March 18-22

Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, “Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” – Mark 2:18 ESV

Jesus is Better than Religion
The Week magazine features a “What’s Next?” column based on current events. In one issue they asked readers to submit answers to a question based on this comment from chef and TV personality Anthony Bourdain: “Your body is not a temple, it’s an amusement park. Enjoy the ride.” The question was: “What would be a good name for a theme park ride based on the typical American’s body?”

Here were some of the best answers: Cholester-Roll, Plumper Cars, Tunnel of Love Handles, The Tragic Kingdom, and SORRY—ride closed due to poor maintenance. Though funny, these answers focus on the fact that many people in the US—as well as around the world—are poor stewards of their bodies. (Our Daily Journey)

Your body is a temple. Fasting is a way to honor God with your bodies. However, the Pharisees had turned fasting into a self-righteous religious act devoid of a relationship with God. Jesus used three illustrations to explain why a relationship with Him was better than religion. First Illustration -- Feasting and Fasting (Mk 2:18-20). Second Illustration -- New patch on Old garment  (Mk 2:21). Third Illustration -- New/old Wine in new/old wineskins (Mk 2:22).

Reflection
What are things you’ve seen churches use to decide who is righteous and who is not? What are some ways you have tried to prove your righteousness through religion?

Praise/Prayer
Thank God that you don’t have to use religion to be in a good relationship with Him. Ask God to show you any areas of self-righteousness you may be embracing.

And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.”  – Mark 2:19-20 ESV

Jesus is Better than Religion: Religion Brings Condemnation
Erma Bombeck tells of a time she was sitting in church and a small child turned around and began to smile at the people behind her. She was just smiling, not making a sound. When her mother noticed, she said in a stage whisper, “Stop that grinning – you’re in church,” gave her a swat, and said, “That’s Better!”

The Pharisees didn’t like Jesus’ disciples enjoying themselves and the presence of Jesus. The Pharisees fasted twice a week and added this as a requirement for their disciples to achieve true spirituality according to the Law of Moses.  The Law itself prescribed some fasts throughout the year, but this wasn’t good enough for the Pharisees. They could consider no one spiritual who did not fast as they did. They used this as a measure of condemnation.

Reflection
What are your thoughts when you are around religious people who seem to complain a lot about others? What are some religious activities that the church has historically judged people for not participating in?

Praise/Prayer
Thank God that you are no longer condemned once you repent and place your faith in Christ. Ask God to show you areas where you may be clinging to religion over a relationship with Him.

And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.”  –  Mark 2:19-20 ESV

Jesus is Better than Religion: Jesus Brings Celebration
Author Leo Buscaglia tells this story about his mother and their “misery dinner.” It was the night after his father came home and said it looked as if he would have to go into bankruptcy because his partner had run away with their firm’s funds. His mother went out and sold some jewelry to buy food for a sumptuous feast. Other members of the family scolded her for it. But she told them that “the time for joy is now when we need it most, not next week.” Her courageous act rallied the family. (Christopher News Notes)

Mark 2:15 was a time for joy! David Guzik emphasizes, "A wedding feast was the most vivid picture of joy and happiness in that culture. During the weeklong wedding feast, it was understood that joy was more important than conformity to religious rituals. If any ceremonial observance would detract from the joy of a wedding feast, it was not required.”

Jesus said that His followers should have this kind of happiness. The Pharisees thought Jesus and His followers were too happy. As the Bridegroom, He came to give spiritual joy. The Christian life is a feast, not a funeral.

Reflection
When was the last time you were accused of being too cheerful or too happy for God? What is something you can do this week to celebrate Jesus?

Praise/Prayer
Thank God that you have a feast to look forward to in heaven with Him! Ask God to let your joy in Christ be evident to those around you.

No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made.  And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins—and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.” – Mark 2:21-22 ESV

Jesus is Better than Religion: The Old is Replaced by the New 
Lindsay Clegg told the story of a warehouse property he was selling. The building had been empty for months and needed repairs. As he showed a prospective buyer the property, Clegg took pains to say that he would replace the broken windows, and bring in a crew to correct any structural damage. “Forget about the repairs,” the buyer said.  I don’t want the building; I just want the site as I plan to build something entirely new. (Source Unknown).

Jesus’ response to the Pharisees’ question about legalistic fasting was that the new way (His way) and the old way (the way of John and the Pharisees) simply do not mix. He wasn’t coming to add to their ways but to replace them. The new cloth reminds us that He did not come to “patch us up” and then let us fall apart.

The image of the new wineskins teaches that He did not come to renovate Moses or even mix Law and grace. He came to give us new life!

Reflection
When we become God’s, the old life is over (2 Cor. 5:17). He makes all things new. All He wants is the site to build on. In what ways has Jesus made you new?

Praise/Prayer
Thank God for the old things that have gone away in your life and praise Him for the new life He has given you. Pray for your family members and friends who don’t need improvement but need a new life in Christ to be saved.

And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” – Mark 2:27-28 ESV

Jesus is Better than Religion: The Law is Replaced by Grace
 Almost every state has surprising laws on its books.
 • In Florida, a woman may be fined for falling asleep under a hair dryer.
 • In Indiana, citizens are not allowed to attend a movie within four hours after eating garlic.
 • In Wisconsin, it’s against the law to serve apple pie in restaurants unless there is cheese on top of it.
 • In Normal, Illinois, it’s against the law to make a face at a dog.
 • In Nicholas County, West Virginia because no member of the clergy is allowed to tell jokes or humorous stories from the pulpit.

The Pharisees added ridiculous rules to God’s Word and missed the heart of God and the heart of the Gospel. Jesus was greater than the Sabbath laws. Jesus came to bring a brand new relationship with God and fulfill all the requirements of the law by His death on the cross. The lesson that Jesus makes from this story is that the Law of Moses was made to bring us closer to God by showing us our need for Him and His love for us.

Reflection
How can the Old Testament law be used for your good today? In what ways did God show His grace through the Old Testament law?

Praise/Prayer
Praise Jesus as Lord of the Sabbath and the God of grace. Ask God to help you build Sabbath rest into your life.