All are welcome
In verses 13-17 we find Jesus eating with members of society that a man, who was interested in his image, should not be seen with. Not only those who were religious outcasts; the sinners, but also the social / political outcasts; the tax collectors. (These guys were locals collecting money on behalf of Rome.) This is great news for those on the outside of Christianity looking in. It shows that nobody is unacceptable to dine with Jesus. He welcomes everybody in.
The rules for a reason
In verses 18-28 Jesus is challenged about his adherence to religious law. A major question mark, even today, that people have when seeking to engage with God is that they see Christianity as a list of rules. This is far from the truth. Christianity is about having a relationship with Jesus. As we can see from Jesus’ responses in this passage the rules are there to benefit the human race; not to inhibit it. God created us, He invented life, He is the grand designer and He alone knows how we can get the most out of it; to life to the full.
A poor reflection
The anger and distress shown by Jesus at the start of chapter 3 is felt by many when they hear of so called “Good People”, and religious groups, offering “spiritual” help but not actually doing anything practical in the situation. How many times how we herd Christians offer to pray for the hungry when, if they simply gave them some food they, would be the answer to their own prayer. This is another example of how the church over the years has served to lead people to a poor reflection of Christ. In-fact, often, a picture of the very sort of people Jesus opposed and generally upset. Those people looking at Christianity would do well to go straight to this Gospel and see a true picture of Jesus painted. It may well be a little different to what is expected.
We see in verse 6 the consequences of Jesus’ actions. He was clearly upsetting the status quo. Those who did not like his teaching began plotting to kill him; and we are so far only in chapter 3!!
Break down the barriers
Mark, in his Gospel to unbelievers, seeks to paint a picture of the true Jesus. While many may reject Church, and even reject Christians, the life of Jesus presents a challenge like no other. Our job is to break down the barriers and introduce our friends; not to religion, not to church, not even to our Christian buddies, but to Jesus himself.
1:31 pm
Bob, i think there’s a sense of hiding behind the spirituality that goes on quite a bit, with regards to praying for things that we could be getting out and doing ourselves. Is church a place of Spirit dwelling, or a launchpad into the community to be served? My guess is it has to be a bit of both, otherwise as you say, the answers to prayer will just be sat in the building not realising that they are the ones who can make a difference. We wait for miracles, without realising that in some situations, WE can be the miracle in someones life…that is as long as we are doing it for Gods glory and not for ourselves.
The challenge though, is CONSISTENCY and perseverance. I can think clearly of a time when a few of us were coming up with an idea for outreach down Elm Grove. Sadly, and to my shame, there were so few people prepared to get into it, that i became discouraged and didn’t follow it through. I can think of times when i’ve come across a homeless person and given them food, chatted for a bit…and then there’s other times when i’ve done…nothing. Surely the kind of practical effort Jesus meant was consistent and meeting needs, rather than one-off acts of kindness. Now without digging a hole for myself, there are situations where the one-off is enough to change a life, but when the need is right on our doorstep…what would Jesus do?