As you read this chapter you will notice each event centers on a controversy between Jesus and the spiritual leaders. There are controversies about Jesus forgiving sins, choosing sinners, fasting, and the Sabbath. These were some of the key quarrels that the religious leaders focused on when attacking Jesus.
This was partially motivated by the jealousy of the religious leaders who saw that Jesus was more popular with the crowds than they were.
Take special note throughout the chapter of the disagreements, the motivation of these disagreements, and how Jesus resolves them.
Text Mark 2 –https://www.bible.com/bible/114/MRK.2.1-28
V1-12
- Why did they go to such great effort for Jesus to see this paralytic?
- What do we learn about friendship from what these men did for the paralytic?
- Do you have friends like this in your life?
- Are you this kind of friend towards others?
- What is the relationship between the paralytic man’s friends faith and their works?
- Why do you think Jesus only said to one man that his sins were forgiven instead of to all five?
- How and why did the scribes react for Jesus statement on forgiveness?
V13-17
- How were tax collectors viewed by other Jews? Why?
- Why did Jesus choose someone he knew would be looked down on by most Jews?
- What did the Pharisees think of Jesus’ habit of associating with these types of people?
- What do you think was their motivation for voicing this?
- What was Jesus’ explanation for this What can you learn from this?
- Is there anything you need to do either in ministry or just as a person to be more like Jesus in this area?
V18-22
John’s disciples may have been influenced by the Pharisees and their way of thinking about fasting. The Pharisees placed a high priority on religious rituals such as fasting. It was a way for them to show others how spiritual they were. The Pharisees and religious leaders were angry that Jesus did things differently than they did.
- What do verses teach us about fasting? Is it a Public or private affair?
- What is the meaning of the parable of the new and old cloth?
- What is the meaning of the parable of the wine and wineskins?
- What is the application of these parables for you today?
V23-28
The Pharisees scrutinize Jesus and His disciples. His disciples were under this same microscope because of their close association with Christ. Any Christian who identifies as a follower of Christ in public may also face this same scrutiny.
- What accusation did the Pharisees level at Jesus’ disciples?
- Were they accurate in saying that the disciples were breaking the Sabbath?
- What was Jesus’ reply? Does He defend the disciples or agree with them?
- Was David right in taking the food from the house of God for his hungry men?
- Why does Jesus mention this example here? What is His point?
- What can we conclude about the purpose of the Sabbath from this passage?