When Religion Rubs Against Relationship

Mark 2:18-28

Introduction

Would you agree that we go by this life in somewhat of a formula as to how one should live? And when someone lives out life in a different manner than our standard it tends to create a rub or at least for some people.

And...what I mean there are actions we find normal and then there are those things that are outside of our bailiwick that tend to throw us as we see others live life in a different manner. Let’s admit it...we all have those standards we operate by and when someone acts or functions in a way that upsets the applecart we can either verbalize something, think it under our breath, communicate it to our spouses, but there are things in this world that jolt what we find as normal behavior.

Ill. We have a new grandbaby that came Friday morning, Daisy, and Daisy was 8 lbs and 20.5 inches long and a perfect little baby girl. Aren’t all babies just perfect.

We are keeping her brother and sister while Mom and Dad acclimate to the new baby in the hospital. It is interesting as to what startles our grandchildren. They are thrown when the electric garage doors open. They are frightful of elevators. You see, these are activities and events they have not been exposed to. It upsets their normal.

We all have triggers that arrest us and place us out of our comfort zones.

This morning we are going to see that even in our faith there can be behaviors that place us in unfamiliar territory. When we see someone really sold out for Jesus and they are so cheerful and liberated and tearful it can upset our religious equilibrium.

The manner in which someone exercises their faith may cause us to question their spirituality because they do not fit in our box as to the way we think normal aspects of worship should be manifest.

This morning we will study two encounters between Jesus and the religious elite that are defining moments that reveal the heart of the religiosity that Jesus encountered.

As we study this text this morning I want you to internalize this text in our time together. Is this me? Am I guilty of responding in like manner? What side of the fence am I on in this story?

Turn this morning in your Bibles to Mark 2:18-28.

Mark 2:18-28

Mark 2:18–28 NKJV

18 The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting. Then they came and said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?” 19 And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. 20 But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days. 21 No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; or else the new piece pulls away from the old, and the tear is made worse. 22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.” 23 Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees said to Him, “Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” 25 But He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: 26 how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?” 27 And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28 Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”

Prayer

Message

This morning I want us to discuss some flash words that causes us to look inward at our own lives as we study this text.

The first flash word I want placed on the screen is the word FOCUS.

Focus-When Religion Fixates on the Wrong Thing V. 18

Everyone in this room has a distinct way in which you were reared. There are things you value. There are ways that seem normal and others seem bizarre to say the least.

Our aim today is to discover how Christ can retool our thoughts about so many things in this life. Jesus can retool how we respond to those things that normally we struggle with and He can change our hearts. Amen.

For our time to be effective this morning you need to be true to yourself as we look at these flash words.

Let me give you an example as to how the heart thinks at times:

You are a person raising a family, hitting the pavement every morning at 7 am. You are working to put food on the table, rearing children, struggling to pay a mortgage, clothe and take care of your family. And...you encounter this person that doesn’t seemingly have two nickels they can rub together. They seem to have life by the strings. They are such free birds with laughter and such a care free spirit. Nothing seems to phase them. Why is that?

This same person that I described that is pursuing a life of bettering themselves, chasing education, working up the ladder at work, structured, disciplined, and pressing forward and they ride down a state highway heading into work and they see this person that is hiking the Appalachian or crossing the country for a year, no job other than temp work to support their adventure, no responsibilities other than their immediate survival. Do you remember Forrest Gump when he ran across America? You get my drift. They are living out of a tent and enjoying life each day in the moment. And you might say, “why in the world would someone do such a thing?”

At this point in our study of Mark if you have walked with us through this study you begin to sense that the tension is building between the religiosity and Jesus. We have studied from Mark 2:1-17 to this point. There are five stories in Mark 2:1-3:6 that reveals an intensifying struggle between the religious leaders and Jesus. What is the rub? The religiosity of Jesus’ day were comfortable with religion, but they were very uncomfortable with Jesus. Short and sweet.

Mark 2:18 “18 The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting. Then they came and said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?””

The disciples of John the Baptist and the disciples of the Pharisees were following their leaders in the example of fasting. We must understand that we all are following something or someone. There are those that you can think of that you emulated in your upbringing. They had an impact on why you are as you are.

These disciples were emulating their leaders. They fasted. Pharisees emerged around the time of the Maccabean Revolt around 168 BC. The Pharisees had been in existence 2 centuries by Jesus day. The name Pharisee means “separated one” or “holy one.” They were against Hellenism meaning that they were trying to return Jewish life to the days before Greco-Roman influence. Over time the Jews as a whole had blended with society. Pharisees of Jesus day numbered around 6,000 and made up one percent of the population. They were truly a religious elitist group.

What was the foundational beliefs of the Pharisees? Over those 200 years they followed the “tradition of the elders”, those Pharisees that influenced them. They believed in the sovereignty of God, human accountability for virtue and vice, the resurrection of the dead; angels and demons; and a rigid adherence to the Torah (our OT) along with the oral traditions (The Mishna and the Talmud) based on the Torah. I mentioned the “traditions of the elders”, these elders over those 200 years wrote interpretations of the Torah and they became as rigid as the OT itself. And...in the same breath, they had great disdain for those who were either ignorant, negligent or violators of the teaching of the Torah and the oral traditions.

