Read Proverbs 26:1-16
Read Mark 2
It is amazing how quickly Mark jumps into his Gospel and begins relating the events in rapid fire succession. One of my college professors liked to call Mark "The Gospel of Hurried Excitement." So, in chapter 2 we have four distinct narrative accounts: the healing of the paralytic, Jesus calling Levi (Matthew), question about fasting, and the Lord of the Sabbath. In this chapter (and really throughout the whole book) Mark tells true stories to teach us just who this Jesus is.
Mark begins his whole Gospel by declaring that Jesus is the Son of God (1:1). And in the Gospel, Jesus continually refers to himself as the Son of Man. What exactly do these terms mean? Well, today we see that this Son of God and Son of Man has the authority to forgive sins and to heal (story 1), is a friend of sinners and calls them to a new and better life (story 2), is the promised Bridegroom (story 3), and has authority over the Sabbath day (story 4).
He sure covers a lot of ground in a short amount of time, doesn't he?
And what do we take from all this? Well, we could focus on any of them and apply them to our lives. What are your thoughts? Feel welcome to post them. Me? I like to think about how Jesus came to befriend sinners and call them to a new and better life. Having the authority to forgive sins, he calls us with the Gospel out of sin. He breaks its power in our lives. With authority he calls us to "follow" him.
I am glad to be his disciple. Though the road is sometimes difficult, the Companion on the journey makes the travels easy. Though the road can be dirty and treacherous, the destination at the end makes it all worthwhile. How good it is to follow Jesus!
Pray:
Let us ever walk with Jesus,
Follow His example pure,
Through a world that would deceive us
And to sin our spirits lure.
Onward in His footsteps treading,
Pilgrims here, our home above,
Full of faith and hope and love,
Let us do the Father's bidding.
Faithful Lord, with me abide;
I shall follow where You guide.
Let us suffer here with Jesus
And with patience bear our cross.
Joy will follow all our sadness;
Where He is, there is no loss.
Though today we sow no laughter,
We shall reap celestial joy;
All discomforts that annoy
Shall give way to mirth hereafter.
Jesus here I share Your woe;
Help me there Your joy to know.
(LSB 685:1-2)
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
What does it mean in verse 20?
ReplyDelete"The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day."
Welcome back Chad! My handy dandy Lutheran Study Bible says this refers to after Jesus' ascension, when he is "away" from them. (Side note: we know that he is still "with us," but we can't interact with him in the same way that the disciples could when he walked on the earth. So, in a sense, he is "away.") During this time when we wait for Christ's return there are appropriate times of fasting, for those first disciples and even for us.
ReplyDeleteAnd this may be exactly what Jesus is referring to. I wonder, however, if Jesus might specifically be referring to his crucifixion. There would be no feasting for his followers the day Jesus is taken away, beaten, crucified, and then buried in a borrowed tomb. Can you imagine how horrible that Sabbath day must have been for them? In their grief, they may not have even had an appetite. (This happens to us too in times of grief).
Or, quite possibly, Jesus is referring to both, making a general statement concerning any time he is away.