April 4 - Right & Wrong

April 4 - Right & Wrong - Mark 2:13 - 3:6

Jesus didn't follow the rules. We all know that. What was His purpose, though? Was He there to call out the Pharisees? He certainly did a lot of that.

Today we see that Jesus called Levi (Matthew) to follow Him. Levi was a tax collector working for Herod Antipas. Since Capernaum was on a postal route, this would have been an excellent location for his work. He was despised by all of the Jews because of the work that he did. But, Jesus called him anyway. When Matthew invited Him to have dinner in his home, Jesus agreed immediately. The Pharisees were furious. This great healer that they had heard so much about was eating with sinners and tax collectors. But, Jesus did it anyway. (Mark 2:13-16)

The Pharisees believed that they were above reproach. They followed the letter of the law. They were terribly 'righteous.' Huh, you know ... I hear a lot of Christians speak about their lives and actually believe that they are pretty righteous. They can't imagine that they have too many sins to take before the Lord when asking for forgiveness. I'm certain you see the immediate flaw in their logic. Jesus knew that there was no one without sin. He came for everyone, but only those who are willing to admit their need will be healed. (Mark 2:17)

Those poor Pharisees were fasting while watching Jesus feasting with sinners. I've been on fasts myself, and I turn ugly when presented with food I can't eat. Though the Law only required fasting on the Day of Atonement, the Pharisees had encouraged voluntary fasts on Monday and Tuesday of every week (Luke 18:12). Jesus' disciples weren't participating in this 'holy' fast made popular by the Pharisees and others wondered why. (Mark 2:18)

Jesus responded with two parables (Mark 2:19-22). In the first He described His relationship with His followers as a bridegroom who will soon leave His friends. In the second He is a new wineskin. The old ideas and traditions could no longer be patched up. Something new has arrived.

Then came the Sabbath when Jesus and his disciples picked heads of grain. The Pharisees were shocked! Jesus was deliberate in His answer, likening Himself to David who requested consecrated bread from the tabernacle (1 Sam. 21:1-6). With this, He declared Himself Lord of the Sabbath, reminding the Pharisees that the Sabbath, just as the Law, was made for man. (Mark 2:23-27)

Mark 3:1-6 shows us that the Pharisees were following Jesus around trying to catch Him healing on the Sabbath. You have to know that He's going to do just that. They couldn't stand up to His challenge and we see that He was disappointed. Ok, He was angry and distressed at their stubborn hearts. (Mark 3:5) He healed the man, and in doing so, infuriated the Pharisees to begin plotting with those they despised (the Herodians) to kill Him.

Did He do all of this simply to challenge the Pharisees? What is your answer to that?