Authority Unveiled: Miracles and Controversies in Mark 2

Mark 2 unveils a Jesus who is not only a miracle-worker but also a radical teacher challenging the religious norms of His time. He asserts His authority over sickness, sin, societal expectations, and even the Sabbath. The chapter reminds us that faith in Jesus might involve questioning old practices and assumptions, urging us to embrace the transformative power of His teachings.

Verses 1-12: Healing of the Paralytic

Jesus heals a paralytic lowered through the roof by his four friends, first forgiving the man's sins, which astonishes the crowd and incites murmurs among some scribes.

Verses 13-17: The Call of Levi (Matthew)

Jesus calls Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him. He later dines at Levi's house with many tax collectors and sinners, leading to criticism from the Pharisees. Jesus responds by declaring His mission to call sinners to repentance.

Verses 18-22: Fasting and the Kingdom

Jesus is questioned about fasting by John's disciples and the Pharisees. He uses the analogy of the bridegroom to explain the joy of the kingdom and employs the metaphors of new cloth on an old garment and new wine in old wineskins to highlight the incompatibility of His message with old religious practices.

Verses 23-28: The Lord of the Sabbath

Jesus and His disciples are criticized for picking grain on the Sabbath. Jesus defends their actions, asserting His lordship over the Sabbath and emphasizing its intended purpose – to serve humanity.

Mark 2 continues the narrative of Jesus' ministry, focusing on His miracles and teachings that further reveal His divine authority. However, these miracles and teachings do not go unchallenged, as the chapter also introduces conflicts with religious leaders. These disputes underline the radical nature of Jesus' message and His mission.

Authority and Power of Jesus
Forgiveness of Sins
The Controversy with Religious Leaders
The New and the OldHealing of the Paralytic
The Call of Levi (Matthew)
Fasting and the Kingdom
The Lord of the SabbathJesus
The Paralytic and his four friends
Levi (Matthew)
Pharisees
John's disciples
The disciples of JesusCapernaum
Levi's house

1. What does the healing of the paralytic reveal about Jesus' power and authority?

2. How does Jesus' response to the Pharisees' criticism over His company inform your understanding of His mission?

3. What do the metaphors of new cloth on an old garment and new wine in old wineskins teach about the incompatibility of Jesus' teachings with old religious customs?

4. How does Jesus assert His authority over the Sabbath, and what does it mean for our understanding of Sabbath observance?

5. How do the actions of the paralytic's friends exemplify faith and perseverance?

6. In calling Levi, a tax collector, to be His disciple, how does Jesus challenge societal norms and expectations?

7. How do Jesus' actions and teachings in Mark 2 challenge your personal religious assumptions?

8. How does the response of the crowd to Jesus' miracles and teachings in Mark 2 inform you about public opinion towards Jesus during His ministry?

9. What is the significance of Jesus' statement, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

10. How can we apply the principles seen in Jesus' interactions with the Pharisees to our current social and religious contexts?

11. How can we demonstrate the faith and determination seen in the friends of the paralytic in our lives today?

12. How does the calling of Levi challenge our notions of worthiness and acceptance?

13. What does the incident of the grain picking on the Sabbath teach about legalism versus the spirit of the law?

14. How can we ensure we are not adhering to old wineskins (old religious traditions) that might hinder the new thing God wants to do in our lives?

15. How does the revelation of Jesus as the 'Lord of the Sabbath' inform our understanding of rest and work?

16. How can the Pharisees' reaction to Jesus' actions serve as a caution against a judgmental and exclusive attitude in our own lives?

17. How does Jesus' interaction with sinners and societal outcasts in this chapter inform your personal ministry and outreach?

18. How should Jesus' explanation of the role of fasting impact our understanding and practice of this spiritual discipline?

19. How does Jesus' bold authority in His teachings and miracles inspire your personal faith journey?

20. In what ways does Mark 2 challenge you to embrace Jesus' transformative teachings in your daily life?