How Dare He!
Backstory:
Jesus’ miracles had drawn great crowds. The people were grateful for his healing touch. Jesus’ miracles had shown his divine power and authority. In Capernaum, Jesus stepped it up a notch and did some things that greatly upset the religious leaders (the teachers of the law, who were the Jewish scholars of the day; the Pharisees, who strictly, but often hypocritically, kept the Law of Moses and the unwritten traditions of the elders; and the Herodians, who supported the Roman government and joined in opposing Jesus for fear that he might have an unsettling political influence on people). From then on, the religious leaders watched Jesus closely, for he dared to challenge long-held traditions.

God’s Story:
I have given my Son the authority to perform miracles to give people a glimpse of what it means to live in my kingdom. He also has the authority to forgive people’s sins, the ultimate treasure of my kingdom. The legalists of the synagogue will not easily accept the part about forgiveness. How sad. They do not understand my Son’s ultimate purpose in coming to earth.

Read Mark 2:1 – 3:6

Your Story:
Jesus continued healing the sick, but his actions took on added dimensions: forgiving sins, eating with sinners and tax collectors, not fasting, violating traditions regarding the Sabbath. God had given him the authority to do all these things, yet the religious leaders were throwing a fit. Because they didn’t believe Jesus was the Messiah, they didn’t believe his power was from God. If you had witnessed Jesus’ ministry firsthand, do you think you would have taken it all in stride, or would you have questioned him for so boldly challenging tradition? God’s way still challenges the norm. If you believe in him, then being a part of his kingdom means standing apart from the rest of the world.