Reflection Questions for Saturday's Message
“Jesus says: “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” He uses both terms ironically. He is saying that the word “righteous” here means self-righteous, and the word “sinners” here means people who know they are sinful and in need of a Savior. He does not congratulate those who have attained a high degree of theological precision and moral discipline. Instead, he warns them that they might be the farthest from him.” -Tim Keller
God does not “come to call the righteous but sinners” vs. 17- what a profound statement! Who is a sinner and who is righteous? Why does Jesus say this?
The Law and Fasting 2:18-22: The Pharisees placed a huge weight on themselves and other Jews to obey the law. In this section, it is both John’s disciples and the Pharisees talking with Jesus. Jesus was stirring the pot for all Jews, not only the zealots. His lack of dogma starts to disturb the Jewish circle as a whole.
What is the design of fasting? What are the good aspects of religious fasting? How could fasting actually be used as a way to find safety apart from God?
The Law and the Sabbath 2:23-3:6: Remember, Mark is not often overly troubled with chronology of events. The ordering of events often clash with Matthew’s and Luke’s. He is building theological themes. Specific times and places of events are often not given. The connection is the theme of the incident as Mark frames a pattern for the rising conflict against Jesus
What was the purpose of the Sabbath? How might the purpose of the Sabbath be lost?
“We do not set aside certain laws based on cultural desires. We set aside those either fulfilled in Christ, or not pertaining to the nation-state of Israel. We now eat pork without second thought. We now shave our beards. We no longer sacrifice animals. Though we set them aside as not binding, there is not one jot or tittle of the law that is not instructive in understanding the heart and holiness of God.
So, positively, we do love others, we do give to the poor, we do memorize God’s Word so on and so on. The heart of these laws stems from God’s character and though times and specific expression change, the heart from which they stem does not.
We are always morally bound to do what honors God and what is best for those with whom we share the earth. There will be argument about the specific ramifications of how that is lived out since we are now led by the Spirit and the list of New Testament is much more sparse than the Old Testament. However, the Word of God is the guide for the Christian and not cultural pressure.” Miles O’Neal
What does Jesus say about Himself as He claims to be Lord of the Sabbath?