March 16 - Mark 3

Jesus heals on the sabbath, appoints the twelve, corrects the religious leaders and establishes a new family...
lots of stuff going on..

The healing on the sabbath is a continuation of the previous chapter - in demonstrating that the point of all of this isn't rules but to follow God and become like Him.. What would Jesus have done? What did He do? He didn't say-- sorry, it's the sabbath I'm not allowed to do this.. Nope, it is in God's character to heal and to redeem so the sabbath is not something that would restrict God's love. Remember in Mark 2:27 (last verse) - Jesus mentions that the Sabbath was made for man, meaning it is supposed to serve a purpose, it's a means towards something else.. not man made for the Sabbath. People were not created to serve the purpose of the Sabbath..

Jesus appoints the twelve and 12 is an important number. He also lists the names in pairs.. denoting the importance of teamwork and partnership in ministry. They were usually sent out in two's. Twelve is also a link to the 12 tribes of Israel... All that God has done in history through Israel is not forgotten.. it is all connected..

Religious leaders thought Jesus was crazy.. And He probably did seem that way. he was doing radical things, trying to show them how radical God is... Do people think you're crazy? (In a good way, I mean.) If you're blending in too much, something might be missing.

And, Jesus establishes the guidelines for the new family... We are in the family of God together because we believe in Him and do His will..

Amen!