Mark 3:1-2 - February 27, 2010

Mk. 3:1-2 “Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. 2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath.

This passage emphasizes the reality that for each one of us there is always someone watching. In this case it was the skeptics and the critics. Jesus attracted the attention of both the godly seekers of truth and the hypocritical religious leaders who were more concerned about protecting their position of influence and their control over the people of Israel than they were about truly finding God. Jesus left no doubt about his opinion of these leaders and their hardness of heart. In John 8:42-44 he confronted them directly by saying "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire.” It was this audience of people that became the source of intense scrutiny and persecution. They watched him constantly to find points of accusation against Him concerning His life and doctrine.

At the same time there was an entirely different audience watching Christ. The humble and hungry multitudes were amazed at the new things they were seeing in the life of Jesus and as a result they were constantly watching to see not only His life and teaching, but to see the outcome of His many confrontations with the religious leaders. Many people were watching to see the contrasts between His life and the lives of these leaders that had been ruling over them for so long. Their hunger for freedom awakened a hope that they would see a different view of God.

It is important to remember that in the same way there are people who are watching you in this same way. Some want to accuse, some want to see if what you possess is real and still others are looking for something to believe in, someone to follow. You may say “why look at me…I am just a normal Christian.” Well, the truth is that a normal Christian is an abnormal person! To truly live like Christ is to live in a manner that is set apart from the things of the world. If we are really living by a biblical standard then our lives present such a contrast to the standards of those around us that it provokes people to watch, whether we are doing any great and mighty work or just living a pure and God centered life. For this reason, if you wear the name of Christ it is incredibly important how you live. If you wear the name of Christ people are watching, some to accuse and some with the hope that in you they will find something real, something worth living for. Never underestimate the power of your life! Never underestimate the influence you have just for living as a godly example. People are watching you to see if what you have is real!

Mark 2:23-27 - February 26, 2010

Mark 2:23-27 “One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grain-fields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. 24 The Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?" 25 He answered, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? 26 In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions." 27 Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."

Have you ever experienced the view from outside of the box? Religion without the Spirit of God giving life to it is like a box that contains and restrains the work of God in ways that it was never intended to be limited. The Apostle Paul addresses this principle in contrasting the difference between living by the law and living by the direction of the Spirit while writing to the church in 2 Cor 3:6 “He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant-not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills , but the Spirit gives life.” Paul identifies very powerfully the death that comes when we relate to the Word of God without applying it in the spiritually responsive way that it was intended.

During the time of Christ the Pharisees and other leaders were constantly enforcing the letter of the law, holding the people hostage to the particulars of individual passages while neglecting the spirit in which they were written. The commands of God and the teachings of scripture were intended to provide for us a context for our conscience to operate through, not to become a bondage that limited the operation of our conscience. As a result Jesus’ responsiveness to the Spirit of God directing His conscience was constantly creating tension between Him and the religious leaders who were still inside their limiting box.

Within the laws of nature there are routinely opposing laws that are in tension with one another. The law of gravity may be opposed by the law of lift in aerodynamics and it may be opposed by the law of buoyancy in regard to the floatation of objects in water. In each case the proper application of the laws of lift or buoyancy allow them to operate momentarily as a higher law than the law of gravity. They are applied to each situation as circumstances dictate their appropriateness. This same principle is true in the right application of spiritual law and this is the point of the letter killing and the Spirit giving life. In essence the Pharisees forbid any application of a responsive relationship to the law of gravity and as a result the people were not given freedom to fly! The Pharisees were threatened by the freedom that a responsive relationship to the commands of God would create. If the people are given freedom to respond to circumstances with the possibility that a higher law may be in application within a circumstance then they cannot be so easily controlled by the manipulations of the leaders and so the leaders teach conformity to rule rather than responsiveness to God.

