Apicontent

“He also asked, “To what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use to present it? It is like a mustard seed that when sown in the ground, even though it is the smallest of all the seeds in the ground – when it is sown, it grows up, becomes the greatest of all garden plants, and grows large branches so that the wild birds can nest in its shade.”
So with many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear. He did not speak to them without a parable. But privately he explained everything to his own disciples.” —Mark 4:30-34

In our verses for today Jesus is teaching us that the work of grace is very small and mysterious in its beginnings, yet it flourishes greatly and considerably.Here Jesus likens the kingdom of God to a common mustard seed–the smallest of all seeds planted in the Palestinian ground. This was an annual plant that could reach a height of twelve to fifteen feet in but a few weeks. Similarly, the work of grace in a man’s life is at first a very small thing, but it grows and grows and grows! The kingdom of God on earth also had humble beginnings which will end greatly. Consider for a moment the original disciples: Never was there such a great undertaking by such a few. These men were responsible for fulfilling Jesus’ great commission and spread the kingdom of God to the ends of the earth through the power of the Holy Spirit:

“Then Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” —Matthew 28:18-20

Think for a moment of the differences between Jesus first and second earthly comings. When he was born in the manger, it seemed insignificant, perhaps even enigmatic. The beginning of God’s earthly kingdom–embodied in the presence of our Lord and Savior was no bigger than a mustard seed. And yet the gospel has continued to spread throughout the world, stretching to the furthermost corners of the earth. And as a result, His second coming will most assuredly surpass all kingdoms in glory, greatness, and power. At that time God’s kingdom will be very great indeed.

The Holy Spirit is given to every believer to empower and teach and He is training and equipping us to pass the baton to every subsequent generation until Christ’s second coming.

“This is what the Sovereign LORD says: “I will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and plant it. I will pluck from the top one of its tender twigs; I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. I will plant it on a high mountain of Israel, and it will raise branches and produce fruit and become a beautiful cedar. Every bird will live under it. Every winged creature will live in the shade of its branches. All the trees of the field will know that I am the LORD. I make the high tree low; I raise up the low tree. I make the green tree wither, and I make the dry tree sprout. I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will do it!’” —Ezekiel 17:22-24

“The one who has ears had better listen!” —Matthew 11:15

Take It to Heart

“God is the God of promise. He keeps His word, even when that seems impossible.” —Colin Urquhart

Further Reflections

“But He is the Living Word and His Word is a flashing, double-edged sword and He doesn’t write Himself into neat five-point outlines but He is like the wind–and He speaks in parables that subvert and poetry that ignites and metaphors that jolt and there is nothing safe or small or stiff about Him.” —Ann Voskamp

“Whenever God rules over the human heart as King, there is the kingdom of God established.” —Paul W. Harrison

“He also said, “The kingdom of God is like someone who spreads seed on the ground. He goes to sleep and gets up, night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. By itself the soil produces a crop, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. And when the grain is ripe, he sends in the sickle because the harvest has come.” —Mark 4:26-29

Jesus is teaching us in these verses the sure truth that undetected and without clamor, yet insuperably and without fail, God carries on His good work in the lives of those who believe. I am reminded of Paul’s words:

“I thank my God every time I remember you. I always pray with joy in my every prayer for all of you because of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 1:3-6

King David wrote similarly in the Psalms:

“The LORD avenges me. O LORD, your loyal love endures.
Do not abandon those whom you have made!” —Psalm 138:8

“No one overcomes the corruptions of his heart except by the enabling strength of the Spirit of God.” —Jerry Bridges

He who has begun a good work in us will most assuredly perfect it! We can be certain God will finish what He has begun. Our hope must be based solidly not on our own weak strength–for that will certainly fail us–but on the surety of the love of God–for that will never fail us. This confidence of the good work being completed within us will give us great comfort. The work of grace will be accomplished wherever it has been begun. The continuous work of grace in a life makes us more and more like Jesus and fits us rightly for the enjoyment of God. Wherever this good work has begun we can be sure God began it. We cannot begin it by ourselves because we are by very nature dead in our sins and trespasses. God alone makes alive what was once dead. I am reminded of Ezekiel’s amazing experience in the Valley of Dry Bones:

