I. Greetings:
II. Introduction:
Note: Today we will see Jesus address the issue of rules. Every group must have them to live in an orderly or prosperous manner. Churches must have rules, procedures, traditions so there can be harmony. So lets discuss church rules for a minute.
Q What do you think of churches that demand you wear a tie to Sunday service?
An = It would be quite a mistake would it not to post deacons at the doors to bar the way to anyone who would not, or could not, wear a tie. Besides, what if the women could not find one that matched their dress?
Q What about a church that forbids any musical instruments except a piano and organ?
Q What about a church that encourages gay behavior or allows/encourages ideas that promote Jesus or Buddha as basically the same thing?
Q Should there be rules at your school or your church (or your organization)?
An = I think we would agree that we all need rules.
Q What makes a good rule?
Let's look at Jesus as He deals with rules.
III. Reading the Old Testament:
>>>> Have someone read Mark 2:23-26
A. The Issue: How does one read the Bible and apply it?
Q What upsets the Pharisee's here? What is the actual sin?
An = It was husking grain, i.e. with their hands (when they rubbed them together). The disciples were cleaning a handful of grain to eat as a snack as they traveled along the road. In other words, the disciples were being accused of husking grain, or harvesting, and therefore working on the Sabbath.
>>>> Have two different people look up Deuteronomy 23:24-25 and Exodus 34:21.
>>>> Have someone read Deuteronomy 23:24-25:
Note: It is OK to be satisfied, but not to take any large amount away from the field. It is OK to pick a bunch of grapes but not to fill your trunk to the brim and give it to all of your friends and relatives. It is OK to pick some for your stomach right there but not to load up and go and sell it to a peddler.
>>>> You read Exodus 34:21.
Note: It is good to work, but a sabbath must be taken and for an agricultural society that precluded harvesting.
Q What is Jesus' point in 2:25-26?
An = David, obviously a hero in the Bible, ate the wrong bread, bread that belonged only to priests, but did so with priestly blessing. The point being, not to break the rules unless a greater rule overrides it. The bread belongs to the priests, it is their assignment after it was placed on the altar, and they had the right to give it to the hungery David and his men because of their need. (I Samuel 21:1-9.)
Q So, what is the issue here?
RQ How carefully do you define things, so as not to lose the rule behind the rules?
B. The Method: how Jesus answers Scripture with Scripture.
Note: Jesus answers a question with a question. They ask to accuse, He asks to make them think. He is aware of the non-harvesting rule (Ex 34), but He is also aware of "satisfy your hunger rule" (Dt 23). Jesus is obviously pro-Scripture, but He wants us
to see the intent of Scripture, not mindlessly apply the rules. The Pharisees want to stress Ex 34 and Jesus thinks the situation fits Dt. 23, so He gives an example of how Dt 23 worked in the case of David. If one is mindless in their use of Scripture, they can actually disobey the intended goal of the Scripture and therefore God Himself.
Q Has God made it easy on us in finding the rules behind the rules?
C. The Principle and Proclamation.
>>>> Have someone read Mark 2:27-28.
Q What does this mean?
An = Verse 27 could be rephrased to say "sabbath rules were made for human beings, not human beings for sabbath rules". In other words, the Mosaic Law was given to man to guide and help him; man was not made for the purpose of obeying the Law. We have rules in our house about how to treat the furniture for the kids. We did not have kids so we could put into practice our "furniture laws". We did not even get furniture so we could practice our "furniture laws". We have such rules because kids, being kids, and we, wanting the furniture to last for a little while, instituted the rules. Also, we are teaching our kids manners, discipline and respect for property. Rules are made to regulate a church, or society, to bring about the optimum blessing, given the corrupt nature of mankind.
Note: Verse 28 seems to hinge on the meaning of the term "Son of Man". The phrase is a deduction based on the truth of verse 27. If 2:27 is true then logically so is 28 says Jesus.
Q So, what does "Son of Man" mean?
An = After they give their answers then add: it appears to be a deliberately double meaning phrase.
1. Son of Man in Daniel 7:14 refers to a divine being.
2. Son of Man in Ezekiel refers to a "son of a human being", i.e. the phrase means a human being. So, Jesus could be saying...
1) Jesus, the divine Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath Laws. As God, He gave the rules and so also has the right to interpret and apply them. God is lord of the rules. The Law-giver is over the Law. The Law is merely the written intention of His will. Now that He is present, He can speak His will directly.
2) Human beings are more important that rules. The rules were made for mankind, not mankind for rules. Therefore, on a Sabbath, the human need of hunger, usually overrides the fear of eating food that might be construed as gathered in a "harvesting way".
Q So which did Jesus mean?
An = He could have meant both. He was both fully God and fully man. He was human, and He was God. He hints that this is the attitude of God Almighty towards His rules, and He shows us how we as humans are to view the laws of God.
IV. Applying the Law Again:
>>>> Have someone read Mark 3:1-6
A. The anger of God.
Note: This is the second time we see Jesus angry (1:43).
Q What motives Jesus' anger?
An = It is their hardness of heart towards human need and human suffering. They are preoccupied with rules.
Q What does this say about God, if this is what angers Him?
Q What would anger God today in our church or religious institutions if this is used as a model?
Q Is Jesus intimidated?
Q What does this show us about His personality?
An = Jesus is not a wimp but a strong and focused individual. He is what we would call a true "man's man".
B. The anger of Man.
>>>> Have someone re-read Mark 3:6.
Q Why this response on the part of the leaders. Why would you want to kill a man for healing a cripple?
An = Many times church leaders would rather see less good done than have their preconceived ways upset. Some leaders are conservative because they wish to maintain the positive traditions of their church, and that is good. Some are conservative so they can stop being obligated to listen to the dynamic speaking of God's Holy Spirit and that is bad. Young people should be cautious before they judge all conservatives as bad, but elders should always be open to the movement of God's Spirit.
Q Is Jesus intimidated? What does this tell us about how we should be when under such attack?
An = Jesus was aware of the brewing storm and instead of being intimidated He was angry at their cold hearts. He goes ahead with the miracle and in a bold and commanding fashion says: "Stretch out your hand". Remember Jesus is teaching us to love God and to love man and in addition, if we fear God, we will not fear man.
Q What does this tell us if we begin to think and act like Jesus?
An = To follow the Son of Man will, at times, bring opposition and danger. It could cost us our lives.
![I perceived that innovations had already begun, and that there were a great many very much elevated in hopes of a revolt from the Romans. ... [I] Persuaded them to change their minds...and this I said with vehement exhortation, because I foresaw that the end of such a war would be most unfortunate to us. But I could not persuade them; for the madness of desperate men was quite too hard for me.5](http://www.biblestudyauthor.com/Articles/EF25FB47-4A4E-40AD-BD31-2044917CF4FD_files/shapeimage_1.png)
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