The Scandal of Jesus
Mark 2:13-3:6
Main Idea: Jesus is scandalous to those who care more about religious self-righteousness than humbly receiving the gospel.
I. The Scandal of Grace (2:13-17)
As Jesus continues to call disciples to follow him, he controversially calls Levi (Matthew), a tax-collector. In this time period, tax-collectors were despised because they were paid by exploiting and extorting, and they were viewed as traitors who ensured Roman occupation continued over the Jewish people.
Jesus, dignifying Levi, goes to his home, shares a meal with him (signifying friendship, acceptance, and intimacy), and throws a party with more “sinners” and tax-collectors joining in. The Pharisees are threatened by this activity of Jesus. Their concern over strict observance of the Torah and public morality had created a rigid “exterior” focused religious practice that began to overvalue tradition to the neglect of the intent of the Law and love of others (cf. Lk. 18:9).
“The scandal of this story is that Jesus does not make moral repentance a precondition of his love and acceptance. Rather, Jesus loves and accepts tax collectors and sinners as they are. If they forsake their evil and amend their lives, they do so not in order to gain Jesus’ favor but because Jesus has loved them as sinners.” ~ James Edwards
Jesus’ calling of Levi as a disciple does not deny the reality or the seriousness of sin (cf 1:14-15); it is, however, a reminder that we are not excluded from following Jesus because of our sin. We are all “sick” and in need of a Savior. The question is: do you realize you are a sinner? Or are you “righteous” with no need for Jesus?
Matthew 21:31b: Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you.
“Churches should be more like a waiting room for a doctor than the waiting room for a job interview.” ~ Tim Keller
II. The Scandal of Feasting (2:18-22)
Another conflict arises with Jesus related to fasting, one of the main pillars of Judaism (along with almsgiving and prayer). The Pharisees normally fasted twice a week, even though the OT only required one day of fasting a year (on the Day of Atonement). It was a sign of religious commitment and a seriousness toward the things of God.
Jesus’ followers, however, do not fast, because the “bridegroom” is with them. The whole point of fasting is to draw near to God, and Jesus is telling them that God has come to them and is in their midst. As long as Jesus is with them, it is not a time for mourning or fasting, but feasting and joyful celebration, just like a wedding celebration (cf. Amos 9:13).
The Pharisees do not rejoice, however, because they do not acknowledge who Jesus is. Matthew 11:19: The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’
Jesus gives two parables common to everyday life in this time period, each one teaching that combining something new with something old will destroy both. Jesus is saying that he is something new. He has come not to abolish the Law, but to fulfill the Law and show the point of all religious observance is to receive the bridegroom.
“The question posed by the image of the wedding feast and the two parables is not whether disciples will, like sewing a new patch on an old garment or refilling an old container, make room for Jesus in their already full agendas and lives. The question is whether they will forsake business as usual and join the wedding celebration; whether they will become entirely new receptacles for the expanding fermentation of Jesus and the gospel in their lives.” ~ James Edwards
III. The Scandal of True Religion (2:23-3:6)
Two final conflicts with the Pharisees deal with issues related to Sabbath-observance, one of the key markers of Jewish identity in the Greco-Roman world. Typically, Jesus intensifies the Law (cf. Sermon on the Mount), but he takes a different approach with the Sabbath for a few reasons:
The Sabbath was being twisted & misused (2:23-27)
The Pharisees' theology communicated that “man was made for the Sabbath” rather than the “Sabbath was made for man.” The Law of God was not to restrict and burden, but to lead to life and flourishing.The Sabbath was being weaponized (3:1-6)
The Pharisees were so concerned about their religious “correctness” and their authority in interpreting the Law that they were willing to use this man and his suffering for their evil schemes. Jesus is angered by their “hardness of heart” and silence to his simple question.The Sabbath was ultimately about Jesus (2:28)
Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath and the point of it all. We are designed to find “rest for our souls” (Mt. 11:28-30) not in our own religious observance, but in Jesus alone.
Jesus comes as our bridegroom forgiving, befriending, and feasting with sinners, inviting us to true rest and restoration in him. Have you humbly received his offer, seeing yourself as a sinner in need of grace, or are you “righteous” on your own with no need for him?
*Bonus Content (MArk 3:7-35)
Pastor Ian and Pastor Andrew recorded a podcast discussion surrounding the remaining portions of Chapter 3 which were not covered during the sermon on Sunday morning. You see both the video and audio recordings of this bonus content below.