“The hand of the LORD was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and placed me in the midst of the valley, and it was full of bones. He made me walk all around among them. I realized there were a great many bones in the valley and they were very dry. He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said to him, “Sovereign LORD, you know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and tell them: ‘Dry bones, listen to the LORD's message. This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: Look, I am about to infuse breath into you and you will live. I will put tendons on you and muscles over you and will cover you with skin; I will put breath in you and you will live. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’”
So I prophesied as I was commanded. There was a sound when I prophesied – I heard a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to bone. As I watched, I saw tendons on them, then muscles appeared, and skin covered over them from above, but there was no breath in them.
He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, – prophesy, son of man – and say to the breath: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these corpses so that they may live.’” So I prophesied as I was commanded, and the breath came into them; they lived and stood on their feet, an extremely great army.” —Ezekiel 37:1-10

Through belief in Jesus, we are offered life in abundance! Jesus tells us in John that He came to give us life!

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.” —John 10:10

Take It to Heart

A.W. Tozer once said that we can have as much of God as we want. He is the One who gives us life that is truly life. When we hunger and thirst for His righteousness, He will fill us. Why would we want to avoid Him and His abiding peace and joy when we can have as much of Him as we want? God offers us life that is truly life in abundance! He promises us the fulfillment and purpose in life we all so greatly desire, and yet we often so wrongly go about searching for fulfillment in a myriad of other ways. However, ultimate and complete satisfaction only comes from the Savior.

“The real believers relentlessly believe that. The world or circumstances will try to dupe you differently–but it’s a law as irrefutable as gravity itself: no matter what—as much God as you want. Is there anything else worth wanting or having?” —Ann Voskamp

“He also said to them, “A lamp isn’t brought to be put under a basket or under a bed, is it? Isn’t it to be placed on a lampstand? For nothing is hidden except to be revealed, and nothing concealed except to be brought to light. If anyone has ears to hear, he had better listen!” And he said to them, “Take care about what you hear. The measure you use will be the measure you receive, and more will be added to you. For whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”
—Mark 4:21-25

Jesus is clear–believers are to let their light shine before men, fueled by His mercy and love. Our spheres are to see our good deeds and praise the Father in heaven. He who gives the power also gets the glory–the light within us is to point to the One who put it there. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said:

“You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.”
—Matthew 5:14-16

A light is meant to both shine and give direction. Light also dispels darkness. It unmasks the hidden, bringing out in the open those things that are concealed and secret. We do those around us and ourselves no favors when we hide the light of our words and deeds. In our age of tolerance we often muffle the truth in an effort to keep peace and not ruffle feathers. Often we choose not to refute with truth and mercy thinking our lack of words and actions to be Christ-like when in reality we are driven by fear or indifference or weakness or ignorance or some other wrong motivation.

We carry around in our jars of clay a precious treasure, do we allow others to see it?

“But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that the extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.”
—2 Corinthians 4:7

“To believe in the God over us and not in the God within us – that would be a powerless and fruitless faith.” -Phillips Brooks

In the last sentence of our verses for today, Jesus is basically telling us: “Use it or lose it.” As believers, we are often guilty of sitting in a “holy huddle” feasting upon God’s truth and yet never pouring it out to the world. We must allow the Holy Spirit to make the Gospel come alive through our actions or words. We are meant to be conduits of His love and grace!

In the Parable of the Talents, makes this same point:“Someone asked, ‘Will the heathen who have never heard the Gospel be saved?’ It is more a question—Whether we—who have the Gospel and fail to give it to those who have not—can be saved.” -Charles Spurgeon

“Then the one who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Sir, I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered, ‘Evil and lazy slave! So you knew that I harvest where I didn’t sow and gather where I didn’t scatter? Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received my money back with interest! Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten. For the one who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless slave into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
—Matthew 25:24-30

Take It to Heart

Believers are to be conformed to the image of Jesus leaving the “aroma of Christ” everywhere in their wake:

“For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing – ”
—2 Corinthians 2:15

We are to radiate and point others to a path of wholeness that is achieved through His power. Our influence is to be evident, like a city on a hill or a lamp upon a stand. Is your sphere of influence a different place because you bring Jesus there?

