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
what Jesus and His disciples did!
5. As you move into chapter 3, you have a sequel to 23-28;
Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath as well. This
too, does not meet the agenda and approval of the religious leaders
either.
6. All of these different events have something in common.
What is the common theme? They are arousing a negative reaction
and accusations against Jesus from the religious leaders.
7. The ministry of Jesus is definitely being opposed, because
the religious leaders see the rifts and the storms Jesus is creating
against their laws and traditions.
B. Let’s dig a little deeper to gain a better understanding of what is going on here.
1. In verse 7, Jesus says to the paralytic, “My son, your sins
are forgiven.” Only the scribes and Pharisees were to be the
interpreters of the law. Now, they question Jesus’ actions and words.
They ask each other, “Who can forgive sins, but God alone?”
2. Along the same line, the question is asked, “Why?” Jesus is
eating and associating with sinners and tax collectors. The religious
leaders ask Jesus’ disciples, in verse 16, “Why does He eat with tax
collectors and sinners?” Another response of protest to what Jesus is
doing.
3. In verse 16, the Greek tells us that there is a greater intensity
of the question asked in verse 16, than in verse 7. The Greek word for
“why” in verse 16 is, “hoti - or why - wherefore.” The pressure in
opposition to Jesus continues to mount. “We don’t understand this
Man! Why is He doing these things that go against our traditions?”
4. Then in verse 18, the question of fasting comes up. “Why
do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your
disciples do not fast?” The Greek indicates that things continue to get
more intense.
5. Then, Jesus touches on a sensitive nerve of these religious
leaders. The Sabbath! Jesus and His disciples break bread on the
Sabbath day. Now it is easy to see how the crowds begin to take the
side of the Pharisees and religious leaders.
6. And it comes to the point where these men have collected
their evidence, seen it for themselves, and ready to take their case
against Jesus, and try to get rid of this Man! So soon...already, in the
Gospel of Mark!
C Seminary Professor, Willard Swartly states that two things deserve attention. First, notice the contrast between
the crowds response in 2:12 and the Pharisees response in 3:5-6.
1. Second, notice that the Pharisees take counsel with the
Herodians - a most unlikely group to get together.
2. Why?! The Pharisees had set themselves up against Jesus,
and needed the help of the Herodians. Who were the Herodians?
They were a pro-Roman group with political ties, who might be able to
help them with the right connections to be successful in getting rid of
Jesus.
3. We don’t see these groups collaborating together again,
until chapter 12.
III. JESUS’ RESPONSE TO THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS.
A. In each of these situations, we see conflict. But Jesus answers
their “why” questions with action and authority that sends these
men reeling for a better come-back!
1. In the first case with the healing of the paralytic, Jesus has
two responses. By using their logic that this man’s sickness is a result
of the sin - which Jesus refuses in John 9; Christ demonstrates on their
terms that His statement is valid, “My son, your sins are forgiven.”
2. Second, Christ identifies Himself as the “Son of Man”; the
One who, “comes with the clouds of heaven, receives dominion and
glory in the Kingdom from all peoples, nations, and languages.”
(Dan. 7:13-14).
3. The response of the religious leaders? Shocked and
angered to silence! The response of the crowds? Amazed at Jesus -
Such a powerful and new thing never seen before in their lifetime!
4. According to them and Jewish thought - for Jesus to
forgive sins was ultimate blasphemy! Only God forgives sins, and no
man could ever play the part of God! After all, that was what they
were taught, and that was just good Jewish theology!
5. They could only see Jesus as a teacher - but not the kind of
Man who taught their kind of teaching. Jesus did not fit into their rules
and traditions. And labeled as a lunatic, and teaching heresy, He had
to be gotten rid of!
6. Jesus may have been called, “Rabbi”; healed people; but He
also used verbal evidence against them; and that did not fit into their
lifestyle and culture of who the Jewish people were to be.
B. A second area of conflict that takes place, is the rejection of the
sinners and tax collectors.
1. “Those who are well have no need of a doctor, but those
who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but the sinners.” (17).
2. The One who has supreme authority, the One who would
call kings and religious leaders, as a part of His cabinet does
something much different.
3. Jesus calls the outcasts, the despised. He calls those who
have no royal blood and majesty, but who are broken and oppressed,
and have no power in the land to come and to rule His Kingdom with
Him!
