Mark 2

Mark 2

Mark 2:1-13 is the story of the paralyzed man whose friends opened the roof of a home where JESUS was teaching and lowered him into JESUS’ presence. JESUS on seeing the trust of the man’s friends told the man his sins were forgiven. The religious leaders who were there said in their minds that JESUS was blaspheming because only GOD could forgive sins. JESUS knowing their thoughts asked them what was easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven. or Take up your mat and walk?” Then to prove He had the authority and power to forgive sin He told the man to take up his mat and walk. Everyone was amazed. The thought I had this morning was that the man did not understand nor have the trust to test his forgiveness. When JESUS said ‘Your sins are forgiven.” he just lay there. Then the discussion ensued about JESUS’ ability to forgive sin. In his heart the man might have rejoiced that his sins were forgiven, but he did or could not associate that with healing for his body. In the accounts of this event it says that it was his friends that trusted JESUS and brought him and literally forced him into JESUS’ presence. There was still little known about JESUS and much controversy about His ministry and authority to do what He did and say what He said. So it’s understandable when JESUS told the man his sins were forgiven to continue to lay on his mat. This is still happening today, many in the Church do not understand the authority of JESUS that He gave to those who believe in Him and the power to set people free physically, emotionally and spiritually. So when we pray for salvation for people we do not pray Sozo and Shalom, we just pray for the forgiveness of sins and going to heaven someday. If you do not understand what I mean by Sozo and Shalom then you need to do a word study of them. And, we all need to start not praying with people for salvation by leading them in some formulaic prayer but by speaking over them in our GOD given authority Sozo and Shalom. Ask the same questions but pray over them in authority not leading them in a prayer of repentance that you can find no example of in the Bible!

In 2:13-17 is the account of JESUS calling Levi and then having a meal at his home. The religious leaders question JESUS’ disciples about why JESUS is dinning with sinners and JESUS tells them it is not the healthy that need a doctor but the sick. Therefore He was not there for the righteous but for the sinners. The problem is that the righteous religious leaders of His day are the same as the righteous religious leaders of today and of every age. They do not see that their righteousness is not from GOD but from themselves and those who are like minded. Throughout the Gospels JESUS tells and shows the religious leaders that their righteousness is not from GOD and will not save them, in fact He tells the people to not follow their leader’s righteous acts but to seek GOD. This is shown clearly in Matthew 7:21ff and 25:31ff; in Matthew 7 there are those who do miracles in JESUS’ name but He calls them lawless and says He does not know them. In Matthew 25 there are those who do the natural works of mercy and He rewards them, but those who do not do the natural works of mercy He calls lawless and condemns. Where does our righteousness come from and what works of mercy are we doing?

In 2:18-22 JESUS is questioned about why His disciples do not fast and He tells them that His disciples cannot fast at that time because of His presence but that when He was gone they would fast. Are we fasting? Then He talks about patching old clothes with new material and putting new wine in old wind skins and how these are the ruin of the old and the new. Do you see what He is saying to the Church? He gave us a New Covenant based on the Old Covenant but we cannot apply the style of sacrifice of the Old to the New and The HOLY SPIRIT that He sent to the New will not function under the ways of the Old. The truth of the Old is still true and must be lived but the process of the New in His SPIRIT is the only way it will lead to life and not death. GOD did not give us The HOLY SPIRIT so that we could fulfill the law – JESUS did that – but to teach us how to incorporate into our daily life. There is a lot in this passage take your time to study, meditate and pray about your lifestyle.

2:23-27 is about the Sabbath, where JESUS proclaims that the Sabbath is for man and not man for the Sabbath. In the Old Testament under the law of Sabbath it became a ritual of religion rather than a blessing of rest; for the people and the land and GOD judged them for that. The Sabbath still applies today, especially today when we live such hurried and busy lives. We must take our Sabbath rest weekly! It is life and death. GOD also judged Israel for being religious rather than being personal, from the beginning when He brought them miraculously out of slavery in Egypt they wanted GOD ‘s blessings but not His presence. They wanted the benefits of His being their GOD but did not want to interact with Him personally, they wanted Moses and Aaron to stand and speak with GOD so they could continue to live how they desired, and we do the same today. Most Christians rather spend an hour or so a week hearing about GOD rather than spending any amount of time per day seeking His presence and learning of Him. Trust, righteousness, The HOLY SPIRIT, Sabbath and service are all a part of our salvation and should be a part of our daily lives.