Mark Chapter 2

Mark Chapter 2

Jesus in the house! That's right, here comes JC trotting into the next town "and it was noised that he was in the house". Holla!

So many people jambed into the shack where he was preaching that he couldn't even see the door. Wow! What a crowd. I wonder how big that assembly hall was. Hmm. They listened to him preach for a while and that was really interesting, but let's face it, by now he had more of a reputation as a miracle worker. So, it wasn't long before everyone was begging him to heal this guy with "palsy" who was also "born of four" (I'm not entirely sure if that means he was a quadruplet... poor mom!... or just had three siblings). Now, in case you don't know what palsy is, I'll tell you a little side story. My sister (they very one co-authoring this blog with me) once had Bell's Palsy and half her face was temporarily paralyzed (yipes!). So, I'm let to believe that all palsy is related to paralysis. However, to continue on our biblical journey...

Anyway, this particular family with the "palsy" character can't get into the crowded building, so they break through the roof and lower the bed down. JC was probably thinking, I bet "excuse me" would have worked, but removing the roof was certainly one way to do it. But, Jesus gets down to business and tells the sicky that all his sins were forgiven, which I'm sure was a great relief to a victim of paralysis, just imagine that kind of sinning that dude had probably been up to. Well, some scribes were a little concerned by this proclamation (apparently they'd been dozing a bit during the rest of JC's little talk). You see they were pretty sure that only God could forgive sins, not some lowly human. Jesus understands that they're questioning him, so he gives a little test. He asks these curious scribes whether it would be easier for him to forgive a man's sins or get this guy out of bed and walking around. He figures that by making this guy walk before their eyes they'll believe he can forgive their sins. So walk this bedridden fella does! Woo hoo! (I'm not completely sure I would have bought that little shenanigan. I mean David Blane performs all kinds of fancy tricks but I don't go to him for absolution. But, whatever, that's just me.)

Feeling like he made his point pretty clearly, JC continues on to the seashore where he taught a multitude! JC never tires of teaching. He picks up another disciple named Levi who I assume will come into play later because the book goes out it's way to mention him by name. Then, JC and all his disciples sit "at meat in his house" (Levi's house I'm guessing), and all kinds of publicans (no idea who they are, but apparently they're a lowly sort) and sinners join them for a meal. Well the scribes and Pharisees see this and they just can't understand what the heck he's up to. But Jesus tells them it's pretty much similiar to the way that people who are heathy don't need doctors. He's no here to tend to those who are spiritually well, but rather those that are sick with sin. Awww! That's sweet. JC's a nice guy, even if we did learn he hold a little mini grudge against lepers.

These same scribes are confused by one more little part of the puzzle. They're all used to fasting so they don't get why JC's disciple's are scarfing down the food. Jesus tells them, that it's like fasting at a wedding. When the bridegroom is around you eat. But, he gets all ominous and tells them that days are acoming where he won't be around and then all these folks are going to abstain from food once again! He then goes on to explain that if you sew a new piece of cloth onto old clothes you can really make the rip in them much worse. (Yeah, not real sure how that plays in). Then he reminds people not mix new wine into old wine because apparently the bottles will burst and the wine will be spilled (I like how JC thinks. Spilling wine IS a tragedy).

Once he finishes his extremely important warnings the Sabbath day comes and JC takes his followers for a little walk through the corn fields where they pick some corn. The scribes and Pharisees are just beside themselves. What?? This is unlawful. JC what ARE you doing? And Jesus is like chill out dudes. David ate some bread in a house of God that was supposed to be for the priest AND he gave it to his friends. If David can do it, why can't Jesus? Jesus concludes the chapter by letting everyone know that the sabbath was made for man (apparently as a gift). And for no particular reason we get an excellent "therefore" clause. Apparently, because the sabbath was made for man and not man for the sabbath the Son of man is also Lord of the sabbath. Of course. The logic is flawless.

Well, whatever, logic is not supposed to be the bible's strong suit. What did we learn in this chapter? Umm, I learned that Jesus makes a lot of leaps in his reasoning that I'm not real comfortable with. Well, too each their own, can't wait to see what the son of god is up to in Chapter 3.