I stated this last week that Jesus stood more in the corner of the Pharisees than any other sect in Judaism. There are very few incidences when Jesus interacts with Sadducees, Herodians, Zealots and none between Jesus and the Essenes. There are numerous encounters with the Pharisees and all of the debate is over tradition. What is the deep struggle? Jesus spells it out in Mark 7:1-23.

Mark 7:6–9 “6 He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 7 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” 9 He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.”

The Pharisees never focused on His miracles, they never focused on the changed lives, they never acknowledged the authority of Christ. All they could focus on was what Christ wasn’t doing. They focused on the externals.

Jesus’ struggle with the Pharisees by this point in time we study was the fact their fervor and vitality had become so rigidly adhered into formalism of practices and observances. There conformance to legal prescription as to how religion was to take place had totally replaced the heart of what God was all about and what the call of His people the Jews were all about. Their service to God had become so burdensome steeped in regulations and was so confining to human existence they had lost touch with what God’s assignment was for His people in the first place. Their practice of religion had moved from delight to dutiful service.

And that brings about my second flash word, FRUSTRATION.

Frustration-When Religion Becomes Critical and Defensive V. 18b, 23-24

You almost sense that these disciples of Jesus were free birds. Thy lived in the liberality and freedom that religion was not what it was all about. A life in Jesus is what makes us free. We have been forgiven of our sins. And we are going to enjoy every moment with Him while we have Him with us. Jesus loves everyone. He does not find His assignment dutiful, but He delights in loving on people, healing people, touching lives and we are here to see Him in action. Everyday is an adventure to watch Jesus work.

Mark 2:18b “Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?”

When we ask a question we reveal so much about ourselves. We reveal where our heart is stayed on a matter.

There were three main pillars of Judaism: prayer, almsgiving or we would call benevolence or charity, and fasting. This morning we are talking about Fasting.

In the OT there was only one day spelled out to fast in the Bible, Yom Kippur or what we know as the Day of Atonement. The only required fast of the Jews was one time a year. Lev. 16:29-30.

But, in the Oral Traditions, three forms of fasting were required. Lamenting National tragedies like the destruction of the temple by Nebuchadnezzar; fasting in times of crisis such as a war, a plague, drought, and self imposed for a number of personal reasons.

Notice in the same OT, how our Lord says to fast:

Zechariah 8:19 “19 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘The fast of the fourth month, The fast of the fifth, The fast of the seventh, And the fast of the tenth, Shall be joy and gladness and cheerful feasts For the house of Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.’”

The synergy of the fast is joy and gladness for the house of Judah.

Do you remember when Jesus addressed fasting in the NT and how you are to present yourself when you fast?

Matthew 6:16–18 “16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

Jesus is not condemning fasting. He assumes believers will fast (“when you fast,” not “if”). He is condemning performative fasting done for spiritual applause.

“Biblical fasting is not about looking miserable before men—it is about seeking God in secret with a heart that longs for Him.”

The first question we must ask when we see these words is why did those that fast in Jesus day have such a sad countenance in the first place? You would say that in these cases they were remorseful over national calamity, over war, over drought, or over their own personal sin. I will accept that but do you believe is that they found their service to God burdensome and dutiful and they felt the responsibility heavy?

By Jesus’ time, Pharisees fasted every Monday and Thursday even though no where in the Bible that is required, but that practice had become the standard by the traditions of elders, the oral traditions.

Furthermore, the Pharisees were frustrated about the actions of the disciples on the Sabbath. Read with me:

Mark 2:23–24 “23 Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees said to Him, “Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?””

Two observances of Judaism defined them and set them apart from the nations: Circumcision and the Sabbath. Shabbat extended from Friday sunset until Saturday sunset.

Exodus 20:8–11 “8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.”

This commandment included the fact that slaves nor animals could work and even vegetation could not be plucked, cut or uprooted on the Sabbath which would appear as farming.

By Jewish tradition, God gave the Sabbath for the Jews as His chosen people as an eternal sign and unique blessing to the Israelites.

Ezekiel 20:12 “12 Moreover I also gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them.”

Exodus 35:1–3 “1 Then Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said to them, “These are the words which the Lord has commanded you to do: 2 Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh day shall be a holy day for you, a Sabbath of rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it shall be put to death. 3 You shall kindle no fire throughout your dwellings on the Sabbath day.””

The Gospel according to Mark Lord of the Sabbath (2:23–28)

The Mishnah lists

The Gospel according to Mark Lord of the Sabbath (2:23–28)

The controversy in the present passage reflects the Pharisaic determination to uphold and honor the Sabbath.

Their focus became their frustration against Jesus. Why, Jesus violated their normal. Religion becomes frustrated when God doesn’t fit its expectations.