One of the primary goals of Jesus’ earthly ministry was to teach the people how to apply the Spirit in which that the laws of God were given. Laws were intended to create safe boundaries, not to restrict us from responding to need. Jesus emphasized this in verse 27 by saying; "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." The religious leaders had reversed this principle, making it man’s duty to serve the law rather the law being given for the sake of man. When an ambulance breaks the speed limit for the sake of saving a life it is because there is a higher law in operation. When Jesus healed on the Sabbath it was the same principle, but the Pharisees could not grasp this concept. Their offense at His freedom to choose to respond to the higher law threatened their control and so they persecuted Him. Jesus confronted the hardness of heart amongst the Pharisees in Matt 9:13 by exhorting them “go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy , not sacrifice.'” Remember the higher law of mercy and you will respond more consistently out of your Spirit and have less offense over the freedom that others enjoy in their walk with the Lord.

Mark 2:18-22 - February 25, 2010

Mark 2:18-22 “Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, "How is it that John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?" 19 Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. 20 But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast. 21 "No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. 22 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins."

One of the most challenging things to recognize in the context of our personal relationships with Christ is the reality that with God there are changing times and seasons that call for varying responses from God’s people. Many people find comfort in predictability and tradition. These things do have a place of value if they do not become a hindrance to living a responsive life to God. Within the religious culture of the time of Christ the religious leaders were so loyal to their traditions and routines that they could not recognize when God was doing a new thing.

Within this spiritual exchange in Mk. 2:18-22, between Jesus and the people who came inquiring about the lifestyle of the disciples Jesus gave a very insightful response. When asked why his disciples did not fast like John’s disciples Jesus answered “it is not time yet!” He made it clear that a time would come when they would fast but this was not the season for that. This was a season to enjoy the personal encounter with Jesus that they were experiencing and that after that season was over, then they would embrace a lifestyle of fasting. Through this response Jesus confronts the people’s false assumption that the nature of spiritual discipline is routine rather than responsive to times and seasons. Through this exchange Jesus gives the people a measure of freedom to walk with the Holy Spirit as He directs not just out of a method that they have learned.

Jesus continues in His exchange with these inquirers by teaching them for a few moments about seasons of transition. He points out that there are times when the work which God wants to do requires a new wineskin or structure to be able contain the new things that God desires to pour out. Within this understanding He then identifies that the ministry of fasting greatly impacts the outpouring of the new work of God and therefore, because the new structure that He is establishing through the birth of the Church is not ready to come forth yet the fasting season should wait until the necessary related changes have taken place.

Within this passage there are powerful spiritual insights as well as powerful leadership insights. We see a revelation of the power of fasting in the context of God birthing new seasons but Jesus also demonstrates tremendous leadership wisdom as He knows which emphasis to focus on at each stage of progression that He anticipates will take place within the coming work of God. His prophetic view of the coming changes that are about to impact the religious landscape enables Him to properly administer the times and seasons of progressive discipleship that He is imparting to His disciples. As the work of the cross is followed by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and then the birth of the church as a corporate, empowered presence representing God will soon unfold Jesus knows that certain facets of personal development that will be needed in the lives of His people must come at the appropriate pace or their impact will be lost because the setting is not yet properly prepared.

Each one of us must learn to recognize the times and seasons of the Lord in our lives. We must keep our hearts open to times of change and not become ensnared by our own spiritual habits. There are times when the Lord may lead you into a season of greater of lesser discipline. There are other times when He may choose to focus your attention on a particular facet of your ministry functions or career function to a greater or lesser degree than in past seasons. There are many Christians who are walking in frustration because there is no longer joy in their routine with God. They are seeking to recapture lost feelings and fading fire through the same practices that they have been engaged in. For some this frustration is in reality because the grace of a past season has lifted and God is preparing you for a new wineskin. Open your heart to the possibility of change and let the Lord lead you into the joyful remembrance that His yoke is easy and His burden is light!

