The Servant's Critics | Mark 2:18-3:6
We live in a unique time where it seems like everybody, regardless of how old they are or what stage of life they are in or what they have experienced, seems to have the ability to give their opinion and comment to a public audience. Have you noticed that? With the revelation of social media, it's so interesting how certain people who, maybe you and I would never give an influential voice into our lives, because of social media, are able to speak out and sometimes create a massive following, people whose advice we would never consider, but because of social media, they're able to broadcast their opinions.
This phenomenon extends far beyond just social media. It encompasses people's opinions about situations, politics, people, and products. We live in a very product review opinion-driven society, which can sometimes be more harmful than helpful. I'll admit that there have been things I have not purchased because of a bad review online. Anyone else like that? There might be ten five-star reviews, but the one-star review, written by someone upset about something else, makes me reconsider. There have been Airbnbs I haven't stayed at with my family because of one bad review, even if it had 250 five-star reviews. The smallest criticism can change our opinions and even our financial decisions.
While it's great to get information and hear other people's opinions about products and certain things, we have become a very critical society. Social media has revealed and amplified this fact. Criticism, distrust, and negativity have compounded, and it's visible everywhere, even in the church.
You might not know this, but often, on our social media posts or YouTube channel, we get negative comments. Can you believe that? People making negative comments about City Baptist? Hopefully, they're watching right now. Just this week, we posted a video clip from last week's sermon, and it started getting several negative comments. Some of you are checking that right now—go put a positive comment on there! Let's encourage a little bit. The criticism often comes from people who haven't watched the entire sermon. They take a small clip, build a critical narrative around it, and feel compelled to post a negative comment. If they just watched the whole sermon, they would understand the context.
In Mark chapter 2, we find Jesus facing criticism and opposition, primarily from the religious elite. These groups of people saw Jesus as a threat to their control over the people. As Jesus' ministry gained popularity, the scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees began to criticize, question, slander, and even threaten His ministry. They were intent on discrediting and limiting Jesus' influence.
The Criticism Over Fasting
As we turn to Mark 2:18, we see Jesus criticized over fasting. The disciples of John and the Pharisees used to fast, and they asked Jesus why His disciples did not fast. This question likely arose after the feast at Levi's house, where Jesus dined with publicans and sinners, people the Pharisees deemed unworthy. The Pharisees, known for their public displays of fasting and holiness, used John the Baptist's followers to strengthen their argument. John the Baptist's followers lived an aesthetic lifestyle, often fasting, which the Pharisees considered a mark of true spirituality.
The Old Testament mentions fasting only once, around the Day of Atonement. However, the Pharisees added their traditions, declaring that fasting should occur on Mondays and Thursdays. They made sure everyone knew they were fasting by looking sad, wearing old clothes, and putting ashes on their faces. They imposed these additional fasts as a measure of holiness.
When questioned about fasting, Jesus responded with an analogy. He compared His time on earth to a wedding celebration. In ancient Jewish weddings, the couple would stay home for a week, hosting an open house for continual feasting and celebration. Guests of the bridegroom were exempt from all fasting, as anything that lessened their joy was forbidden. Jesus identified Himself as the bridegroom, and His followers as the bride. As long as the groom was present, it was a time of celebration, not fasting. He prophesied about His impending death, stating that after He was taken away, fasting would be appropriate.
Jesus emphasized that His presence brought joy and newness. He did not come to patch up old traditions but to make all things new. He used the analogy of new cloth on an old garment and new wine in old wineskins to illustrate that He came to establish a new covenant, a new way of life.
Confrontation Over the Sabbath
The Pharisees, relentless in their criticism, soon confronted Jesus over Sabbath observance. In Mark 2:23-28, Jesus and His disciples were walking through grain fields on the Sabbath, plucking heads of grain to eat. The Pharisees accused them of breaking the Sabbath, as plucking grain was considered work. The Sabbath, from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday, was a day set aside as holy to the Lord. While the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy was not specific, the Pharisees had built an extensive set of rules around it, making it a burden rather than a blessing.
Jesus responded by referencing a story about King David, who ate the showbread meant only for priests when he and his men were hungry. By comparing His actions to David's, Jesus justified His disciples' actions, emphasizing that meeting human needs took precedence over strict Sabbath observance. He declared that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Jesus asserted His authority as the Lord of the Sabbath, revealing Himself as the one who determines what is lawful and unlawful.
In Mark 3:1-6, Jesus entered the synagogue, where a man with a withered hand was present. The Pharisees watched to see if Jesus would heal on the Sabbath, hoping to accuse Him. Jesus, aware of their intentions, asked them if it was lawful to do good or evil on the Sabbath, to save life or to kill. The Pharisees remained silent. Jesus, grieved by their hardness of heart, healed the man, restoring his hand.
This miracle highlighted Jesus' authority and compassion. He emphasized that it is always right to do good, even on the Sabbath. The Pharisees, however, were more concerned with their traditions than with human need. Their response to Jesus' miracle was to conspire with the Herodians on how to destroy Him.
Lord of Our Lives
The criticism and opposition Jesus faced from the Pharisees reveal the stark contrast between human tradition and divine compassion. The Pharisees, steeped in tradition and self-righteousness, missed the essence of God's love and grace. Jesus came not to uphold human traditions but to fulfill God's law with love, compassion, and newness of life.
In our lives today, we too must choose how we respond to Jesus. Will we accept Him as Lord and Savior, embracing the newness of life He offers? Or will we cling to our traditions, missing the true essence of His message? Jesus' call is for us to trust Him completely, making Him the center of our lives.
For those who know the Lord, the challenge is to examine our own lives and ensure that we are not like the Pharisees, burdening ourselves and others with unnecessary traditions. Instead, let us embrace the joy and freedom that comes from a genuine relationship with Jesus, making Him the Lord of our lives.
