Note for 20250107

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

According to Mark

Read Through The Bible

“As it Happened” Bible Reading Plan

Day 052

Leviticus 24 to 25

Part 38 - Mark 2 - Jesus and the Legalists

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The House of Bread · Voice Note for 20250107 - TheGospelofJesusChrist-Part38-Mark2-JesusandtheLegalists

Mark 2:13-28 KJV

[13] And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. [14] And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphæus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. [15] And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. [16] And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? [17] When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. [18] And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not? [19] And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. [20] But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days. [21] No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse. [22] And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles. [23] And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn. [24] And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful? [25] And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him? [26] How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him? [27] And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: [28] therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

https://bible.com/bible/1/mrk.2.13-28.KJV

Who do you eat with, do you fast and how do you keep the Sabbath Holy? Would you say, based on what you just read, that Jesus was controversial in His time on earth? Eating with publicans (also known as tax collectors) and sinners, the Pharisees were accusing Jesus and His disciples of defiling themselves by mixing with such a crowd.

Mark 2:17 KJV

[17] When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

https://bible.com/bible/1/mrk.2.17.KJV

Paul writes a question that we should consider what do we have in common with the godless and sinners. It is this, salvation in Jesus Christ; one part has a testimony to give that the other part is in need of hearing. What have you to give? A set of rules, or that which will bring about a change from within, that the Holy Spirit may work from within, and the Lord become also the Lord of those who did not know Him. What is it that we "advertise" of Christ in us? Is it old wine in old bottles, new wine in old bottles; or, do we present the message of a renewing of man? Do we advertise our accomplishments and how Holy we have become, based on a set of standards, or do we proclaim the "New Wine" and Who poured it out in us at the precise right time? We hate sin, but not the sinner, right? Or do we sit in some form of eco chamber?

Do we preach Christ Jesus and salvation in Him, in all things; or do we preach sin? Can we find compassion for the trapped, broken and forgotten; or do we increase their burdens? Who of us can pick up a stone, and cast it at another? Who is without sin? Once the Doctor came to visit mankind, now He comes to affect the change from within. If that change does not come from within, have you met Him that brings the change at all; have you ever known Him?

Do we remember when we were still bogged down with sin? Do we remember when we were still filthy, within and without? Have we not read in the words of John, that who loves is of GOD, for GOD is love? Or have we become like these Pharisees, seeking fault in everything? In deliverance, do we remember how long it took for us to overcome some of these things that are now no longer in our lives? We had years, and Christ brought us through it, He delivered us. Shall we now demand conformance in an instance? What is, "long-suffering" or bearing one another's infirmities? Are any of us perfect yet? By Who will perfection come? We struggle not against flesh and blood, right?

Who is the Lord of the Sabbath? How do we enter into His rest? Is there rest in hunger, thirst or pain? How shall we then treat those without knowledge or understanding, or shall we simply refuse them, for they do not look like us, talk like us or behave like us? Who then needs Salvation and where would they hear about all that? If no one preaches, how will they hear; and who will preach if no one is sent? Or do we only sustain ourselves, and forget about the widow, the orphan and the stranger? Who is a widow, other than her, whose husband is dead? Who is an orphan, but him without a Father in Heaven? Who is a stranger, but he, that has not come in yet, to be known? Were we not once like widows, orphans and strangers?

I am nudged to put it simply. Just because it is the first time I attend your congregation does not immediately qualify me as godless. Have you taken the time to try me by the Holy Spirit? Or, are only those of your church earmarked for heaven? I thought we are all of the church of Christ Jesus? Is there then any other doctrine that brings salvation but the doctrine of Jesus Christ? Do we judge by what we see? What is it that can be seen? Have you witnessed the entire process?

Still not plain enough. When a murderer repents of murdering and no longer murders, shall we default him because he still smokes? Look, these Pharisees would not even afford Christ and His disciples to sit with sinners. How do you reach the lost and broken? You don't have to listen to me, but hear Christ...

Mark 2:17 KJV

[17] When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

https://bible.com/bible/1/mrk.2.17.KJV

Did Christ cast a stone at the woman found in adultery? He did however take on all hypocrites, especially those who came in a stance that they were better than others. What is humility? How do you wash another's feet? The Holy Spirit writes the law upon our hearts, not? Shall we then rip out the Tares, damaging the wheat in the process? We struggle not against flesh and blood. We struggle NOT against flesh and blood. Who cries out to the LORD, but he that is in trouble? Shall we then pass on the far side of the road, and forget the trouble of our neighbour? That does not justify sin, but it does bring the sinner in, so GOD can work with him.

There is a process for deliverance and sanctification, we should not forget the path we had to walk, even that which brought oil for our lamps. Neither should we consider that we have it made, that we stand in perfection. What is spiritual pride? What is humility? Have you not read that not all sin is sin unto death? Christ died for our sin, we are hidden in Him. Man could not uphold the law, so the Word of GOD was nailed to the cross. Jesus sacrificed Himself, so we may live. Don't forget, Who the Saviour is. I am a sinner, saved by Grace; far from perfect, but on the way, by the change that Christ is effecting in me.

Selah, Shalom.

The House of Bread

Verse of The Day

From the YouVersion Bible App (Expanded from verse 35)

Acts 8:32-39 KJV

[32] The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And like a lamb dumb before his shearer, So opened he not his mouth: [33] In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: And who shall declare his generation? For his life is taken from the earth. [34] And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? [35] Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. [36] And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? [37] And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. [38] And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. [39] And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

https://bible.com/bible/1/act.8.32-39.KJV

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