Bucking the System

Mark 2
Jesus is making it clear that He will not be like the other rabbis. He is bringing something new to the table. In chapter 1 people noted that He taught with "authority." In chapter 2 He takes this to a new level.

While I love the story of the man let down through the roof (and there is a ton of theological fodder for discussion there!), it is the next section that caught my attention today. I love how Jesus - with a crowd following Him - picks a hated tax collector as another disciple. Then Jesus goes to his house for a party! Jesus hung out with the rif-raf! My favorite verses of this section are 15-17 where Pharisees get their proverbial panties in a wad over Jesus' eating companions and Jesus makes it clear He is not going to do life by their rules.

God sent Him to reach out to those who thought they weren't good enough. He reaches out to those who think God has (or will) overlook them. A little later in the chapter Jesus really gets the Pharisees goads when He says that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. WHAT???!!! You mean the rules are less about sin management and more about helping us connect with God?

There are 2 ways to read this...
1) You are one of those who doesn't think God notices you. Or worse, He doesn't approve of you and never will. This passage reminds us that this line of thinking just doesn't work with God.

2) You are one of the Pharisees and you don't even realize that you are condemning the people Jesus is having dinner with (and He is not condemning them, just you!).
How ever you need to take this passage, I hope you will be open to God's voice today. Who knows, it might come from the cigar store instead of the Christian book store...

Under the Mercy,
Jason