gospel. We have a responsibility to share Jesus with everyone, whoever they are.

 Life Step: Think about it…

Why was Jesus criticized for the people he hung around?

Who can you share Jesus with who might seem like an unlikely person?

Mark 2:1-12 – Bringing People to Jesus

¹ And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.

² And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.

³ And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.

⁴ And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

⁵ When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

⁶ But there was certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

⁷ Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

⁸ And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

⁹ Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?

¹⁰ But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)

¹¹ I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.

¹² And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

 

 

Jesus is now teaching more and more people. In today’s passage, He is teaching a packed house when these guys decided that if they could get a paralyzed man to Jesus that Jesus could heal him! Well, the problem was that the house was so full that they couldn’t even get through the front door, let alone to Jesus! So they decided to go up to the roof and make a hole! Contrary to the normal idea of today’s roofs, their roofs back then had tiles, so all they had to do was move a tile and lower the man down. And that is what they did! Jesus saw this and did the unexpected, He simply told the paralyzed man that his sins were forgiven. The religious leaders did not like this much, since only God can forgive sins and they did not believe Jesus was God. Just to prove them wrong, Jesus also told the paralyzed man to get up and walk, and he did!

For us, this passage shows us that if we just try to bring people to Jesus, Jesus can and will work in their lives! So here’s a challenge, let’s make an effort to try to either tell someone that Jesus died for them or to invite them to church.

 Life Step: Think about it…

Why should we try to bring people to Jesus?

What sicks out to you about these guys and the man they brought to Jesus?

Who can you witness to or invite to church?

Mark 1:35-39 – Time Out

³⁵ And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

³⁶ And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.

³⁷ And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.

³⁸ And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.

³⁹ And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

 

As we read yesterday, Jesus’ ministry was booming! People were coming to Him from all over the place to be healed and hear Him teach, but Jesus does something interesting in the middle of all this hustle and bustle. He takes a time out for prayer. Most of us would think that we have SO much to do we need to get our rest, or wake up early to get an early start on the day’s list, but not Jesus. Jesus was up way before the sun had even risen and went off alone to pray all alone! This seems so backwards compared to the way we want to do things, but that is how Jesus did it!

I think the lesson for us Christians in the passage is clear; we need to follow the example of Jesus. Jesus took time out of His day first thing to pray to His Father. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that we need to pray first thing in the morning. In fact, that is not always the best time for some people. However, there is a lot to be said that first thing in the morning was when Jesus wanted to pray. Tomorrow, try giving morning prayer a try. Wake up a little earlier or change your schedule around in the morning and, first thing, spend a little time praying to Jesus just like He did in the morning. Maybe you say you can’t do it in the morning. It is still a good idea to try, but the most important thing is faithfulness. Whether you do it in the morning before the sun is up or at night before bed, pray every day!

 Life Step: Think about it…

Why is it a good idea for us to try to follow Jesus’ example of prayer?

What are some things that keep us from praying regularly to God?

What are some things we can do to keep on praying faithfully every day?