Becoming A Stronger Disciple

WHAT A DISCIPLE HONORS

A disciple honors the things that are important to Jesus.

(Mark 2:23-3:6) One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grain fields, and as His disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. The Pharisees said to Him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” Then He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” Another time He went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched Him closely to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.” Then+ Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

1. Honor – Scripture Over Tradition

A. One of their traditions held that this activity could not be done on the Sabbath.

B. They were elevating their traditions to the level of Scripture.

(Matthew 15:6-7a) “You nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites!”

C. Scripture always has authority over tradition.

2. Honor – Savior Over Religion

(2:27) Then He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”

A. We humans like religion.

B. If we become dependent on religion for spiritual food, we will starve.

C. A “religion” about Jesus is not as important as a “relationship” with Jesus.

(2:28) “So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

3. Honor – Service Over Devotion

A. Jesus is not diminishing the significance of the Sabbath.

(Matthew 5:17) “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”

B. Their devotion was a good thing.

(Hebrews 10:25) “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

C. Some things are more important than others.

(3:4-5) Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.

D. Service is more important than devotion.