Gospel of Mark 2:15-22

Gospel of Mark 2:15-22                                       April 22, 2017

 

Jesus Calls Levi (Matthew) 

Read Mark 2:15-22, for an overview 

Last time we were in the Gospel of Mark, we saw Jesus was walking by the sea and saw a Tax Collector, Named Levi, was his Hebrew name and Matthew is his Greek name. 

Jesus said to Levi, "Follow Me." So he arose and followed Him.   

We saw where the Jews classified tax collectors as sinners and they hated them because they collected taxes for Rome.  Levi was regarded as an outcast from society: he was disqualified as a judge or a witness in a court session and was not allowed in the synagogue, and in the eyes of the community his disgrace extended to his family. 

When Levi responded to Jesus calling, he had burned his bridges and he could never go back. 

We found that tax collectors had to be skilled in short-hand writing is why we have detail sermon notes given by Jesus. 

(15)  Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi's house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him.  

Here Jesus is eating again.  Eating a meal together meant something in Jesus' world that it does not mean today in the West.

Hospitality was a sacred duty in the ancient Near East. When someone invited someone else to eat with him, he was extending a pledge of loyalty and protection to that person. 

Are we not to have hospitality? 

Romans 12:13  distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. 

To accept an invitation to dinner implied a willingness to become a close friend of the host. Matthew apparently celebrated his calling from Jesus and provided food. 

For they were many and they followed him:  Mark alone gives this reason for the number of publicans and sinners gathered there, namely, that these people were numerous and that they generally followed Christ.  

Sounds like today, too many tax collectors.  

(16)  And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, "How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?"  

How did they know, stand outside of the house?   

Sinners - the Gentiles or heathens are generally to be understood in the Gospels, for this was a term the Jewish leadership never applied to any of themselves, 

It was an offence for a Jew to eat with Gentiles as many of the early Jewish Christians felt  

Acts 11:3 saying, "You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!" 

By eating with these individuals, Jesus showed that God's forgiveness is extended even to the worst. 

Jesus example shows Believers must go to the unbelievers since we know they would rarely come on their own seeking Jesus 

(17)  When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."   

In this instance we know Jesus was speaking tongue-in-cheek when He used the word righteous. None are righteous, though some, such as the Pharisees, fancied themselves as such.

 

Romans 3:10 As it is written: "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO, NOT ONE; 

2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 

Not our righteousness in us, but Jesus righteousness. 

Christ came to call sinners, to repentance. Jesus did not condone the activities of sinners, but required repentance—a change of mind that recognizes the need of a Savior and recognizes Jesus Christ as the only Savior. 

This verse is a fine summary statement of Jesus' mission during His earthly ministry. It is one of only two sayings in Mark in which Jesus expressed His purpose in coming 

Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." 

Jesus presented Himself as the Healer, a divine title of Jesus in the Old Testament  

Exodus 15:26 and said, "If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you." 

Many Pharisees and priests (conservatives of the day) ultimately did come to faith in Christ (Acts 6:7);  

Acts 6:7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. 

Very interesting information: there are no records in the Scriptures of a Sadducee—the liberals of the period—coming to faith. 

A Question About Fasting 

(18)  The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting. Then they came and said to Him, "Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?"   

Were fasting:  Were fasting, on that very day. 

The Pharisees' fasting, perhaps twice each week 

Luke 18:12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' 

We know the Old Testament requires fasting on only one day each year—the Day of Atonement in the book of Leviticus 16. 

(19)  And Jesus said to them, "Can the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. 

Friends - wedding guests - children of the bride chamber, is this the first place in Mark where Bridegroom is mention. 

Interesting side, friends of the bridegroom, Jesus disciples were not the bride at this time, only friends.  When the disciples receive the Holy Spirit, are they then the Bride. 

And Jesus said unto them,.... Both to John's disciples and the Pharisees,

can the children of the bride chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?  

Jesus is the bridegroom, as the Apostle John called him,  

John 3:29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. 

and that his disciples were the friends of the bridegroom and that it was very unreasonable to desire them to fast at such a time 

Christianity is a wedding. Jesus is echoing the words of John the Baptist: 

The body of believers known as the church is the Bride of Christ.

The church body is comprised of those who have the Holy Spirit living in them.    

Jesus Christ, the Bridegroom, has chosen the church to be His bride. 

Ephesians 5:25-27  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,  (26)  that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,  (27)  that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 

Just as there was a period of engagement during the time of Jesus Christ which the bride and groom were separated until the wedding, while the groom was preparing their future home.  The bride does not know when the Bridegroom will come for her.  

This is why the Bride of Christ (church) is separated from her Bridegroom during this church age. Her responsibility during the church age period is to be faithful to Him. 

2 Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 

Ephesians 5:23-24 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.  (24)  Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.   

At Jesus return to the earth, the church will be united with the Bridegroom and the official “wedding ceremony” will take place and, with it, the eternal union of Christ and His bride will be complete. 

