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Opposition to Jesus (Mark 2 and Mark 3)

by Wayne Davies  
10/04/2014 / Bible Studies

The opening chapter of Mark presents an incredibly attractive picture of Jesus of Nazareth. Chapter 1 opens with John the Baptizer preparing the people for the coming King (1:2-8). Jesus is baptized by John in the Jordan River and the Father announces for all to hear that this Man is indeed the Son of God (1:9-11). Jesus then spends 40 days in the wilderness, successfully resisting the devil's temptations while fasting (1:12).

After John the Baptizer is imprisoned, Jesus goes to Galilee to begin his ministry of preaching the gospel of the kingdom (1:14-15). He calls four fisherman to follow him in this ministry (1:16-20), and he establishes Capernaum, where Peter lives, as his base of operations. Whether in the synagogue (1:21-28) or in Peter's home (1:29-34), his days are filled with teaching, healing and casting out demons. His fame spreads rapidly (1:28) and the crowds become so large that at times it becomes physically impossible for Jesus to visit these small towns. His healing of a leper causes such a reaction that Jesus if forced to withdraw to a remote place until the fervor subsides (1:40-45). Nevertheless, "people still came to him from everywhere" (1:45).

Then we come to Mark 2 and this account takes on a different tone. Jesus continues to meet the physical and spiritual needs of all he encounters, but now Mark introduces a new and startling element to the ministry of Jesus: opposition. Specifically, the opposition of the Jewish religious leaders, identified as "teachers of the law" (2:6) and "Pharisees" (2:16), becomes prominent in Mark 2 and Mark 3.

As we provide an overview of this section of Mark's account, keep in mind that each of these five episodes presents an important teaching about the glorious person and/or work of Jesus, while at the same time showing the growing animosity of the religious elite. This is truly a brilliant study in contrast.

Forgiving the paralytic (2:1-12)
Jesus: Since he is the God-Man, Jesus has the authority and power to both forgive sins and heal a paralytic.
The Opposition: Jesus cannot be God, therefore his claim to forgive sin is blasphemy.

Dinner at Matthew's house (2:13-17)
Jesus: He is the Great Physician, who has come to save the spiritually sick, including Matthew the despised tax collector and his many vile associates ("sinners" in the eyes of the self-righteous Pharisees).
The Opposition: By associating with the scum of the earth, Jesus, too, must be unclean. What faithful Jew would have anything to do with these reprobates?

A question about fasting (2:18-22)
Jesus: Why should Jesus and his disciples fast? He has come to proclaim the kingdom of God in word and deed. This is a time to celebrate, not mourn.
The Opposition: Any good Jew would fast twice a week. Jesus doesn't do that, and neither do his disciples. Therefore he can't be from God.

Picking grain on the Sabbath (2:23-28)
Jesus: As God, he is Lord of all and certainly Lord of the Sabbath. For Jesus and his disciples to pick grain on the Sabbath to meet their physical needs is no crime.
The Opposition: This is a clear violation of the Pharisees' interpretation of the Old Testament Sabbath law. Guilty as charged!

Healing on the Sabbath (3:1-6)
Jesus: He came to do good, and there is no law in the Old Testament that condemns doing good on the Sabbath.
The Opposition: Again, he is guilty of breaking the Sabbath and because he does this repeatedly, the death penalty is the appropriate punishment for his crimes.

The stage is now set. The King is here and so is his opposition. This conflict will continue to increase in intensity and will eventually result in the crucifixion of the Messiah, which God paradoxically uses to provide salvation for sinners. Only God can take the evil deeds of sinful men and turn them into the most glorious event in the history of the world.

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