(Begin by reading chapter one as if you are a messenger from Mark. Better yet, memorize it and share it as if you are Mark himself).
In chapter two of Mark we have four more vignettes in Jesus’ life recorded for us. In each of these Jesus expresses his authority in both freeing and disturbing ways: freeing for those who have faith, disturbing for those do not believe.
Here are the four vignettes:
1. The Paralytic and Jesus authority to forgive sins
2. The call of Levi (Matthew) and Jesus association with tax collectors and sinners
3. Fasting and Jesus discussion about old and new matters
4. The Sabbath and Jesus, son of David and son of man as Lord of the Sabbath.
As we consider what Mark tells us here about Jesus, several aspects come into view.
So much could be discussed about each one of these vignettes in his life that several sermons could be written for each one of them. But instead of focusing on the details of any particular one, I’d like us to notice the overall import of these events in his life. We will also notice how they impact us and our relationships today.
Look at these two major viewpoints and we will cover them in order:
1. The attraction of Jesus… or Finding Freedom in faith
2. The objections to Jesus… or Finding Fault without faith
1. The attraction of freedom by faith
Mark records the amazing attraction Jesus has on many people. From the onset of his ministry he calls followers who leave behind jobs and security and attach themselves to him with bonds of loyalty. There is something fresh, free, powerful, caring, revolutionary and extraordinary about Jesus. Jesus opens our eyes to see the presence of God. In Jesus own presence the kingdom of God encroaches on Satan’s territory – Jesus casts out demons and heals diseases. He forgives sins. He eats with sinners. He doesn’t fast on schedule. Even the Sabbath law bows to him! Jesus answers his opponents with clear reason and authority. Who is this man!
Mark wants us to see Jesus. Do you see him? What do you see in Jesus? What did those see who followed him in Galilee? Look at him. Look at them! He comes on the scene saying and doing things that draw such crowds people are tearing up the roof to get access to him. They go where ever he goes. He’s like a magnet drawing people toward him. What is it about him?
The attraction of Jesus still exists. Think about us here today. Signal Mountain, Tennessee, January 15, 2006, here we are gathered together in this place on Sunday morning in the name of Jesus Christ. You’ve heard the call to follow this same Jesus that Mark is telling us about in this gospel. You’ve answered his call. That’s why you are here! At least that’s why a lot of us are here. Jesus is still drawing, attracting, and calling followers to come. He’s still doing this today! And now he uses me and you in the church to extend the call! Remember the end of the Bible: “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” and let everyone who hears say, “Come!”
Think about these words of Jesus. (Matthew 11) Jesus said, “28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Is it true? Is the way of the cross actually the way of rest for our souls? Can the yoke of the crucified Savior who calls us to come take up our cross and follow him actually be called a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light? Jesus issues a call that is both inviting and disturbing at the same time. The answer of faith is, “Yes!” For all who answer the call with faith and follow in submission to the will of Jesus Christ, “Yes!” The answer of unbelief is, “No way!” But how can this call be for rest, easy and light?
I’m reminded of the song by Rufus Wainwright, “He ain’t heavy, He’s my brother.” Love lightens loads. The love of God, which is the greatest power of the universe, has a way of lightening the load and freeing the spirit and refreshing the weary. Remember Isaiah 40: They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up on wings like eagles. They shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not faint. Jesus is the one who gives us this love and this life! Jesus Christ not only is he the Lord who calls us, he is the one who walks with us along the path of life. Jesus delivers us from sin and defends us from our accusers; he frees us from oppression and refreshes us with the Holy Spirit. Jesus not only calls us, he cares for us. One thing shines out in all of these episodes of Jesus: his care for the needy. His concern for the sinner. His defense of the disciples. Jesus cares! He cares about the will of God and the welfare of man. This above all else defines his words and actions. But not everyone appreciated his care and calling.
2. The objections of fault finding because of unbelief
Jesus attracted crowds. Like a great net thrown out into the sea he drew in all kinds of fish. Some were good, but some were not. Jesus drew the faithful to become followers, he also drew the fire of the Pharisees who refused to accept him. He was too radical.
Besides that, Jesus was an embarrassment to the religious authorities of his day. For at least three reasons: first he didn’t do things the way they thought he should, (Jesus did not fit into their religious boundaries), his new wine was impossible to contain in the old wineskins. Second, he attracted multitudes of all of the wrong kinds of people and was willing to associate with them in disturbing ways. Third, when they voiced their objections to Jesus instead of listening to them, he answered their objections with reasoning that made them look foolish.
Through the eyes of faith, Jesus looks like the presence of God. Through the eyes of unbelief, Jesus looks like a threat and a dangerous charismatic revolutionary.
What were their objections? Jesus is saying things only God should be saying. This is true, but are they ready to recognize just who he is? No. The demons do. Remember what happened in chapter one when Jesus confronted demon possessed people? He wouldn’t let them talk because they knew who he was! It is interesting that demons could recognize him, but these religious scholars couldn’t. Hmmm. They were trained into a way of thinking that excluded Jesus.
Jesus would not be tamed by the traditions of the day that stood in the way of reaching out to sinners. Jesus defended his authority to forgive sins, he defended his relationships with tax collectors and sinners, he defended the celebration of his presence that kept his followers from fasting on schedule, and he defended his disciples when they did what appeared to the Pharisees to be illegal on the Sabbath.
Look at the fault finding nature of unbelief exhibited by the Pharisees and scribes in this chapter. What is their problem? They can’t see who Jesus is. They are blinded by unbelief. Don’t you know that they would love to have a man like Jesus on their side? They would love it if he could just be converted to be a Pharisee and join in with their party and help enforce their religious tenants. But Jesus isn’t a follower of anyone but the Father. Jesus does exactly what God, the Father wants him to do and says exactly what the Father wants him to say and says it exactly like the Father wants him to say it. The Pharisees would love to have Jesus follow them. But this will never happen. Jesus didn’t come to live up to their standards; he came to live up to God’s perfect standard. And he did.
People still find fault with Jesus today. Some of them come to church, but they’ve never come to Christ. Religion is an interesting thing. It can open your eyes or it can blind them. James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
But there is a religion that is blinding and useless. James 1 again: 26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.
Your tongue and your heart and your care for those in need will tell if your religion is worth something or not. Does your religion center on serving or just coming to services?
Look at Jesus again. Now look at the Pharisees. What do you see? When you look at Jesus and then look in the mirror of your life, do you look more like Jesus and his followers or the Pharisees?
Many of these Pharisees are going to eventually turn their hearts over to Jesus after they have crucified him. Many of them are going to see themselves in the light of truth and repent of their religious blindness and hypocrisy… it will happen after Jesus is raised from the dead and sends his Holy Spirit on these who followed him at first. But, listen to me now. Many of them will never get past their religious blindness. They will resist Jesus until it is too late. They will die in their sins and face eternity without hope, without a Savior, doomed by their own stubborn unbelief.
Remember, you don’t follow Jesus on your terms, but on his terms. You can’t follow Jesus Christ unless you are willing to submit to his authority and commands.
There is great attraction to Jesus by faith, there is great objection to Jesus in unbelief.
Are you willing to set aside objections to Jesus today? Open your eyes of faith and see the glorious attraction of the Lord. Behold the King who loves you so much he gave up his life on the cross to save you. Bow before the Lord of life and love while there is hope. Come to him now, today. Don’t delay.
