Mark 2
by Pastor David Groendyk

The rapid-fire pace of the Gospel according to Mark is on full display in this chapter. We get four quick snapshots of who Jesus is and why he came to earth. Perhaps the best summary of this chapter (and much of Mark) is that it displays Jesus’ authority as the Son of Man. An interesting aspect of this chapter is that in each of the four snapshots, Jesus gives himself a name or title.

In the healing of the paralytic (vv. 1–12), Jesus calls himself the Son of Man. That title has a rich Old Testament background from Daniel 7. In proclaiming himself the Son of Man, Jesus is saying that he has all authority to rule over God’s kingdom and dominion, and the kingdom that he rules over is an everlasting one. Jesus is the everlasting King, and thus he has all authority. He has the authority to forgive sins, and he has the authority to heal diseases. No one but God alone can do those things. Why did it seem so blasphemous to the scribes that Jesus was forgiving sins? Because only the person who is wronged has the permission to forgive sins! Jesus is implicitly stating that he is the Lord against whom the paralytic has sinned. What a statement!

In the calling of Levi (vv. 13–17), Jesus calls himself the Physician. Now, while he has just physically healed a paralytic, the title of Physician is a spiritual one rather than a medical one. How scandalous it would have been to be seen at a party with prostitutes, thieves, drunkards, and loan sharks! Yet why is Jesus found hanging around with this crowd? Because those are the people who need the gospel. You don’t find doctors’ offices filled with healthy people. Likewise, we shouldn’t find churches filled with “good people” but with people who know they have no hope apart from a Savior. Do you consider yourself a “good person”? Then you have no need for a Savior. Only when you know you are a sick sinner will Jesus be of any use to you.

In the question about fasting (vv. 18–22), Jesus calls himself the Bridegroom. In the Old Testament, God was the bridegroom (see Isa. 62:5 or Hos. 2:19–20). The coming of the bridegroom to be with his people (i.e., bride) signaled the dawn of a new era (remember 1 Thessalonians 5:2 and the ‘day of the Lord’?). Hence, the new patch/old garment and new wine/old wineskin metaphors. Jesus is ushering in the new age of light and salvation. The result of the bridegroom finally appearing should be joy! How can anyone fast and mourn when the man of the hour is here? Conversely, since Jesus has been temporarily taken away from us bodily, we should be deeply longing for that day when we can be united with him.

In the question about the Sabbath (vv. 23–28), Jesus calls himself the Lord of the Sabbath. While this passage is instructive for us in how we should treat the Sabbath (the Pharisees are overly-restrictive in their view of the Sabbath while Jesus reorients us to view the Sabbath as a gift that’s meant to benefit mankind rather than be a burden), it’s meant to reiterate Jesus’ authority. By clarifying and correcting our understanding of the Sabbath, Jesus shows himself to be the only one who has authority over the Sabbath and can dictate how it is meant to be used.

In each of these stories, the faithful followers of Jesus are characterized by faith (v. 5), worship (v. 12), obedience (v. 14), evangelistic zeal (v. 15), and joy (v. 19). Conversely, the antagonists in these stories refuse to ask Jesus for forgiveness (v. 7), are more concerned about their reputation than reaching out to sinners (v. 16), and would rather cling to their own manmade rules and traditions than have them challenged and corrected by Jesus (vv. 18, 24). Do you truly know Jesus Christ, the authoritative Son of Man, as your Savior? Is your life marked by the characteristics of a true follower and disciple?