What are your triggers? What frustrates you? Someone that doesn’t attend church three times a week? Someone that will not take a place of service at the church? Someone that will not tithe? Someone that drinks or dances? Are tattoos or long hair your struggle?

Oh dearly beloved listen to me, when relationship with Christ is replaced by ritual, religion and your traditions, you will become uncomfortable. You will become critical.

When someone expresses their faith differently like:

Singing contemporary songs vs. the hymnals

Someone uses the Message or the TNIV vs. the KJ.

Someone doesn’t follow your traditions.

And the frustration shows itself by allowing religion to criticize style rather than allowing your relationship with Christ to celebrate your faith and thankful that others find ways to celebrate their faith.

When broken people are allowed in the church:

Former addicts, former prisoners, people with messy pasts.

If you are steeped in religion you ask: do they belong here?

Oh listen Jesus says: they are exactly why I came.

When grace is emphasized over rules:

You are steeped in religion if you say “they need to straighten up first.” Jesus says, “come to me first.”

When people prioritize Jesus over ritual or religion

Is this you today? Is this what you want? Are you crying out this morning, “I want Jesus. I do not want to be victim to serving religion, but a relationship in the person of Jesus Christ.”

When you do that your religious systems of past depend on control. Relationship with Christ depends on your surrender to Him and His guidance through these nuances you face in daily life and how you response to people and the different ways you will be faced with.

3. Festivity-When Relationship Brings Joy V. 19-20

Mark 2:19–20 “19 And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. 20 But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.”

Oh this is so beautiful, our Lord and Savior calls Himself the Bridegroom. And His disciples were the wedding guests.

What Jesus said to those Pharisees of that day speaks to us as well in our day.

A Jewish wedding was an all out wedding feast. If the bride was a virgin the wedding would last seven days and if a widow was remarrying the wedding would go for three days. Friends and guests had only one responsibility at the festivities. Enjoy with jubilation with all celebration of the wedding. There was wine, food, laughter, dance and everyone celebrated to their heart’s content. The celebration even extended from the house out into the street. Even rabbis were to take a break from Torah instruction to enjoy the celebration with their students.

Both guests of the bride and the bridegroom that were gathered at the wedding were impatient to eat and begin the grand celebration of the two getting married. Any thought of fasting was totally out of the question.

Jesus describes His life as a wedding feast while He is present. This is not a time for my disciples to mourn, but a time to celebrate.

When we attend a wedding our presence produces joy.

The disciples were not fasting...because they were walking with Jesus. Joy welled up in them because he was present in their lives.

Oh listen, religion fasts out of duty, a relationship with Jesus feasts out of delight.

Oh to be a follower of Jesus is not a life focused on restriction, it is a life basking in His presence. Listen to what the psalmist states:

Psalm 16:11 “11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

There was coming a day when Jesus would be taken away to the cross.

Mark 2:20 “20 But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.”

John 19:30 “30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”

Oh dearly beloved that was a sad day when our Jesus went to the cross to die for the sins of the world, for you and me. But when He died, religion as we know it and how ever you know it, I pray your religiosity died with Him on that day as well. He said, “it is finished.”

We no longer have to be good enough, serve long enough, work hard enough for our salvation. On that day when Christ gave Himself up for us and sacrificed for us and paid the ransom for us, religions acts, life acts are no longer the key to making it through this world.

If you know Christ you can live life in celebration and feast on the manna of God in daily living. Oh I don’t mean that you live so heavenly minded that you are of no earthly good. I do not mean you will not experience tribulation, you will experience fatigue, that you will not get tired from serving Him. What I do mean is that our outlook on life and the daily chores if you will as a Christian will not seem as burdensome, as dutiful, but we serve Him out of love, we serve our fellow man out of love, we serve our families, our communities, our church out of the love He has for each one of us. Our life’s mission is labeled by delight.

I hope you never say, “I have to spend time with my wife.” We spend time with our spouse because we love them and we want to be with them.

4. Faith-When You Understand Jesus is Lord VV. 27-28

Mark 2:27–28 “27 And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28 Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.””

This is the climax. “I am Lord.” Jesus is not subject to their systems. Oh listen dearly beloved, our systems must be subject to Him. What was the Sabbath all about. It was offered as a rest and a time to commune with the Lord. It was never intended to enslave the people. Oh listen Religion enslaves, Jesus liberates.

Faith is not trusting rules, its trusting in the person of Jesus Christ. Why was there celebration in the lives of the disciples? They had Jesus.

IN closing I want you to be honest no so much with me but with yourself. Has your Christianity become more of a fast rather than a feast? Do you serve and live daily out of duty or delight for this another day the Lord has given you to serve Him? Has your worship become mundane rather than moving in the Spirit of the Lord?

Are you simply worshiping out of habit or routine or is it motivated by intimacy with your relationship with Jesus?

Let’s understand the conclusion to our time together:

The closer you walk with Jesus the more joyful your faith becomes. Are you here today because you are following rules or is it because of a regenerate faith and love for Jesus?

Jesus loves you and He wants you to love Him.

Let’s pray.