Vol. 1 Issue 19
Vol. 1 Issue 19
Capernaum – In last weeks issue we suggested that there might be some controversy brewing for the rabbi from Nazareth. Jesus’ popularity has attracted the attention of some religious leaders in Capernaum. After returning home from his travels through out the region, many people gathered at the house where he was staying to hear his teachings and to be healed by him. "Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’
Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, ‘Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’
Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, ‘Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins....’ He said to the paralytic, ‘I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.’ He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’" (Mark 2:3-12 NIV)
A few days later "while Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and ‘sinners’ were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the ‘sinners’ and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?’ On hearing this, Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’" (Mark 2:15-17 NIV)
Soon after this "some people came and asked Jesus, ‘How is it that John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?’
Jesus answered, ‘How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.’" (Mark 2:18b-20 NIV)
Watching and listening to Jesus, it is evident that he intends to reshape the religious, social and traditional beliefs of his followers. It is equally evident that this is causing conflict with the religious, social and traditional leaders of the people. At some point his disciples will be forced to decide whether to follow Jesus or follow the leaders.
If you have comments or suggestions, email me at gerrys@christianlight.com