Mark 2

Jesus is home in Capernaum. The house is full of people who want to hear Jesus speak the word. What does he do? He declares that a man's sins are forgiven. The experts in the law respond "only God can forgive sins." v7 Who is Jesus? I wonder what those listening are thinking about this claim.
What is faith? Jesus sees the faith of those who bring the paralytic. Faith in action, "not knowledge about Jesus but active trust that Jesus is sufficient for one's deepest and most heartfelt needs." Edwards p76 Am I bringing my hurting friends to Jesus with trust that he will meet their needs? Or am I trying to meet their needs and when all else fails ask Jesus for help?
Fasting, weddings, patches and wineskins Mark 2:18-22
"Although not a legal requirement except for the Day of Atonement, fasting had become in Jesus' day a prerequisite of religious commitment, a sign of atonement of sin and humiliation and penitence before God, and a general aid to prayer." p89 Fasting was an outward sign of true piety. We want those outward signs - that way people can tell we are good Christians. Troubling...
Jesus isn't against fasting. He says the day will come when his followers will fast - but not now. Not when the bridegroom - God himself- is with them. I wonder what they thought of that statement by Jesus. He doesn't stop there. "Jesus is the new patch and the new wine. He is not an attachment, addition or appendage to the status quo. He cannot be integrated into or contained by preexisting structures, even Judaism, Torah, and the synagogue.The question posed by the image of the wedding feast and the two parables is not whether disciples will, like sewing a new patch on an old garment or refilling an old container, make room for Jesus in their already full agendas and lives. The question is whether they will forsake business as usual and join the wedding celebration; whether they will become entirely new receptacles for the expanding fermentation of Jesus and the gospel in their lives." p92 How did your journey with Jesus begin? Did you add or become something new? I began life as a believer by adding Jesus to a strong Puritan work ethic. In my family, accomplishment and achievement was everything. So I applied that way of living to God. I worked hard to impress God with all I could do in the Christian world. A new patch on an old garment and it eventually ripped everything apart. I wondered if this was all there was to the Christian life. Empty, weary, and unable to do any more "for God", I began a new journey. This time I let go, opening myself to Jesus, joining the celebration and discovering the love and grace God had for me.

A New Topic

I am helping lead a study of the gospel of Mark. As I have been reading and interacting with the story, I thought it would be great to engage in a conversation as we study this good news together. So hear goes!!
All quotes are from a commentary on the gospel of Mark by my dear friend James Edwards. He is smart and deep and sheds great light on this book. So I am letting him help me along the way.
Mark 1
"The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God." v.1 The gospel which Jesus proclaims is in fact the gospel - the good news about himself. (from the NET Bible)
"In Mark's understanding, therefore, the gospel is more than a set of truths, or even a set of beliefs. It is a person, "the gospel of Jesus Christ." The kingdom that God inaugurates is bodily present in Jesus of Nazareth." p.25
Jesus is the good news. As I read and study Mark, I want to come to know Jesus in a deeper way. This isn't about knowing about him but about knowing him in such a way that the good news spills out of me in an attractive, compelling way.
I  love the story of Jesus' baptism. The sky splits apart much like the dividing of the Red Sea, the Spirit descends into Jesus, and "a voice came from heaven: 'You are my one dear Son; in you I take great delight.' v.11 God declares to all present and all who read who Jesus is. Do I believe Jesus is God's Son? It is where this journey begins. Being like Jesus means I humble myself and am open to and listening for whatever word God might speak.
Follow me - v. 17 I am invited to follow Jesus, a person - not a religion or a set of rules. Rules are easier. This journey into knowing Jesus demands more of my eyes, heart and mind. "Only as Jesus is followed can he be known." p. 50 I follow as Jesus teaches with authority - am I listening? jesus casts out demons - can this be real? Jesus heals the sick - I have much to learn about healing in Jesus' name. Jesus spends time alone in prayer - quiet, stillness, listening. I return to my practice of centering prayer. Jesus responds with compassion to those who ask for help. What is my response?
I have much to learn from Jesus. thank you Mark for your gospel that is Jesus.