Welcome to the second week of our adventure! This week, in addition to reading from the Gospels, we will also be reading from the Old Testament and the book of Hebrews. I noticed some good comments about Leviticus by Bob on the Mark 1 stream, be sure to check them out. The first story in Mark 2 is about some friends who are determined to take their paralyzed friend to see Jesus. As I was reading, I was amazed that Jesus forgave and healed the man based not only on his faith (the paralyzed man's faith), but as a result of seeing their faith. What a wonderful picture of intercession!
Please post your own comments and questions to this week's readings. The responses so far have been great. If you're checking this out for the first time, please, leave a comment and join the discussion!
15 comments:
Yeah, those guys were like the best small group in the world. They crashed a party to get their friend to Jesus.
The text is pretty clear about the contrast between the man who was healed and the religious leader who had no faith. The guy who was healed did something as a result of his faith, yet the guy who did not have faith did nothing but criticize and question God.
And I'm sure we all know what everyone was thinking when Jesus answered the pharisees....
"You bunch of goobers..."
Let's face it, the pharisees were the gooberiest bunch of goobers. Where Jesus, well, there's not really any specific word in the english language that can quite describe how cool he is.
And I'm not the type to get all mushy either...
What's that bumper sticker say? "REAL MEN LOVE JESUS" I'm not mushy either, but I'm not afraid to say it.
I'm mushy! I love you guys, and Jesus.
Everytime someone in a game knocks Jesus, I stick up for the big-J man! I always tell people who knock christianity that I am one and proud of it.
Believe it or not, There are ALOT of athiests on the internet. You'd be shocked at the things I've heard people say...
In Mark 2 Jesus says that the Sabbath was given for man's benefit. Since observing the Sabbath was part of the 10 Commandments, it was obviously very important. Today, we aren't bound to observe the Sabbath, at least not formally. Do you ever wonder if we are missing out on some benefits by not observing a Sabbath rest regularly? What do you think those benefits might be? And why do you think Jesus or the Apostles didn't pass on the practice as necessary?
I think a lot is missing when you can't observe the Sabbath as directed. I know from working Sunday's, it is not the same as being off Sunday. I think I am fresher, and have a chance to read and study further if I can take that day off.
I have too much to say about the Sabbath. I sure am glad that God gave us the gift of the Sabbath. The Sabbath is tied up in our faith in God's activity in our lives.
It's sort of like tithing; we give to God and He gives so much more in spiritual benefit and favor with others.
I imagine Abimalech was mighty cheesed at what Abraham had done to him. I think what he said translates accordingly "What in the world did I ever do to you?"
As for the sabbath, I think everyone deserves a day off.
Great perspective J. I had never thought about the Sabbath in terms of a stewardship and trust issue. Good insight.
Carl, I think you read Genesis 20, not Exodus 20. A good passage though on trust and integrity. You're right that Abraham jeopardized Abimelech just to save his own skin. Abraham made mistakes too. It just proves God can use anyone to do great things.
I love this passage of Scripture. I was rocked several months ago by these words and they continue to give me comfort. "I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices"(matt.12:7b).
The thing that rocks is Jesus quotes God in the Old Testament (Hos.6:6) and he used the personal pronoun "I" when quoting that verse. You would think a person quoting God would say "God said..." or something like that but Jesus who is God takes on the authority of God in the Old Testament.
GRRRR...the site just ate my comment! Rather than repeat the whole thing, I was basically thinking about the delineation between who had to sacrifice a male animal and who had to sacrifice a female animal, and how Jesus' appearance as a male was required in order to cover the sins of both the leadership and the community. Additional rambling thoughts had to do with how the differentiation for sacrifices in Leviticus might have impacted the notion some churches have that Mary could serve as an intermediary (despite her lack of qualifications - even though she was obviously a very special woman!) and how that continuing differentiation sets up a false hierarchy.
Final comment was that we are all one at the foot of the cross...see Galatians 3:28.
...you should have seen the original attempted post...it was much more eloquent!
YOU GO DOUGNFRANKIE!!! Preach it!!
I find it comforting that a bit of this weeks readings talks about forgiveness. Or is it just me?
No, it's not just you. Forgiveness and grace are unfortunately absent from too much of our conversations. I think one of things that attracted people to Jesus was His message of hope. This hasn't changed. I trust in a hope not dependent on myself, but bound by the love of my Savior. This gives me freedom in the same way it gave freedom to the "sinners" whom Jesus befriended. To quote from this week's last reading, "For the person who has entered His rest has rested from his own works, just as God did from His." (Hebrews 4:10) We enter the rest when we accept God's grace by faith in Jesus. God help us slow down and appreciate it. Carl, I'm glad you to the time appreciate it.
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