Mark | Ch. 2

From Daniel's Desk on 3/28/2020

My Title: The Old is Gone, The New Has Come

My Verse: 10-11

"10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" - He said to the paralytic- 11 I say to you, rise, pick up you bed, and go home."

My Response:

Are you, not only willing to do what God asks immediately, but also willing and READY to hear Him... GO WITH HIM into uncharted territory? Are you willing to follow Him away from things that have become traditional towards the BIGGER story that He's been telling since the beginning of time?

Dan, don't wait. Run. Just go. Just do it, whatever He asks, just do it. You will never regret it. - Even typing those words is hard for me. There is so much that is uncomfortable about letting go of the illusion of control. Following Him into the unknown only because I've heard Him call, even when it's to something that has no road map or security. But, He's provided for our every need and more abundantly than I could have ever asked. He has been so good to us. Remember HIS faithfulness when the shadow is dark and the ground shakes. His foundation will not be shaken.

How Will This Make You a Better Husband/Father/Man:

Lead your children to follow Him with their WHOLE HEARTS EARLY in life. - Lord, I want them to lead a life full of adventure. Not the fake, empty adventure I chased for far too long but a REAL life chasing after you. SEEING YOU AND YOUR HAND in their life. Lord, HELP ME to introduce them to you in a way that would make them forever HUNGRY for more of you.

My Notes:

The crowd is so heavy around Jesus that nobody can get near him. Four desperate friends KNOW that Jesus can heal their paralytic friend. They can't get in. They have a person who could be healed and people, humanity, WON'T LET HIM IN. So they tear the roof off. - Are you desperate with faith in Jesus?
Jesus uses this man's brokenness (and healing) to point out the faults in the hearts surrounding him. He uses this man's pain and faith to show off His power and AUTHORITY!
This man is healed and God is glorified!
Levi was AT WORK too when Jesus told him to follow Him. He IMMEDIATELY got up and followed Him.
Jesus was a FRIEND to the sinners. He wasn't a "kill joy" He made people WANT to hear what He had to say! < Seriously. Stop and think about that for a minute.
Jesus came NOT to call the righteous, but sinners! (vs. 17)
They ask why John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting but Jesus' disciples weren't... Jesus' response was purposefully intentional about making them take their focus OFF of meaningless tradition and pointing their attention, literally, on Himself.
Jesus COULDN'T USE those married to old traditions or those that only understood the OLD way of thinking. He was bringing a NEW covenant. He needed FISHERMEN willing to let go of tradition.
Tradition only puffs up man. Jesus was doing away with... fulfilling the old covenant and ushering in a NEW one. A BETTER ONE. Those that didn't want to see it were in love with what they could gain by manipulating the old covenant to their advantage.