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by Sandy Shaw
In Mark Chapter 3 verse 6, we learn that there is a plot to kill Jesus. The Pharisees got together with those who were around Herod – a puppet king. In Herod’s palace there had been a man called John the Baptist.
Herod could not stand rivals and Herod could not stand preachers.
Amazing coalitions take place when hatred enters men’s hearts.
They would not touch the sinners. They would not touch the tax collectors, but they would join up with Herod’s people.
It began in thought. It moved on into words, and then onto deeds and action.
I could never be taken to court for my thoughts, but my words and deeds, in these days, could make a difference and change the situation – deeds and acts and writing - certainly.
Jesus had challenged their authority.
That was why they began to hate Jesus.
People do not like to see their authority vanishing – but Jesus is challenging them in various ways.
They began by murmuring and finished by murdering.
They began by complaining about Jesus and His words and His behaviour, and finished by condemning the Son of God.
It began with murder in their hearts – then they spoke to the disciples – then they spoke to Jesus – then they plotted to kill Him.
There was a dangerous beginning, and that is where it should be dismissed and cut off from our hearts and minds.
How does all this antagonism grow and develop and escalate into something very serious? It begins with reasoning.
These men, who are criticising, should have fallen down and worshipped Him, like the wise men.
Jesus is questioned about fasting, because John the Baptist’s disciples fasted.
It is as if these disciples of mine are at a wedding. They have got Me. The day will come when they will fast.
My way is new, and your ways are old, and you cannot mix the two.
John the Baptist had accepted someone else coming to take over. He must increase but I must decrease. Not many can say that.
Should a doctor be amongst the sick? Is it right to do good or do harm?
Jesus was challenging – about fasting – and Jesus taught – fast but do not let anybody know.
Fasting has got to be real. It has got be joined with inner thoughts and attitudes.
He was also challenging regarding sin and forgiveness and the Sabbath. Jesus Christ knew what was on-going.
Notice in verse 20, that Jesus speaks about being “taken” – not going away, but “taken”. Jesus was very aware of what would happen one day.
Verse 21 – Did they have to patch clothes in Jesus’ home? Jesus came from a financially poor home. You cannot patch old clothes with new unshrunk cloth. When it rains and gets wet it will pull away from the old material. Jesus knew about that.
The new unshrunk cloth would shrink when washed and pull away from the garment, wasting it and ruining it. Jesus did not come to waste and ruin anything.
If you put new lively wine in old wineskins, the life will burst the old wineskins.
I am the forgiver of sins – but they knew only God could forgive sin.
If only they had recognised that this was God. God was in Christ.
They regarded what Jesus was saying and doing as blasphemy, even watching Jesus’ disciples picking ears of corn on the Sabbath.
Jeremiah asked – is there no physician? Jesus claimed to be that physician and Jesus here calls Himself the Lord of the Sabbath. That would shock many of those who heard Him.
The Pharisees needed the medication of repentance, but they were unaware of their need – or were they? We never know with some people we meet.
They did detect something significant in what Jesus was saying and it bothered them.
The only one who can rewrite the laws is the one who made them.
He is the One who can give real rest and He is the source of the deep peace we so need.
Verse 28 – Jesus uses that phrase, the Son of Man – which is taken up from Daniel.
In these Chapters we see challenging questioning. The disciples are questioned. Jesus is questioned. There is the accusation of breaking the law, and Jesus replies in His firm, but gracious way.
The questioning and rejection leads to plotting – to destroy – but of course, they cannot – and that is what we need to remember and hold onto in these present days, as we serve the risen and living Jesus.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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