Mark (7)

Intro: Quick Review. Mark has recorded several accounts which demonstrate Jesus’ authority. For example we have already studied Jesus authority to preach and teach, to call disciples, to cast out unclean spirits, to heal the sick, forgive sin, and sit with sinners. The last few passages that we have looked at have revealed the conflict or opposition to Jesus’ authority to do these things. The hostility of the scribes and Pharisees is escalating as we see them first questioning in their hearts, then questioning Jesus’ disciples, confronting Jesus Himself, and finally setting him up so they can conspire to destroy Him.

Transition: Today we are focusing on...

Read Text: Mark 2:23-3:6

Observations

(2:23)It was lawful to pick grain from neighboring fields for consumption.

(2:24)The Pharisees had added several specifications for keeping the Sabbath which included the prohibition of picking grain.

(2:25-26) Jesus uses example of David to make his first point.

(2:27) Jesus first point is that the Sabath was instituted as a means to help humanity not hurt them. Sabbath was created in order to serve humanity not for humanity to serve. So it would be senseless for Jesus and His disciples to obey their interpretive tradition of not picking grain and go hungry when God’s law gave permission to pick grain so they would not go hungry. They were hungry, and so they picked and ate some grain on the Sabbath which was not prohibited by the heart of the Sabbath law.

(2:28) Jesus main point is to reveal that He is Lord even of the Sabbath. As the one who is responsible for creating the Sabbath to begin with, He more than anyone would know the correct interpretation of the law. He was the one who first rested from His work in creation and as such can rightly observe what He has created. He is the Son of man and Lord of the Sabbath. As such He will walk in perfect authenticity to His identity and behave according to the heart of the Sabbath.

(3:1)This main point of our text is observed immediately when Jesus enters the synagogue.

(3:2) In silence they watch, no doubt having planted the man with a withered hand, in order that the might be able to accuse Him.

(3:3-4) So Jesus confronts them by bringing the man forward and basically using a question to make the point He has already made. They remain silent.

(3:5-6) With anger and grief over the Pharisees hard hearts Jesus compassionately restores the man’s hand. With no notice of the power to heal, the hard hearted immediately go have a meeting in order to make assassination plans. ( I wonder if they walked further than a Sabbaths day journey to get to their meeting?? )

Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath

Point: Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. As the Son of Man, Jesus has authority to rightly obey the heart of the Sabbath.

Transition: What does this truth mean in our lives today?

Wisdom for keeping God’s law...

What role does Sabbath keeping specifically, and the law of God in general have in the life of a Christian? How do we know what laws are good and right to keep and what are simply manmade traditions? Are all traditions bad? Are New Testament Christians responsible to keep Old Testament commands?

God’s lawful commands are a blessing not a cursing. (Genesis 1:28)

How is Sabath a blessing? Because God blessed it, but also because it provides a way for our bodies to rest and be satisfied with a week of work well done.

The purpose of the law is to guard and guide us to Christ. (Gal. 3:23-24)

How does the law about Sabbath guard and guide us to Christ?

The Origin of Sabbath: Genesis 2:1-3 “Finished work”

The law of Sabbath: Exodus 20:8-11 “how it functions, and we are all guilty of breaking...”

The Lord of Sabbath: John 19:30

John 19:30 ESV

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Key Point: “In Christ we can experience true Sabbath rest.” Jesus has fulfilled the law, and is Lord even of the Sabbath. (Matt. 5:17, Col. 2:16-17) How has Jesus fulfilled the law about Sabbath? By finishing the necessary work of paying for the penalty of our law breaking rebellion.

Colossians 2:16–17 ESV

Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

Being justified by faith in Christ we can joyfully obey the heart of God’s law by the power of the Holy Spirit.(Gal 5:1-18)

Discovering the heart of God’s commands is not the same as looking for loop holes. “How can I interpret the commands of Sabbath in a way that best fits my schedule?”

We do not have the authority to judge scripture and determine our justified notions of what the heart of God’s law is. (eg. Matt. 5:27-28)

What is the heart of the law about Sabbath?

The good news that Jesus is our true rest. (Hebrews 4:9-10)

Hebrews 4:9–10 ESV

So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.

Key Point: The Holy Spirit produces joyful obedience to God’s law by conforming our convictions to the authority of Scripture. (Romans 14) read some*

Warning of Pharisaical-ism= Attempting to whittle down the letter of the law into formulated lists in order to justify sinful behavior. (case in point: They were willing to buddy up with enemies to plan murder under the guise keeping the Sabbath) As my friend Scott Anderson told me, “Being religious is easier than being holy.” The problem is God’s law requires us to be holy as He is holy and there is no way we can possibly do that by our own initiative. It was a lot easier for the religious to observe specific traditions about days than to observe specific rebellion in their hearts. It is gracious of God to expose our rebellion and call us to Christ alone for our eternal rest.

Warning of Herodian-ism= Attempting to dismiss the law for the sake of enlightened open mindedness and cultural acceptance. They were the free thinkers who held that truth was relative to their experience rather than an authoritative absolute. This is just the other side of the pendulum swing of self-righteous religion. It is anti-authority. Anti-law. It is the false belief that God’s word has no baring on how we should think, feel, and act. This is the false gospel that suggests Jesus is your servant to be invited into your life and never requires to to turn away from false belief and behavior. He accepts you right where you are and is content to leave you where you are without any change. Jesus is perhaps your Savior but you remain your own lord. This kind of gospel is no gospel at all.

Its very interesting to me that those who have found true rest in Christ will not find company by either one of these extremes. Those who belong to Christ will like our Savior be in conflict with those who hold to the self righteous religion of keeping the letter of the law, and those who adhere to the anarchy of antinomianism.

Closing: ???? There could be many more things to conclude about wisdom for keeping God’s law. Specifically, we might spend awhile discussing how the scripture would direct us in regards to the Sabbath. However, I want to conclude with a question and some final thoughts. Truly made right with god in Christ. Living with a heart full of contentment, finished work, rest in Christ, without anxiety. Blessing of God’s mercy to continue to form and shape our hearts with His rest, but keep in mind the heart of the trouble. We are not Lord of our own Sabbath, Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. And that truth should continue to ripple deep in our soul producing godliness with contentment.