Jesus Bursts Old Wineskins Series

Mk. 2:1-3:6 JESUS BURSTS OLD WINESKINS

A. “That Broadway Project! Why is it taking so long? Why are they

ripping apart more roads and intersections than just putting on the

new cement? They are stalling for time, and making hard for everyone

in Minot!!!”

1. I am not a street contractor. I am not a city engineer. I

don’t know how old or how bad those sewer pipes and water pipes are

underneath Broadway.

2. I am asking questions from a practical point of view,

without understanding all that is involved in such a project.

I. THE PEOPLE’S RESPONSE TO JESUS.

A. Jesus Christ is one Amazing Man! People are flocking to Him.

They grab onto, and believe everything that He says!

1. Jesus is turning the Jewish religious system upside down.

He is challenging the traditions of the Old Testament.

2. We read it this way from Mark, because Mark writes his

Gospel in a very dramatic style. In reading Mark, you will find the

words, “immediately and suddenly” quite often; indicating that things

move very quickly from one event and place to another.

3. But within the dramatic and writing style of Mark; we find

different kinds responses by the crowds. Let’s consider some of those

responses to Jesus!

4. Quite often, the crowds gather around Jesus to see what He

is doing. In 1:33, 37, 45, masses of people press around Christ to see

what He is doing. In 2:12, the people are amazed by the healing of the

paralytic man. It says, “they were amazed and glorified God. We have

never seen anything like this before!”

5. When Jesus comes home, the crowds gather around Him,

and keep Him from eating (3:20). In 4:1, a large crowd gather to hear

Jesus teach. In 10:46, a multitude goes along with Jesus to Jericho.

6. And in 11:10 when Jesus rides into Jerusalem, many people

are crying out, proclaiming Him as the One who has brought the

Davidic Kingdom that is to come!

7. In all these situations, the crowds are responding positively.

They are truly amazed! But their responses lack depth and do not carry

any commitment in the long run. For it will be the same people will be

crying out for His crucifixion (15:8-15).

B. A Second Response that we find in this chapter comes from the

Pharisees and other religious leaders.

1. A third group that responds is Jesus’ family members and

friends. Chapter 3:21 tells us that Jesus’ family members do not know

what to think of Him - they say that “He is out of His mind.”

2. They indicate that Christ is not using normal behavior, and

does not fit into the pattern of normal people. In 6:1-6, we read that

the people from Jesus’ home town reject Him.

3. How difficult it must have been for Jesus when those who

were close to Him for many years turned their backs on Him.

4. A fourth response comes from His own disciples. As we

read through the Gospel of Mark, we observe what the disciples know

about Jesus, and how they choose to respond to Him.

5. The fifth and sixth groups of people are the divine and

demonic voices that we find in this Gospel. What is very striking is

that the divine and demonic types recognize Jesus as the Son of God a

lot sooner than the religious leaders and the crowds of people.

6. The Messianic secret is let out by these, when you would

think that it should have been the religious leaders in the first place.

7. But there is a seventh group which are the outsiders.

Those are the Gentiles and the sinners. How do they respond to

Jesus Christ? We will find out, as we study this Gospel.

II. THE RELIGIOUS LEADER’S RESPONSE TO JESUS.

A. The first story that we find in Mark 2 is the healing of the

paralytic. With many people around, and looking on to see this man

being lifted down from the roof - Jesus heals this man’s paralysis. But

then comes a reaction to this healing as well.

1. Secondly, we find Jesus calling Levi. What is Jesus doing?

He is associating with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus not only heals

the paralytic, and forgives his sins; but Jesus is also associating with

the wrong kinds of people.

2. The reaction? Major disapproval from the scribes and

religious leaders! No one wanted to be around those dirty tax

collectors!

3. In 18-22, an important question is raised, “Why don’t your

disciples fast as John’s disciples do and the Pharisees do?” Why

aren’t Jesus’ disciples following the regular religious customs?

4. 23-28, Jesus and His disciples pluck grain from the fields on

the Sabbath. And of course, this causes problems with all who saw