In Mark 2, we see a series of events where Jesus breaks the 'rules'... or the norms of society. He breaks the rules of "what you can say," "who you can be with," "what you must do," and "what you can do".
What You Can Say
Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? 9Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? 10But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the paralytic, 11"I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." 12He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!" -Mark 2:8-12
Now, this is not something that we all can say... as one who can take away sins. But it is a Christian practice now "to forgive." We don't do this in the same way as Jesus, with the same authority, but we can say that now... from the blessing of the Gospel... we have the assurance that Jesus does forgive anyone who comes to him. In that, we can say, "I forgive you," and following Jesus lead we should forgive (the noted harder thing to say... and even harder to really feel).
Who You Can Be With
15While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
17On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."- Mark 2:15-17
Jesus hung around with the wrong crowd... something that's always a concern for parents. They've heard that "a bad apple spoils the bunch." But here, Jesus gives a different sort of reasoning... the sick need a doctor. He needs to be with those who need Him. I think this goes for us today. We need to be with those who need us- spiritually and physically. We can't isolate ourselves into Christian cocoons where we never see anyone else, or even worse, we shouldn't isolate our lives so that we never express our joy and faith in those relationships where our friends desperately (perhaps unknowingly) thirst for God's goodness and forgiveness and love. And also, as reminded by Paul Wilson who spoke at GCF last night, we need to minister to the physical needs as well. Like the Good Samaritan, we are called to serve all of our brothers and sisters.
What You Can/Must Do
25He answered, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? 26In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions."
27Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." -Mark 2:25-28
Finally, Jesus explains why He is picking grain from the field by using a reference to David and his companions. And the ever familiar "Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." While taking Sabbath is important, it's like we read the other day- it's important for us. It's a gift from the Lord, a chance to recenter. There may be times when this is not possible, but God gave Sabbath as a holy time for the Lord. Whether there are things you must accomplish on that specific day, the important part is taking time to be with God, to rest in his presence and to trust Him patiently.
Father, I thank you for all the blessings of the teachings you have provided for me. Today I wait patiently to hear Your will.
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