Revelation 19:7-9 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready."  (8)  And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.  (9)  Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God." 

Wedding is a celebration time.  

Jesus' presence, as with a wedding celebration, called for rejoicing, not mourning.  Jesus first miracle in the Gospel of John, made wine at a wedding celebration.. 

John 2:2-3  Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.  (3)  And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine." 

(20)  But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.   

Jesus gives the first hint of His death and resurrection, in this verse. 

Taken away: This is a hint of the violence of Jesus being removed from the scene. 

John 16:5 "But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, 'Where are You going?' 

But the days will come: Remember, the disciples of John were fasting because John was taken by Herod, and put in prison, and so it was a mourning time with them: 

Will fast in those days: referring to the time of the sufferings and death of Christ, which would be, and was a sorrowful season to his disciples, and then they will fast.  The fasting will stop when Jesus returns to the earth. 

(21)  No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; or else the new piece pulls away from the old, and the tear is made worse.   

Jesus came to introduce the New Covenant, not patch up the Old Covenant. 

This form is peculiar to Mark, and characteristic of his lively style 

(22)  And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins."   

Mark records only four of Jesus' parables—two of which he includes here.

These two examples, garment and wineskins, are two parables. 

Jesus was also talking about Judaism, not the Old Testament Scriptures, but also the religion of the Pharisees and scribes.  Judaism is the religion after Ezra and the destruction of the Temple to force the Jews to follow God so they would not go into captivity again. 

Paul said: in Judaism, not the religion of Abraham, but the religion of the Jews. 

Galatians 1:13-14 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.  (14)  And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 

The comparison implies that the newness of His message, and of the New Covenant to follow, cannot fit into the old molds of Judaism, which is the traditions of the elders, but into the new covenant by Jesus our Creator.   

Jesus would establish a new covenant.  

Hebrews 9:15  And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 

The Law would be written on human hearts, not stones 

Hebrews 10:15-18 But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before,  (16)  "THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR HEARTS, AND IN THEIR MINDS I WILL WRITE THEM,"  (17)  then He adds, "THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE."  (18)  Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. 

In Jesus Christ we have the fulfillment of all that God promised 

2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 

The indwelling Holy Spirit in us enables Jesus’s people to fulfill the righteousness of the Law 

Romans 8:3-4 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,  (4)  that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 

Salvation is not patching up the old; you become a new creation 

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 

The Holy Spirit tends to use new channels of communication. We will use new wine and new skins to supplement how we study the Scriptures, computer Bibles, helps. It made the Word of God more available to more people in the world today, in any time in history. 

I would guess that Mr. Dart voice was heard by more people than any of the Apostles during the early Church history.  The only reason was because of the age we live in.  Communication.  Radio.  TV.   

End of this section. 

Read Mark 2:15-22, for a refresher

 

Last Day of Unleavened Bread, 2017

 

Last Day of Unleavened Bread, 2017                       April 17, 2017   

How did it go this last week?  Did we make an effort to eat Unleavened Bread every day or meal?  Are we already tired of the Unleavened Bread?  Are we ready for some bread, like a hamburger, ice cream cone, and regular bread or hot rolls?   

What I ask now, what are we going to do now.  We are on the last day of Unleavened Bread.  We ate unleavened bread through the 7 days of Unleavened Bread.   

We are recognizing that Jesus is unleavened and we are the Temple of the Holy Spirit and symbolically we do not want to put leaven into Temple during this time.   

Remember, we already covered leaven which represents sin on the First High Day and we are to put sin out of our lives or out of us, the Temple of the Holy Spirit. 

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?  (17)  If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. 

1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 

2 Corinthians 6:16-18 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM. I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE."  (17)  Therefore "COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM AND BE SEPARATE, SAYS THE LORD. DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN, AND I WILL RECEIVE YOU."  (18)  "I WILL BE A FATHER TO YOU, AND YOU SHALL BE MY SONS AND DAUGHTERS, SAYS THE LORD ALMIGHTY."

We are to come out from among the world and be separate and to be a light to the world.  How are we a light to the world? 

Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  (15)  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  (16)  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. 

John 17:11-18  Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.  (12)  While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.  (13)  But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.  (14)  I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  (15)  I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.  (16)  They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  (17)  Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.  (18)  As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.   

Why, because we are ambassadors for Christ.  How we act, talk and respond is looked at by the world (everyone around us).  We imitate those who we respect and follow. 

Example:  we look at a child and see their mannerism and how they imitate their parents. 

2 Corinthians 5:20-21 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.  (21)  For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 

Ephesians 6:20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 

The 3^rd commandment:   

Exodus 20:7 "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

This means far more than swearing or profanity, but ambassadorship.  If we are going to take the name of the King, we better be prepared to represent Him faithfully.  

We know we are ambassadors, and then we call ourselves Christians or Believers, taking the name of Christ upon ourselves. If we claim to be Christ's disciples, and yet we don't live as one who has taken the name of Christ should, then we're in violation of this commandment.  

