October 7: John 2-4

October 7, John 2-4

Mark continued…

Mark 2 Jesus returned to Capernaum again and is preaching the Word of God in a house and house was packed, literally with people. We read about this the other day from Luke 5 and the story that Mark records is similar to that of Luke. There was a man who is paralyzed and his friends were trying to bring him to Jesus to be healed. They could not get to him because the house that he was in was packed with people. So the friends went up to the roof and cut out part of it, and lowered this guy into the house so that he could be near Jesus. Jesus told the man that is since were forgiven. The Pharisees were furious because how could a “man” forgive sins? Jesus was revealing to them that he was not just a man, but the Son of Man with the authority to forgive sins. Was it easier to say I forgive you or Rise, take up your bed and walk? That was the debate and the point was that Jesus could and did do both. This was showing the Deity of Jesus as God and also His ability to do miracles. The man immediately rose and pick up his bed and went home - how awesome is that - all were amazed and glorified God!

Another story that is very close to the one in Luke… then Jesus meets Levi, a tax collector (back in those days most tax collectors were scandalous) & Jesus told him to follow Jesus. Levi left his business and followed Jesus. Then Levi had a big feast in his house and all the Pharisees were upset again because Jesus was hanging out with tax collectors and sinners. “And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” This is right, Jesus came for the sick. They also questioned him on why his disciples not fast yet they continue to eat and drink. Jesus explains that his disciples will fast when he goes away. For now, Jesus is there and there is no need to fast until He is gone. 

Now Mark tells us the story of Jesus and His disciples walking through a grain field on the Sabbath. As they were walking, the disciples began to pick some of the heads of grain and eat. Again - the Pharisees did not approve. The Pharisees took all of the laws of the Moses and added to them. Jesus reminded them about David in 1 Samuel 21 and how he was in need and hungry and the High Priest helped him out, “So the priest gave him the holy bread, for there was no bread there but the bread of the Presence, which is removed from before the Lord, to be replaced by hot bread on the day it is taken away.” Jesus reminded the Pharisees, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” Jesus corrected them. The Old Testament had very strict rules about the Sabbath, and some of the Jews added to the laws (like I said before). Jesus using this example was also His claim to Deity. 

To sum it all up: 

• The question is - What lengths of faith would you go to to have people or yourself be close to Jesus?
• Would you climb a roof and cut it open with the expectation that Jesus could heal your friend? Do you have the courage?
• With all of the global chaos right now and the ‘Storm of Biblical proportions’ in South Carolina - who is your God? Do you trust this Jesus that broke all the ‘religious’ rules to be your Savior? He can be trusted with your whole life. Leave nothing apart from His Hands…