Friend and Lord

Mark 2:13-17- Jesus Calls Levi Tax collectors were openly despised and hated. They were grouped together with thieves and murderers. They were considered traitors against their own people, collecting money for the oppressive Roman government – and making a profit for themselves. v.14. Jesus called a tax collector, Levi, to be his disciple. No one would choose a tax collector – Jesus calls all people out of sin and into relationship with him. Application: Jesus uses ordinary people to build his extraordinary kingdom.

Friend of Sinners - God’s radical grace Jesus eats with sinners like they’re friends – because they are. Jesus goes in to dine with sinners while the scribes stood outside in judgment, erecting distinctions and barriers. The scribes remained outside, standing in self-righteous judgement. Jesus, though truly holy, went inside, and sat and ate in love.

“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mk 2:17b)

If they forsake their sin and follow Jesus, it will not be to gain Jesus’ favor but because Jesus has loved them first, even in their sin. As Jesus sat and looked around the table, he knew some of them would dine with him at the wedding feast at the end of days. Some would remain in their sin.

Points of the passage: 1. Jesus ‘went in’ to be with sinners. 2. The scribes ‘stood outside’ in judgment. 3. Jesus came to call sinners out of sin into relationship with himself.

Application: • If we would follow Jesus: o We will grow in love for people o We will “go in” to their lives o We will go not to be liked, but to love (not to participate in their sin, but to show them the way to Jesus)

Mark 2:18-22 – Question About Fasting v. 18. John’s disciples and the Pharisees asked why Jesus’ disciples do not fast.’ v. 19. Fasting is a somber activity – three main reasons the Jews fasted: Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), national tragedies, personal seeking God

Jesus: “this isn’t time for fasting, but for celebration – the bridegroom is here.” OT refers to God as Israel’s husband (Isa, Eze, Hos). Jesus refers to himself as so.

v. 20. The bridegroom will be taken - Jesus introduces into the wedding metaphor There will be times when Jesus is hidden – that will be time in life for fasting.

vv.21-22 New and Old. Jesus doesn’t fit into your box. New patch and old cloth. New wine and old wineskin. The new patch and new wine are incompatible with the old. Jesus is the new patch/wine. He is not an add-on to your life.

APPLICATION: The question is not whether or not you’ll make room for him your life. The question is whether you will forsake your life and join him.

Mark 2:23-28 – Lord of the Sabbath vv. 23-24. Two observances defined Jews above all else: circumcision & Sabbath Sabbath attests to God as Creator and the divine order of the universe. The Pharisees complain that Jesus’ disciples are harvesting by picking grains.

vv.25-26. Jesus reminds them of 1 Sam 21 when David’s men entered the tabernacle and ate the consecrated bread. Jesus didn’t raise the incident to plead for an exception. He is inviting a comparison between himself and King David.

There were Eighteen Benedictions recited in the synagogue. Part of it read, “Cause the Branch of David thy servant speedily to sprout, and let his horn be exalted by thy salvation.”

vv.27-28 The Sabbath was instituted to bless people to rest in God. God instituted the Sabbath. Jesus, as its Lord, puts himself in the place of God. 

RECAP • Jesus uses ordinary people to build his extraordinary kingdom • Jesus sets an example for us to go and love sinners • Jesus doesn’t fit into your box. Will you forsake your life to join him?