C. Let’s look at a third response of Jesus to these religious leaders.
Here we have several images. The wedding guests; the bride groom;
an unshrunk patch; old garment; new wine, and old wineskins.
1. All of these images are related to the question, “Why don’t
your disciples fast?”
2. In terms of the Wedding image, those questioning Jesus are
not up with what is going on. The Wedding feast is going on right in
front of their eyes; and they do not see it. “The time is fulfilled, and
the kingdom of God is at hand...” (1:15).
3. There is no time to fast now! It is time to celebrate! For the
wedding Banquet is going on. Jesus is calling Her Bride, and a new
age has come!
4. Added to this, is the fact that the new reality cannot
contain the old religion and traditions. You don’t put old things or
old wine into the new ones.
5. The old rites of Judaism cannot hold and prevent the power
of the Kingdom that Jesus is ushering in, to come! The new wine must
but placed into new wineskins.
D. Fourth, Jesus responds to His accusers in regards to plucking
the grain on the Sabbath. “Don’t you remember when David broke
the rules for the sake of human need?”
1. The comes the power statement that throws things into a
topsy-turvy again. “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man
for the Sabbath; so the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
WOW!!
2. What just happened? Jesus claims lordship and authority
even over the Sabbath - the most sacred institution of the Jews!!
3. What is the purpose of the Sabbath anyway? REST! Yes,
we all need rest on the Sabbath Day. The 4th commandment, Deut. 5,
and other Old Testament texts instruct us that all people, including
servants and animals are entitled to a day of rest each week.
4. In the Sabbatical system, was the year of Jubilee where
slaves were to be freed, debts canceled, and the land redistributed
every 50 years. (Lev. 25). Why? Because, “the Sabbath was made
for man, not man for the Sabbath!”
5. Jesus also extends this theme of rest in Matt. 11:28, “Come
to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
6. No wonder why Jesus claims Lordship, as Lord of the
Sabbath Day! He knew what God intended for His people; when God
Himself, modeled taking a day of rest, after the six days of creation.
CONCLUSION
A. This morning, we have looked at questions from the religious
leaders; and we have heard Jesus’ answers.
1. We are also taught today that we are not to get caught up in
the legalisms, and security of the old - when we may be challenged by
Jesus if He wants us to be using and doing the new.
2. How will you and I respond to Christ’s words in our own
hearts today? Like the Pharisees who caused conflict with Jesus, or
like the crowd who was truly amazed, and were ready to follow Him,
and to do what He said?
3. Today, the Son of Man also confronts us with a call to the
Kingdom. Will we tune it out? Or will we listen; and see how our
Lord wants us to take it, and apply it to how we are to be His servants,
in His Kingdom?
4. The Message from God’s Word is the same - it should
never change! But the methods in how we are to meet people with
Christ are changing. We need to be faithful and dedicated in sharing
that message as a part of His Kingdom in our world today!
PRAYER!
OUTLINE
JESUS BURSTS OLD WINESKINS
Mark 2:1-3:6
INTRODUCTION: Why isn’t that Broadway Project done yet? I
don’t like the inconvenience of the construction. Why is it taking so
long??
I. THE PEOPLE’S RESPONSE TO JESUS.
Notice the different responses to Jesus! 7 of them!
II. THE RELIGIOUS LEADER’S RESPONSE TO JESUS.
Jesus’ Action ------ Their Reaction!
What is the common theme? They are arousing a _______
____________ and ____________ against Jesus from the religious
leaders.
Two things deserve attention. First, notice the ____________
between the crowds response in 2:12 and the _____________ response
in 3:5-6.
Second, notice that the Pharisees take counsel with the ____________
- a most _______________ group to get together.
III. JESUS’ RESPONSE TO THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS.
Even in conflict, Jesus answers their “why” questions with _________
and ______________ that sends these men reeling for a better
come-back!
According to them and Jewish thought - for Jesus to forgive sins was
_____________ ____________ ! Only God forgives sins, and no man
could ever play the part of God!
Jesus claims ______________ and _______________ even over the
Sabbath - the most sacred institution of the Jews!!
“The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath; so the
Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” WOW!!
CONCLUSION: What is holding us back from partaking in the new;
when it might be more comfortable to keep using the old?