“The experts in the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and, “By the ruler of demons he casts out demons!” So he called them and spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom will not be able to stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan rises against himself and is divided, he is not able to stand and his end has come. But no one is able to enter a strong man’s house and steal his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can thoroughly plunder his house. I tell you the truth, people will be forgiven for all sins, even all the blasphemies they utter. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, but is guilty of an eternal sin because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.” —Mark 3:22-30

First His family says “He is out of His mind” and now the teachers of the law are claiming that Jesus is demonically possessed and driving out demons with Satan’s power. It is amazing how low people can go when they are seeking to destroy someone, is it not? There was no arguing the fact that Christ had cast out demons–proof was present! Therefore, the enemy sought to twist and distort our Lord’s miraculous works. Satan never voluntarily abandons his possessions. Someone stronger, Someone with more authority, must come and overpower him. That Someone is Jesus, our Victor!

Satan is a creature of vengeance, doing anything he can to keep us from rightly worshipping and serving God. He is always on the prowl, trying to make us like one of his own. If he can’t get us to stop our worship of the Almighty, he attempts to diminish or distract us from Him. He hates God being worshipped because he craves desires to have that worship for himself. Indeed, he desires to be God. The five “I will’s” of the devil are synonymous with the “I will’s” of the King of Babylon presented in Isaiah–Satan being the real power behind that pagan king:

“Look how you have fallen from the sky, O shining one, son of the dawn!
You have been cut down to the ground, O conqueror of the nations!
You said to yourself, “I will climb up to the sky.
Above the stars of El I will set up my throne.
I will rule on the mountain of assembly on the remote slopes of Zaphon.
I will climb up to the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High!”
—Isaiah 14:12-14

Remember as well that the adversary tempted Jesus with a vain effort to get Him to fall prostrate at his unholy feet:

“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their grandeur. And he said to him, “I will give you all these things if you throw yourself to the ground and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: ‘You are to worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and began ministering to his needs.” —Matthew 4:8-10

Jesus counters the teachers of the law’s inane accusations with reason. Rather than avoiding or shunning the opposition, our Lord refutes their charges directly: What would it possibly behoove Satan to fight against himself? How would his kingdom of darkness stand much less advance if he were in constant opposition battling evil against evil?

Satan–depicted by Jesus as the strong man–whose houses are filled with sin, sickness, sorrow, and death, does not give up without a battle. It is he who must be tied up in order for the captive to be set free. Jesus disarmed Satan’s power with the cross. The victory belongs to all believers! We have life in Jesus! All sin carries with it a death sentence–death to relationships, death to fullness of joy, death to character, death to life. When you really think about it, what does anyone ever gain from sin but destruction and death?

Take It to Heart

All the sins against God are open to God’s forgiveness with one exception: blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. In light of the context in which Jesus gives this warning, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit seems to have more to do with a prevailing attitude of defiant hostility toward God–a rejection of His saving power–rather than an isolated act or utterance. It is to prefer darkness after being exposed to the light. It is a persistent attitude of willful unbelief. It is sadly sin against the last remedy, rendering it unpardonable.

“And even though you were dead in your transgressions and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he nevertheless made you alive with him, having forgiven all your transgressions. He has destroyed what was against us, a certificate of indebtedness expressed in decrees opposed to us. He has taken it away by nailing it to the cross. Disarming the rulers and authorities, he has made a public disgrace of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” —Colossians 2:13-15

Further Reflections

“No more let sin and sorrow grow. Nor thorns infest the ground. He comes to make His blessings flow. Far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found. Far as, far as, the curse is found.” —Isaac Watts

“Now Jesus went home, and a crowd gathered so that they were not able to eat. When his family heard this they went out to restrain him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” —Mark 3:20-21

To be sure, “wounds from a friend can be trusted” (Proverbs 27:6) but it is certainly as true that insults from those in our family can bite bitterly! The “sticks and stones” ditty saying “words will never hurt me” that we are so well grounded in is far from reality. Here our Lord’s family members, His nearest and dearest, those whom should have known Him best, dish out verbiage which had to blister. His family bought into what others had espoused regarding Jesus’ zeal and reasoned He had gone mad. Whether their intent was good or bad, their words still had to sting our Lord. There appears to be quite the disconnect between our Lord’s family and the words they surely knew from Proverbs. At the very least these verses were not reverberating in their ears or different words would have been flowing from their tongues:

“A person has joy in giving an appropriate answer, and a word at the right time – how good it is!” —Proverbs 15:23

The words of the Prophet Isaiah regarding the suffering Servant come to mind–surely our Lord endured much undeserved insult and hardship while His feet walked this earth:

“I offered my back to those who attacked, my jaws to those who tore out my beard; I did not hide my face from insults and spitting. But the Sovereign LORD helps me, so I am not humiliated. For that reason I am steadfastly resolved; I know I will not be put to shame.” —Isaiah 50:6-7

As Jesus humbly obeyed his heavenly Father, his actions were misconstrued by others. How painful. We should not be surprised when this happens to us as well and we must be sober in our discernment of others as well. What call has God placed on another’s life that may appear skewed in our eyes? I am reminded of the missionary Amy Carmichael’s words: “It is not at all that we think that ours is the only way of living, but we are sure that it is the way meant for us.”

The crowds in our verses for today continued to flock to Jesus, pressing in on and surrounding our Lord and His disciples so much so that they had had no opportunity to even eat. Yet we discover the Master did not shut the door in their faces nor did He ever turn any petitioner away. Instead, we find Him unhurriedly and graciously bidding them welcome. These crowds presented an opportunity for Jesus to fulfill His mission.

Take It to Heart

“Who will be utterly other-worldly, utterly single-hearted, utterly consumed. Don’t think I am that myself! I fall far short of my own standard. But that is what I want to be, and that is what we must be if we are to stand the strain and conquer.” —Amy Carmichael

“ Therefore consider carefully how you life – not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is.” —Ephesians 5:15-17

“Now Jesus went up the mountain and called for those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve (whom he named apostles), so that they would be with him and he could send them to preach and to have authority to cast out demons. He appointed twelve: To Simon he gave the name Peter; to James and his brother John, the sons of Zebedee, he gave the name Boanerges (that is, “sons of thunder”); and Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” —Mark 3:13-19

In the account of this same incident in the Gospel of Luke we discover the reason our Lord went up on the mountainside–to pray!

“Now it was during this time that Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and he spent all night in prayer to God. When morning came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter), and his brother Andrew; and James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.” —Luke 6:12-16

Prayer was Jesus’ holy habit–early in the morning, late at night, and all through the night, through his life on earth we see Jesus taking time to talk to His Father. Spending time alone with God, Jesus was not out to impress men, rather He desired communion, direction, and strength from His Father. I am reminded of our Jesus’ Words in the Sermon on the Mount:

“Whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray while standing in synagogues and on street corners so that people can see them. Truly I say to you, they have their reward! But whenever you pray, go into your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.” —Matthew 6:5-6

Prayer was never meant to be a liturgical performance whereby one sets out to eloquently espouse religious jargon for the benefit of man’s ears. Prayer is conversation and communion with the I AM, the great Creator God! When we forgo this privilege we end up wandering around in fog. We are the losers when we pursue our own imaginations, rather than listening for God’s still small voice for direction, power, and timing.

God intended from the beginning that we would be in a relationship with Him. From Adam on it was God’s desire and design for man to walk with Him in holy communion. When our first father failed, God cried out to him in the Garden, “Where are you” (even though God knew, he wanted Adam to answer Him). God always presses us to confess and repent of our wrong doings for our own good. The worst possible place for anyone to find themselves is outside of God’s perfect and pleasing will. Unfortunately, many of us do find ourselves in precisely that place due to our prayerless, rushing ways. We are to wait upon the Lord for His guidance.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight.” —Proverbs 3:5-6

Take It to Heart

This is why we must take time to pray. Not just over monumental things–like the selection of the twelve–but over everything else as well. God delights in hearing us talk to Him!

