Day 4 | 40 Days Through Mark

As I read through the verses for today, the teacher in me comes out with questions that I would ask my students.

What are the main topics?  

• Jesus Eats with Sinners
• Religious Leaders Ask Jesus about Fasting
• Disciples Pick Wheat on the Sabbath

How do they relate?

• The Pharisees try to catch Jesus doing something wrong in three different instances. In each situation, Jesus models what we, as believers, should be doing in his name.

What specific statements, made by Jesus, refute the Pharisees?  

• About sinners: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17)
• About fasting: “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.” (Mark 2:19-20)
• About the Sabbath: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27)

What does this tell us as believers?  

• Jesus came to minister to sinners. So should we. While we want to keep associations pure, we should be seeking those who need Jesus. We should be ministering to both non-believers and sinners.
• Jesus’ presence with us is a time for celebration—not for fasting. Jesus is not physically with us right now, but his presence has been given to us through the Holy Spirit.
• Rules, rules, rules! The reason for the Sabbath is not to place rules on people, but to allow people to show love and respect to God.

What does this mean to me?

• Jesus loves me, even as a sinner. He wants a relationship with me. He wants to restore me and give me a purpose.
• Jesus wants me to acknowledge his presence in my life - and celebrate his presence in my life.  
• The love of Jesus does not restrict us, but shows us the best way to live. He wants us to live good and pure lives, loving one another, caring for one another, and loving God.