Mark 2:18–3:6 | Jesus' Authority & The Law

Preacher: Joel Fair
Scripture: Mark 2:18–3:6

1. Lord of the Sabbath VS 2:23-28
2. Sabbath Restores Life VS 3:1-6

James Edwards
The required fast on the Day of Atonement lasted a full twenty-four hours, whereas voluntary fasts as a rule extended only from dawn to dusk. Although not a legal requirement except in one instance, fast- ing 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. The rabbis often referred to fasting as “an affliction of the soul,” thereby designating it as a characteristic and sacrificial act of piety.

Luke 18:9-14
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

John 16:20
Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.

Matthew 5:17
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

Genesis 2:1-3
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.

J. Woodhouse
More than that, we may sense that God’s Law is intended to serve, not hinder, the coming of God’s kingdom. It is possible, as the Pharisees of Jesus’ day would prove again, to oppose God’s king in the name of obedience to God’s Law!

R. C. Sproul
The hypocritical religious authorities provoked Him to anger. The Greek word Mark uses here is not the word used for simple annoyance or even righteous indignation. It is the word for fury. Jesus was outraged that the religious leaders cared more about their traditions than the welfare of a suffering human being. But His anger was mixed with pain. Mark tells us that Jesus was grieved in His soul at the hardness of their hearts. In other words, He had compassion for them, too.

Colossians 3:1-4
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.