Why do I say this, because the Apostle Paul tells us: 

Romans 2:24  For "THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES BECAUSE OF YOU," as it is written. 

If our actions are in the Way of Death (which are the works of the flesh), then we will be blaspheming the name of God.  If our actions are in the Way of Life that Jesus taught, lived and instructed, then the way we live our Lives shows the fruit of the Spirit.  

Yes, we are Ambassadors, Lights to the World and the Temple of the living God and how we act and react to people in the world will reflex on the Creator God.   

Paul tells us that God has entrusted His Servants with the gospel:   

1 Thessalonians 2:4 Rather, because we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, we speak as we do, not trying to please people but God, who tests our motives. 

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Now I'm making known to you, brothers, the gospel that I proclaimed to you, which you accepted, on which you have taken your stand,  (2)  and by which you are also being saved if you hold firmly to the message I proclaimed to you—unless, of course, your faith was worthless.  (3)  For I passed on to you the most important points that I received: The Messiah died for our sins according to the Scriptures,  (4)  he was buried, he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures—and is still alive!— 

As an ambassador, we are: 

Matthew 10:16 "See, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. So be as cunning as serpents and as innocent as doves. 

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 

Paul tells us we are unleavened and we are to keep the feast with sincerely and truth.  

Why again are we here, because we are to hear meat or food in due season. This is why we cover the meaning of the feast day we are celebrating. 

As Servants, we are to cover Meat/Food in due season. But what is this 'meat?' And what is the 'due season' in which this meat is to be given?  

Let's find out: 

Matthew 24:44-45 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.  (45)  "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 

Luke 12:42-43 And the Lord said, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?  (43)  Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 

These passages tell us exactly what this food is, both in a general sense, and in detail. In general, this food can be seen in the following verses: 

Psalms 104:27 These all wait for You, That You may give them their food in due season. 

Psalms 145:15 The eyes of all look expectantly to You, And You give them their food in due season. 

Proverbs 15:23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is! 

1 Timothy 4:6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. 

In these verses, we see immediately that this food in due season is something that comes from our Heavenly Father, even though it is done by His servants. 

Hebrew 5:12-14 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.  (13)  For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.  (14)  But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 

A word spoken in due seasons refers to the spoken words of Jesus the Creator and the God of the Old Testament.  Jesus, the Messiah spoke to Israel and Moses wrote at Sinai on what Jesus gave him.   Paul explains: 

1 Corinthians 10:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea,  (2)  all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,  (3)  all ate the same spiritual food,  (4)  and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 

James 1:21-22 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.  (22)  But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 

Deuteronomy 31:9-11 So Moses wrote this law and delivered it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel.  (10)  And Moses commanded them, saying: "At the end of every seven years, at the appointed time in the year of release, at the Feast of Tabernacles,  (11)  when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 

Joshua 8:34-35 And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and the cursings, according to all that is written in the Book of the Law.  (35)  There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded which Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel, with the women, the little ones, and the strangers who were living among them. 

From Deuteronomy 28, Blessings for Obedience and Curses for Disobedience.

Only the wealthy could afford to have a copy of the Law.  The king was required to write His own copy of the law.  Are we not to be kings?  Have you written out on paper, the Book of the law? 

Deuteronomy 17:18-20 "Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites.  

Jesus, the Messiah gives us His words, which become our meat as we feed upon His Word. We then become "DO-ers" of His word, as we walk in obedience to His words. 

Acts 17:11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so 

2 Peter 3:18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. 

Our Lord Jesus from the scriptures calls it “Way of Life” or “Way of death”.   

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. 

Where did the term “Way of Life” come from?

Proverbs 10:17 He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But he who refuses correction goes astray. 

Jesus gives us a direct statement to live our lives in a certain Way.  Jesus said,

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 

How we live a Christian life, shows how bright or dim our light shines.

Jesus tells us about the two different and contrasting Ways of Life we can live. 

Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; 

There are consequences for our actions in our Life.  The decisions we make today will affect us and our families later on in our life.  

We are to give all Glory to God by the way we live our lives.   

The Christian Churches today have water down Jesus teaching that now, religious beliefs and actions literally have no impact on how Christians are to live their lives.  On church day, as a whole, Christians live one way and on the other six days, live another way.   

When we as individuals or as a nation choose the “Way of death” instead of the “Way of life”, then the Judgment of God will be on the individuals and nations.  

These actions are what Prov 14:12 and Prov 16:25 says “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the “Ways of death”.”   

So we are to study His words to grow in grace and knowledge and to learn the Way of Life that Jesus instructed us to learn.  This is what we should be doing as we go forward to the next feast and High Day, Day of Pentecost. 

Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. 

Remember, as we go out into the public, people are always looking at people and see what they are doing and since we are ambassadors for our Lord Jesus, think of this when we do things.