Jesus Arouses Opposition

GOLDEN TEXT: “Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in Me.” —Matthew 11:6

MARK 2:18-28

THE common people of Jesus’ day heard him gladly. It was this which displeased the religious rulers of Jesus’ day. After Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead they said, “If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him.” To hide their own motive of jealousy, they added, “and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.”—John 11:48

Jesus was, to a large extent, a nonconformist, both in teaching and in practice. This, of course, gave the scribes and Pharisees the excuse they wanted to oppose him. Jesus did not violate the Law as given by Moses—not when properly interpreted—but he did not hesitate to break with the traditions of the elders, many of which were set forth in the Talmud. The religious leaders of the time made little distinction between the Law and tradition, so that the people generally probably did not know that there was a difference.

One of the points raised by the scribes and Pharisees in today’s lesson concerned fasting. They asked Jesus why he and his disciples did not fast as they did, and as John the Baptist and his disciples fasted. The Law did not demand fasting. It seems to have been first practiced by the Israelites during the period of the judges, and in times of distress and sorrow. It was a sign of penitence and humiliation.

The reason Jesus gave for not fasting was certainly logical and true. He said, “Can the children of the bride-chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.” (vss. 19,20) Jesus, of course, was the “bridegroom,” and while he was with his disciples they were joyous and therefore it was no time to be fasting.

Jesus continued by presenting two parables, both of which illustrated why he did not believe it wise to conform to the customs of his day. The first parable showed the unwisdom of sewing a new patch on an old garment; the other of putting new wine in old wineskins. (vss. 21,22) Jesus did not attempt to “patch up” Judaism. Under the leadership of the scribes and Pharisees too much had become wrong with it. Nor was the religious setup of his day capable of receiving and containing his teachings, the “new wine” which he was presenting. His work was to begin building something new, even the kingdom of heaven, so there was no point in trying to conform to the old typical arrangement, especially since it had become corrupted with the traditions of the elders.

Jesus’ enemies continued to oppose, asking why he permitted his disciples to break the sabbath by plucking corn and eating it on the sabbath day. Jesus’ reply to his enemies reveals that they had failed to grasp the real spirit of this commandment. First he reminded them of the time when, in dire necessity, David broke the law pertaining to eating the showbread in the tabernacle, which only the priests were ordinarily allowed to eat. Then, answering the scribes and Pharisees specifically, Jesus said, “The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath.”—vs. 27

This was simple enough. The basic purpose of the sabbath was to afford man an opportunity to rest and thus to conserve his strength and lengthen his life. Why, then, should it be a sin for the disciples, when hungry, to pluck a few ears of corn for their sustenance on the sabbath? The answer was obvious.

Jesus then explained that he was “Lord also of the sabbath.” The literal sabbath day of Israel was a period of rest from the works which provided the needs of life. Eternal life has been provided through Christ and those who put their trust in him cease from their own faulty works of righteousness and receive life from Christ. (Heb. 4:1,3) Besides, Jesus is Lord and king of that thousand-year day of the kingdom when all who will, may obtain rest and life through him.

Our Golden Text is associated with Jesus’ reply to John the Baptist, in which he offered proofs of his messiahship; that is his miracles and his message of good news to the poor and to all. In the Golden Text, instead of the word “offended” the Revised Version reads, “no occasion for stumbling.” This does not pertain to opposition to Jesus, but failure to understand his message and work.

QUESTIONS

What was one of the main reasons for opposition to Jesus?

Explain Jesus’ reasons for not conforming to the customs of his day.

Explain Jesus’ statement, “The sabbath was made for man.”

In what way is Jesus Lord of the sabbath?

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