Tag: Mark 2
Needing a ‘Physician’?
Scripture reading for February 11: Mark 2
“And as He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and He said to him, “Follow Me.” And he rose and followed Him. And as He reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and His disciples, for there were many who followed Him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that He was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to His disciples, “Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”” Mark 2:14-17
We all tend to think more highly of ourselves than we ought and also tend to judge others by the accepted norms of the culture we live in. In Jesus’ day, the Jews who helped Rome collect taxes were considered by others in their culture to be the lowest of sinners. It shocked the local religious leaders when, to their surprise, Jesus called Levi to follow Him as a disciple. Not only that, Levi hosted a dinner and introduced his fellow tax collectors to Jesus and they all reclined together at table for food and fellowship. Instead of asking Jesus, these leaders asked His disciples why Jesus would do such a defiling thing.
Jesus, hearing their question, answered them Himself: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” This statement was meant to probe their world view of themselves as well as those that they called ‘sinners’. All men are sinners, as all have sinned and come short of God’s glory. (Romans 3:23) All, consequently, need a ‘Physician’ to bring healing and forgiveness. Only those who will come to Jesus and humbly follow His prescription will be healed.
Do you find yourself looking down on certain people in your circle of relationships? What kind of self-talk comes from your heart about your own goodness compared to others perceived evil? Have you come to Jesus and reclined at table with Him to receive healing?
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You came to call sinners, of which I am one. Thank You for being my great Physician, offering me a place at Your table and feeding me true food and drink–Your body and blood which alone brings healing. Grant me boldness to share Your desire to forgive sinners. Amen.
The Sabbath was made for man!
Scripture reading for February 11th: Mark 2
Key Scriptures: Mark 2:27-28 “Then He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
God, Himself, rested on the seventh day of creation week. On that seventh day, He enjoyed the creation He had made and had sweet fellowship with the man and woman He had created. He gave that seventh day to the nation of Israel in a covenant through the Law that was embodied in the fourth commandment of the Ten. The Sabbath was to be a day set apart for rest and refreshment. It was a day for His people to enjoy creation and fellowship with the Creator and know His heart. There was to be no work on that day. It was a day to remember their deliverance from slavery in Egypt and the awesome God who lead them out.
Jesus corrected the religious people of His time about their abuse of the Sabbath. For them it had become rules and regulations instead of rest and fellowship with the Creator! Religion makes us ‘do’ but Jesus calls us to ‘rest’!
Observations for over-comers: Overcomers rest in Christ and daily contemplate His great works. “How great are Your works, O Lord, How profound are Your thoughts.” (Psalm 92:5)(A Psalm for the Sabbath Day)
Doctors are for the sick! (Savior’s are for sinners!)
Scripture reading for February 11th: Mark 2
Everywhere Jesus went, people were either amazed at His teaching and miracles or provoked by how unorthodox His methods and timing were. Religious leaders had the most difficult time when Jesus broke their customs and violated tradition. Common people felt welcomed and loved by Jesus and opened their hearts to Him. Those who encountered Jesus must decide where they stood for His teaching and miracles brought conviction!
“”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. 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.” (Mark 2:14-15) This action of Jesus brought the Pharisees into a conflict with Jesus and His disciples. They were upset that Jesus was hanging around with known “sinners”. This would have been unthinkable to them. These people were “unclean” and would have contaminated them.
Jesus responded with a classic statement: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 1:18) Jesus’ mission was to reach lost people. In reality, all are lost! (Romans 3:23) But often religious people are self-righteous! They judge their righteousness by the rules they keep and by others lack of keeping their traditions. We must know we are sick to choose a doctor to help us! We must recognize we are sinners to go to The Savior! Check your heart today! If you are judging yourself by religious rules or traditions, rather than by your relationship with Jesus, the Savior, repent and get it right!