Reflecting On The Second Week Of Lent

At the end of Mark 2, Jesus is questioned about his disciple’s action on the Sabbath. The chapter ends with an amazing claim by Jesus: "So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." It was statements like these that led C.S. Lewis to write:

"You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to." -C.S. Lewis

"A Quote from Mere Christianity." www.goodreads.com

The Sabbath controversy continues in Mark 3. The opposition to Jesus healing a man with a shrivelled hand was so great that the Pharisees were willing to plot with their enemies, the Herodians, on how they might kill Jesus. Yet Jesus continued to minister, doing so in the power of the Spirit and as the Son of God. Jesus also calls, out of the crowd of followers, twelve men. Mark says, "He appointed twelve so that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and have authority to drive out demons" (3:14–15).

One of the phrases that is easy to skip over but is important for us to notice is "He appointed twelve that they might be with him..." Community was important to Jesus. Space alone was vital, but so was community. For the next couple of years, these men would grow together as they spent time with Jesus and experienced both his rebukes and his encouragements. After his death and resurrection, they would continue his work. Two questions for you to consider:

1. Where does community fit into your life?

2. Are there a group of people or person you meet with regularly that helps you become more like Jesus?

As you read through this section, listen to Jesus’ teachings, listen to his claims, look at what he is able to do, and ask yourself: "

1. Who is Jesus?

2. What does that mean for me at this time in my life?

If you have questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at p.a.rigby72@gmail.com.