Scripture Reading : Mark 3:1-20
Theme : Friend vs. Foe I
- Antagonism of the Pharisees. The Pharisees were looking for opportunity to accuse Jesus. They did not doubt His ability to heal, yet they chose to oppose Jesus instead of marvel at God’s power. Jesus tested the Pharisees by asking them whether it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. Legalistic pharisaic tradition allowed for the saving a life on the Sabbath, but if it were not life-threatening, then doing good would be breaking the Law, and ought to be postponed to the next day. Jesus was showing the Pharisees the inconsistency in such legalistic teachings. To demonstrate once more that He is the Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28), Jesus healed the man with a withered hand. Instead of praising God for His mercy and power, the Pharisees plotted to kill Jesus. This was the culmination of the objections they brought against Jesus in Mark 2, and the antagonism grew from this moment.
- Appointment of the Apostles. In contrast to the Pharisees, the Apostles (except Judas) were true followers of Jesus. Mark 3:13 clearly shows that it is God’s sovereignty over who He chooses. After appointing the Twelve Apostles, Jesus also gave them authority to cast out demons. To those who are obedient to God, more will be given to them for the purpose of serving Him.
Praying the Scripture
- Just as Jesus was angered by the Pharisees’ hardness of heart (Mark 3:5), God is angry with sinners, “who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth” (Romans 1:18). We should not think of ourselves as better than the Pharisees, but learn from their negative example. Are we holding on to any legalistic beliefs? Let us pray that we will submit to Jesus and His teachings, with love and compassion for others, rather than laying a burden on others that we ourselves cannot bear.
- God equips those whom He chooses to serve Him. If we obey God and serve Him faithfully, He will give us even more to serve Him more effectively (Matthew 25:29). But this is not a promise of financial gain, a false-teaching made popular by the health-and-wealth-gospel. Let us pray that we are willing to serve God.
经文：马可福音3:1-20
主题：友与敌（一）
- 法利赛人的敌意。法利赛人正寻找控告耶稣的机会。他们并不怀疑耶稣医治的能力，但选择抵挡耶稣，不为神的大能深感惊异。耶稣问法利赛人是否能在安息日行善，藉此试探他们。法利赛人的律法准则容许在安息日救命，但若不是致命性的，行善也算违法，必须延后一日。耶稣是在向法利赛人显示这等教导的前后矛盾。为要再一次展现祂就是安息日的主（2:28），耶稣医治了一个枯干了手的人。法利赛人不但不赞美神的怜悯和大能，反倒计谋要杀害耶稣。这就是法利赛人在马可福音2章对抗议耶稣的高潮，而敌意从此剧增。
- 委任使徒。与法利赛人相反的是，众使徒（除外犹大）是真实跟从耶稣的。13节清楚告诉我们神是凭祂的主权作选择的。委任十二使徒后，耶稣也给予他们赶鬼的权柄。凡遵从神的，神会给予更多，叫人能服侍祂。
用经文祷告
- 如耶稣因法利赛人的心刚硬而愤怒（5节），神也向罪人发怒，因为他们是“行不义阻挡真理的人”（罗1:18）。我们不能觉得自己比法利赛人好，而是要从他们负面的例子中学习。我们是否持守着律法主义性的意念？让我们祷告我们会降服于耶稣和祂的教导，对人有爱心和怜悯，而不是把自己无法承受的重轭担在别人身上。
- 神装备祂拣选去事奉祂的人。我们若遵从神，并忠心服侍祂，祂必加给我们，使我们在事奉上更有效（太25:29）。但这并不是钱财得利的应许——那是致富福音推广的假教导。让我们祷告我们会甘心服侍神。