Mark 2:15-17 - February 24, 2010

Mark 2:15 “While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" 17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Sinners know lots of other sinners! Jesus was criticized harshly for the kind of people that He associated with. The religious leaders of the day were chronically negative about the Lord for who He chose to spend time with. But Jesus understood a powerful truth that these men had either forgotten or had never learned. In answer to their criticisms in Mark 2:17 Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Jesus knew that the best way to call a sinner back to God is to spend time with them. He was not threatened by their sinfulness, nor offended by their sin. Instead He greeted them with a compassionate kindness and through this capitalized on a tremendous truth: sinners know lots of other sinners. Through reaching Levi Jesus reached “many tax collectors and ‘sinners.’” By accepting one man He gains access to many men. He does not embrace their behavior but he treats them with kindness and values them as people and through this He turns many of them towards righteousness.

One of the hardest things about ministry is remembering what ministry is about. For many people ministry becomes a career opportunity. For others ministry is the source of their identity and a sense of personal value. The larger the crowd or the more important the audience the better they feel about themselves. Pastors compare the size of their congregations and facilities with other ministries as a measurement of success, forgetting that the real measure of effective ministry is transformed lives and godly, fruitful disciples.

It is time for the church to remember its true mission. It is time to for the saints of God to turn from a materialistic, capitalistic faith and restore focus on the value God places upon people. Jesus demonstrated the fact that God values ALL people and is searching for opportunities to reach into their lives. Jesus had a profound capacity to focus on the individual and yet minister to the multitudes through it. There is a need for the eyes of the church to turn from a primary focus on numbers and events and renew its passion to raise up worshippers of God and deliverers of men… one life at a time!

Mark 2:13-14 - February 23, 2010

Mark 2:13-14 “Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. 14 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.”

Are you looking for God opportunities? Jesus demonstrates once again the sensitivity to the Holy Spirit that He maintains in His inner man. Jesus is out beside the lake teaching a crowd as He walks along. He is not merely sitting in a class room style seating arrangement, He is teaching on the move, using His surroundings as a part of His classroom. As He is walking along Jesus sees Levi, a tax collector and sinner who would have been despised and rejected by religious Jews for his compromising life and values. And yet because Jesus is looking with Spirit filled eyes, not the eyes of human judgment, Jesus sees a future Apostle.

What do you see when you look at broken people? Do you see their brokenness or do you see their potential? Jesus was willing to embrace the inconvenience of discipling a person who was coming from such a wounded place in his life. Jesus was also willing to endure the scorn and ridicule of those who would reject Him for His association with such a broken person. The moment we allow ourselves to identify with wounded people there is a cost. Are you willing bare that cost?

Jesus demonstrates such powerful priorities in this situation and as a result is able to initiate a powerful life transformation within Levi. His acceptance of Levi promotes Levi’s acceptance first by the other disciples and also by Levi himself. Imagine the testimony that Levi becomes to all those who knew him and all of those with whom he shares his story of redemption. His capacity to understand the power of forgiveness and to communicate the mercy of God is far different from that of men like Peter and John, Nathaniel and James. Though imperfect men for sure there is no record that any of these men came from sordid backgrounds. They could not fully comprehend the mercy of God the way that Levi would have been able to.

Jesus acceptance of Levi positioned Levi to be a powerful messenger to an audience that needed his example not just his message. To hear Levi’s story or to see the transformation of his life into a righteous man would be reason to hope for all who struggled with a sinful past. But imagine if Jesus would have been walking in the flesh that day. Imagine if Jesus’ religious convictions blinded him to the potential for redemption in Levi. In a moment, as Jesus was simply passing by, a life was changed because Jesus was living with a sensitive heart towards both God and man. This understanding compels each one of us to ask the question: “how many Levis have I passed by?” “How many potential Apostles have I concluded there was no redemption for?” Let the Lord open your eyes to who each man and each woman was created to be. Ask the Lord a new question today? Ask Him where you can find another Levi who is still waiting in the chains of darkness with an apostolic potential locked up inside?

