BIBLE STUDY
We concluded studying the second chapter of the Gospel of Mark Sunday, verses 18-28, pages 22-25 in the study book from this unit entitled, ‘What Does Jesus’ Call Mean For Me?’ This unit of study is about asking the right questions concerning Jesus. We found in this lesson that the Pharisees were desperately seeking to entrap Jesus in heresy or to observe him breaking the Jewish law to have a reason to arrest him.
The first of three instances recorded in the second chapter of Mark is concerning the practice of fasting. In the New Testament period, fasting was considered a mark of devotion and the Pharisees fasted ‘religiously’ twice weekly. It was noticed that Jesus’ followers did not fast regularly and the ‘people’ wanted to know why. Seemingly, there was a critical attitude implied in their questioning. Jesus answered with a reference to a wedding feast, which is a joyous occasion. Why would anyone fast (go without food) in the presence of the bridegroom (Jesus)? The time will come when the bridegroom will no longer be with them, then it will be time to fast, verses 19-20.
Jesus used two other examples to explain the new and unique quality of His ministry. Verse 21 speaks of sewing a patch of new cloth on an old garment. No one repairs an old garment with a brand new piece of cloth, because the old cloth is shrunk from many washings and after the first wash the new cloth would tear away leaving a much larger tear. The new cloth is representing the gospel. Jesus’ point was that the Jewish legalism could not be repaired by layering the gospel over it. The new gospel message was not about obtaining good standing by keeping with rituals and traditions, but receiving a freely given eternal life.
Verse 22 uses the analogy of wine-making to further illustrate the message of His teachings. Wine makers always put new wine into fresh, pliable containers made of animal skins, never in old brittle containers. Fermentation would cause old containers to crack, causing the wine to be lost. The point here is that Jewish traditions are not wrong, only that their time had passed. The old covenant was giving way to the new. The gospel of salvation by faith in Jesus could not be contained in first century Judaism.
The remainder of the chapter focuses on the Pharisees attempting to find a reason to arrest Jesus. Somehow, they always knew where Jesus and his followers were and what they were doing. When they were caught picking grain on the Sabbath, they thought, “Aha! We got him now!” It was unlawful to work on the Sabbath and when Jesus was asked “Why?” he reminded them of David going into the Temple and eating the sacred bread when he and his warriors were hungry. Jesus reminded the Pharisees that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath and then boldly asserted His authority as Lord, even of the Sabbath.
What does Jesus’ call mean to me?
1) Reach out to sinners, Mark 2:15-17
2) Live with a new attitude, Mark 2:18-22
3) Meet the needs of others, Mark 2:23-28
Let us determine to follow Jesus more closely and live up to His expectations.
We are going to skip the next weekly study of our book, ‘Why Did Jesus Come?’, because it was originally designed to coincide with Christmas week and we are not on the book’s schedule. So fast forward to page 34, ‘Is God Still Working in the World?’. Read this lesson and Mark, Chapters 3 and 4 and come prepared to share your thoughts, questions, and insights with us at 11 A.M., Room 404. See you then!
PRAYER REQUESTS
Sue, Eva’s friend – sinus infection developed staph that deteriorated bone; surgery
to take bone from cheek to graft onto skull this week
Kay – recovering from colon surgery
Barbara – Heath’s grandmother; stroke
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