Amy Carmichael’s short prayers are a great model for us:

“Your patience Lord.”
“Your peace Lord.”
“Your grace Lord.”
“Your kindness Lord.”
“Your joy Lord.”
“Your goodness Lord.”
“Your direction Lord.”
Constantly pray. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Further Reflections

“Our attitude of surrender and dependence upon God is best evidenced by our prayer life.” —Chip Ingram

“A prayerless soul is a Christless soul.” —Charles Spurgeon

“The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.” —Samuel Chadwick

“Then Jesus entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. They watched Jesus closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they could accuse him. So he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Stand up among all these people.” Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath, or evil, to save a life or destroy it?”
But they were silent. After looking around at them in anger, grieved by the hardness of their hearts, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. So the Pharisees went out immediately and began plotting with the Herodians, as to how they could assassinate him.” —Mark 3:1-6

I love the way Jesus responds to these accusers. Fully aware of the opposition’s thoughts and intents in searching for ways to accuse Him, Jesus here openly gives them what they are looking for–a front and center healing on the Sabbath. But as our Lord confronts these religious leaders’ authority, their vengeance against Him is fanned into a roaring flame.

No healing permitted on the Lord’s Day unless it was a life threatening circumstance–this was the rule for these pious Pharisees. I suppose they also made the decisions as to what constituted a life threatening circumstance. If the problem could wait a day or so, it should wait a day or so–at least according to their interpretation of the law. If Jesus healed the man with the shriveled hand, He would certainly be worthy of death in their eyes because He would have violated their Sabbath rules. Never mind that our Lord’s actions promoted this invalid’s welfare. Never mind that our Lord’s actions were inherently good and virtuous. Jesus’ character stood in stark contrast to the Pharisees’ tyrannical rule. What they considered breaking the Sabbath law, God considered doing good. They took the commandment in Exodus and added to it–tweaking it to suit their fancy:

“So you must keep the Sabbath, for it is holy for you. Everyone who defiles it must surely be put to death; indeed, if anyone does any work on it, then that person will be cut off from among his people. Six days work may be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to the LORD; anyone who does work on the Sabbath day must surely be put to death. The Israelites must keep the Sabbath by observing the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the Israelites forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.” —Exodus 31:14-17

Never deterred from His mission by the threats of the religious elite, Jesus told the man to stretch out his stand in front of everyone. There would be no hiding of the good deed performed–the light would be on the miraculous. The Sabbath was made for restoration and restoration about to occur at the hands of the Master. The glory would go to God. I am reminded of the words in Jeremiah’s prayer:

“You did miracles and amazing deeds in the land of Egypt which have had lasting effect. By this means you gained both in Israel and among humankind a renown that lasts to this day.” —Jeremiah 32:20

Our Lord sets up the healing by asking the Pharisees two rhetorical questions: “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” They were speechless! Deeply distressed over their hardened and stubborn hearts, Jesus heals the man.

Take It to Heart

Jesus came to refresh the weary and satisfy the faint-hearted. He came to do good. He came to heal. He came to bring hope. Sadly for these Pharisees, they would have none of it. It is a great grief indeed for our Lord to see people bent on their own destruction and ruin. Like our Master, we must never deny ourselves the satisfaction of serving God and doing good, even though offense may be wrongly and unjustly taken by our actions.

“I, the LORD, probe into people’s minds. I examine people’s hearts. I deal with each person according to how he has behaved. I give them what they deserve based on what they have done.” —Jeremiah 17:10

Further Reflections

“Pride not only withdraws the heart from God, but lifts it up against God.” —Thomas Manton

“Jesus was going through the grain fields on a Sabbath, and his disciples began to pick some heads of wheat as they made their way. So the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is against the law on the Sabbath?”
He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry – how he entered the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the sacred bread, which is against the law for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to his companions?”
Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath. For this reason the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” —Mark 2:23-28

Walking on a path thorough a grain field on a Sabbath morning the Lord’s disciples began picking heads of grain to fill their empty stomachs. This was a legitimate action according to the law laid out in Deuteronomy, yet the Pharisees had made this deed a law breaker. The disciple’s were going against the tradition of these elders. The Pharisees regarded Jesus’ disciples as “working” and therefore they were breaking the Sabbath Law. Picky, picky, picky–the Pharisees delved so much in minutia they missed the truth all together. Fencing in the Law of the Sabbath with at least thirty-nine of their man made prohibited activities, they defined this act as “reaping grain.” Their narrow interpretation of the Law blurred God’s intention. The spirit of the Law was a higher priority than ceremonial regulations. Ritual observances must give way to moral obligations. I am reminded of Micah’s words regarding God’s requirements of His servants:

“He has told you, O man, what is good, and what the LORD really wants from you: He wants you to carry out justice, to love faithfulness, and to live obediently before your God.” —Micah 6:8

Demanding an explanation of the disciple’s behavior, the Pharisees were quick, as well as smug, to point out to Jesus what they considered a trespass. As always, Jesus’ reply comes straight from Scripture. He reminds those who were pointing fingers of the actions of King David and his companions when eating the consecrated bread of the tabernacle. This is an incredibly important point Jesus is making here through example. We must back up what we believe with the truth of God’s Word.

“Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.” —2 Timothy 3:16-17

Take It to Heart

The Sabbath was established for man as a divine and sacred institution to be embraced as a most delightful benefit and privilege. It was never intended to be perceived or experienced as a chore or a drudge. Jesus tells us the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. It was a day set forth to replenish, restore, refresh, and repair Who, may I ask, does not have a need for this? God has directed us to rest from his work one day in seven. Jesus here affirms this while at the same time smashing the legalism the Pharisees had poured into its observance. Jesus says He is the Lord of the Sabbath. Jesus is the source of the deep peace we desperately need.

“The word Sabbath means a deep rest, a deep peace. It’s a near synonym for Shalom–a state of wholeness and flourishing in every dimension of life. When Jesus says, ‘I am the Lord of the Sabbath,’ Jesus means that he is the Sabbath. He is the source of the deep rest we need. He has come to completely change the way we rest. The one-day-a-week rest we take is just a taste of the deep divine rest we need, and Jesus is its source.” —Timothy Keller

“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage – I have conquered the world.” —John 16:33

“Jesus went out again by the sea. The whole crowd came to him, and he taught them. As he went along, he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax booth. “Follow me,” he said to him. And he got up and followed him.
As Jesus was having a meal in Levi’s home, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the experts in the law and the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
When Jesus heard this he said to them, “Those who are healthy don’t need a physician, but those who are sick do. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” —Mark 2:13-17

Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners! Those who humbly and willingly acknowledge their need for a Savior receive our Lord’s gracious hand of forgiveness and mercy. Prior to saving faith in Jesus, we all fall into the category of a needy “sinner”. Unfortunately, those righteous in their own eyes often remain unaware of their need. Those who are full of themselves and their own religiosity have no room in their hearts for a Savior. Such was the case of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law in our verses for today.

In our verses for today, once again we find a large crowd assembled around the Master. Ever focused on His mission, Jesus begins to teach them. Walking beside the lake our Lord spies Levi (also known as Matthew), a hated tax collector.

Jesus calls out the now familiar “Follow me” and immediately Levi follows Him–obedience without hesitation. I wonder if our obedience occurs without hesitation.

Levi was a Jewish tax official employed by Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee. Often the officials in these positions were involved in fraud and scandal, bribery and extortion, and therefore they were despised by the Jews. Jesus sought out the lowly and the despised and willingly offered His hand of mercy. Sin and scandal prior to conversion is no bar to mercy and grace in our Lord’s eyes.

Levi invited our Lord and His disciples to a feast at his home and included some of his “sinner” comrades. When we have good news, we want to share it with others! This did not go over well with the religious leaders of the day: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” (verse 16).

In every age we have men and women who use their religion for their own purposes. The Pharisees were the elite, the highly admired, the rule makers, and they relished in their positions. They mixed a pious faith with power and pride which resulted in a bitter and toxic amalgamation. Their hearts were as hard as stone, their condition dead, and they were too full of themselves to discern it. This was why Jesus was called them “hypocrites,” “blind guides,” and “white-washed tombs.”  Matthew records our Lord’s words:

“But woe to you, experts in the law and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You keep locking people out of the kingdom of heaven! For you neither enter nor permit those trying to enter to go in.” —Matthew 23:13

“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple is bound by nothing. But whoever swears by the gold of the temple is bound by the oath.” —Matthew 23:16

“Woe to you, experts in the law and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs that look beautiful on the outside but inside are full of the bones of the dead and of everything unclean.” —Matthew 23:27