Mark 2:8-12 - February 22, 2010

Mark 2:8-12 “Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the paralytic, 11 "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home. He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"

Verse 8 is insightful into the way Jesus walked with the Holy Spirit. It says that Jesus immediately knew in his spirit what they were thinking in their hearts. His fellowship with the Holy Spirit is so intimate that it does not take hours for the Spirit of God to get his attention, nor does he have confusion about what the impressions in his spirit mean. Jesus knew immediately and exactly what they were thinking.

This passage is such a picture of what is possible for every believer today. How close to God will we allow ourselves to become? Will we learn the still small voice of the Holy Spirit with such intimacy that the thoughts and intents of men’s hearts are revealed? There is so much more of God available to every believer!

Jesus does not rebuke them harshly in this moment. He simply exposes the fact that he knows the corrupt thoughts of their hearts and begins to address the issues without further confrontation. He communicates the fact that he knows exactly what they are thinking by teaching immediately on the subject and confronting the men by confronting the issue. Rather than making his correction personal Jesus corrects them by ministering to the person and demonstrating the connection between God’s miracle power and His heart of forgiveness.

Jesus simply compares the act of forgiveness with the work of performing a healing miracle. Jesus makes it clear that it is no more difficult to heal than to forgive and no more difficult to forgive than to heal. Jesus connects both actions to the fact that He has been given authority to do these things. It is this authority that Jesus is proclaiming through both His message and His ministry. In this place of public confrontation Jesus turns to the paralytic and to demonstrate this proclamation of His authority He commands him to pick up his mat and walk. Nothing mystical, no potion, nor spell, only an authoritative command like a military officer giving direction to a subordinate!

In His wisdom Jesus has arranged for this public controversy so that there is a public context within which to demonstrate the nature and measure of His authority. Had He simply tried to bring the subject up in His teachings without a context, it may have been interpreted as self-serving. Jesus instead provokes the issue in such a manner as to raise it as a matter of concern by instigating the religious leaders to do it. Through this means an opportunity is created for Jesus to both teach and demonstrate for His entire audience that both that He possesses this full measure of authority and the direct connection spiritually between forgiveness and healing.

Every believer can learn from this event concerning the nature of spiritual wisdom. Jesus told His followers to be wise as serpents and gentle as doves. He demonstrated this wisdom on countless occasions and this passage presents to every person who will think deeply many principles of wisdom that can increase our ability to bring forth the purposes of God and partner with Him in bringing forth His kingdom.

Mark 2:5-7 - February, 2010

Mark 2:5-7 “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." 6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

Jesus reacts immediately to the faith that he sees in the men. It is powerful to note that it was not the paralytic’s faith that provokes the heart of Jesus; it is the faith of the four men who lowered him. This is a powerful lesson in faith. Your faith can release someone else’s miracle! These men have broken through the ceiling and lowered the man into the presence of Jesus by faith, and that faith birthed a miracle.

There is a second part to this story as well. Jesus not only performed a miracle of healing in this passage he provoked a controversy that changed the way people looked at man’s role in ministering the power and purpose of God. Jesus does not address the man’s infirmities he addresses the man’s sins! With the same authority that he speaks as he casts out demons, Jesus speaks to the man and declares that his sins are forgiven. In the culture of the day Jesus could not do anything in that moment that would have been any more controversial! With this one sentence he makes himself equal to God in regard to forgiving sin!

Jesus establishes a significant principle very early in his ministry. He uses the miraculous gifts of power as a tool to create opportunity to address difficult issues that He is seeking to confront within the religious culture. He consistently equates the presence of power as God’s endorsement upon his message. The teachers of the law are immediately provoked by the words of Jesus, before he has even performed a miracle. Here they are, gathered in his home and yet they are not there to learn but to judge and criticize. Their hearts are hardened and now they are sitting in his presence with a critical spirit poisoning their minds.