Mark 3

Mark 3

What did I learn about Jesus?

  • Jesus cares deeply about true rest and restoration—true Sabbath—for his people and doesn’t want legalism to get in the way.
  • We need to take time to truly rest—to take a Sabbath—and spend time with Jesus.

 What did I learn about disciple-making?

  • Jesus called his disciples to BE WITH him (v. 14).
  • We need to really be present with the people in our lives that God has called us to; not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually.

Extended thoughts and observations from Pastor Mark:

The first story is so sad. The religious leaders watch to see if Jesus will heal the man with the withered hand, NOT because they want to see a mighty work of God or because they have compassion on the man. No, they want a reason to accuse Jesus. How sick.  It irks these rulers that he would do “work”on the Sabbath…and Jesus almost goads them intentionally, daring them to say how such an act is not appropriate for the Sabbath.  Jesus found the Pharisees outrageous because they had turned the Sabbath into such a legalism that they couldn’t recognize TRUE rest when they saw it. 

Sadly, this issue of Sabbath seems alien to us because we have little to no concept, as a culture…even a church culture…of what it means to keep the Sabbath. Set aside the fact that the idea—the need, really—of meeting together in community to worship God on the Lord’s Day, is a lower priority for some than sports or other activities, we have very little sense of the importance of resting on the Sabbath and really using it to focus on the Lord and allow Him to restore us. Both the Pharisees’legalism and our indifference are wrong.

 Couple other thoughts. 

 Notice in the call of the 12 the FIRST thing Jesus called them for? Verse 14. “So that they might BE with him.” This relationship was and is the centerpiece of discipling ministry. If you officers are going to be disciple-makers, it starts with you “BEING”with someone with the intention of doing so. Who are you BEING with?

 Notice the unrest in Jesus’family. Twice! They thought him mad…and then they were torqued that he didn’t give them a backstage pass to his “show.” Notice Jesus description of who his REAL family is: “whoever does the will of God…” May we be the true brothers and sisters of Jesus.

Your thoughts?