Before we get too fat and sassy and come down hard on these religious leaders, we should examine our own hearts. Do we look down on others thinking we are better? Do we relish man’s praise over God’s? Do we stay herded in our holy huddles, holding our religious club meetings? Do we follow tradition or follow Jesus? We must pay careful attention to our own hearts lest our Jesus directs those “Woe’s” at us as well. Remember the lukewarm Church of Laodicea Jesus chastised in Revelation and His command to them:

“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” —Revelation 3:17

Take It to Heart

“All those I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent! Listen! I am standing at the door and knocking! If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come into his home and share a meal with him, and he with me.” —Revelation 3:19-20

“The human mind is more deceitful than anything else. It is incurably bad. Who can understand it? I, the Lord, probe into people’s minds. I examine people’s hearts. I deal with each person according to how he has behaved. I give them what they deserve based on what they have done.” —Jeremiah 17:9-10

Further Reflections

“This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them! ” —1 Timothy 1:15

“I made myself available to those who did not ask for me; I appeared to those who did not look for me. I said, ‘Here I am! Here I am!’ to a nation that did not invoke my name.” —Isaiah 65:1

“Now some of the experts in the law were sitting there, turning these things over in their minds: “Why does this man speak this way? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Now immediately, when Jesus realized in his spirit that they were contemplating such thoughts, he said to them, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up, take your stretcher, and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,” – he said to the paralytic – “I tell you, stand up, take your stretcher, and go home.” And immediately the man stood up, took his stretcher, and went out in front of them all. They were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” —Mark 2:6-12

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” -Jesus, John 10:10Shock waves spread throughout the crowd as the paralytic picked up his mat and walked home. What a dramatic scene–leaving those present–including the teachers of the law–both wide-eyed and wide mouthed! A miraculous event had just occurred–something too hard for mere man to accomplish–the finger marks of God were the only explanation for this man’s healing. I am reminded of God’s Word to Sarah in Genesis when she laughed out loud upon hearing she would have a child in her old age:

“The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child when I am old?’ Is anything impossible for the LORD? I will return to you when the season comes round again and Sarah will have a son.” —Genesis 18:13-14

Considering our limitations, isn’t it comforting to know that nothing is too hard for God? Offended by Jesus’ words of forgiveness, the religious leaders present–in a surly and contemptuous tone–regarded our Lord as a blasphemer. He was talking as if He was God! This was a severe and sinful affront, punishable by death from stoning. Knowing their thoughts, Jesus confronts their hostile accusations. Over and over again in Scripture we are told our Lord knew the thoughts of those around Him. He needs no human help in evaluating people, He is aware of what is in one of us–that is why He came–to give us back life!

God’s powers are inseparable–the One who knows the thoughts of men can certainly forgive sins as well as heal the lame. Thoughts of talk being cheap swirled through the heads of the teachers of the law, surmising that Jesus had claimed to forgive sins because it was easier than healing the man. They were about to have the proverbial pie in their faces when–in obedience to Jesus’ Word–the paralytic up and walked home! Jesus proved His power to forgive sins by demonstrating His power to heal. There could be no doubt in their minds that the Son of Man possessed the achieving power He rightly claimed. Unfortunately, the truth turned their hearts even harder, they were simply unwilling to believe and embrace it. But this truth about Jesus was proclaimed in the Old Testament by the prophet Isaiah:

“I, I am the one who blots out your rebellious deeds for my sake; your sins I do not remember.” —Isaiah 43:25

Micah also said:

“Who is a God like you? Who forgives sin and pardons the rebellion of those who remain among his people? Who does not stay angry forever, but delights in showing loyal love?” —Micah 7:18

In the New Testament John tells us:

“He himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for our sins but also for the whole world.” —1 John 2:2

And the response of the crowd?

“And immediately the man stood up, took his stretcher, and went out in front of them all. They were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” —Mark 2:12

Take It to Heart

“Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.” —Thomas V. Moore

Jesus knows what is in our hearts–that’s why He came–to give us back life. Forgiveness of sins is a divine miracle of grace.

“Salvation means that we are brought to the place where we are able to receive something from God on the authority of Jesus Christ, namely, forgiveness of sins … Forgiveness is the divine miracle of grace.” —Oswald Chambers

Further Reflections

Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man’s testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man. —John 2:23-25