The four synoptic gospels provide different angles and we are often tempted to collapse and flatten it into one. There is nothing wrong but when we do so, and only read it for the cross, we lose what is individual and particular. There are different particularities and views that we are to see. What did the original writer want his readers to know particularly through his gospel? We want to read Mark as Mark, trying to understand what Mark is seeking to teach us about Jesus. In this section, we see Jesus who calls the sick.
(A) Jesus calls the spiritually needy (Mark 2: 13-17)
Jesus went out again beside the sea and the crowd came to Him. Jesus taught the people (Mark 2:13). Jesus had passed alongside the Sea of Galilee earlier in Mark 1:16, where He then called Simon and Andrew. And now in Mark 2:14, He was also about to repeat what He had done earlier. Jesus had been here before and this time, He will also call a disciple. What kind of a disciple will He call? Mark sets this up for the reader to anticipate what comes next.
By now, Jesus drew a crowd, but why were they coming to Him? Were they there for His teaching ministry or for something else? The people already saw that He has a new teaching with authority and His fame spread (Mark 1:27-28). Jesus continued to heal (Mark 1:29-34), cleanse a leper (Mark 1:40-45) and healed a leper (Mark 2:1-12). It was likely therefore, that the crowd came for the signs and wonders.
Do you find the teachings of Jesus boring sometimes? Do you find His signs and wonders much more exciting? There is a danger if this is where we are. He did not call us through signs and wonders. The disciple of Jesus is not following Him because of HIs signs and wonders. The disciple follows because He called and responds to His teaching. Does your Christian life feel lukewarm or flat? Are you looking for the next experience with Jesus? We go to Jesus because Jesus called us first.
Next, Jesus turned His attention to Levi. Jesus called Levi, who was sitting at the tax booth and called him to follow Him (Mark 1:14). We do not know much about him except that he is a tax collector. He collected tax from the Jews to be paid to the Romans, and the people were not happy. Jesus calls while he is working and right in his shame. And Jesus gives a clear, authoritative imperative. It is a Christ-centred command delivered with authority and glory. And Levi obeyed — he rose (active) and followed Jesus. In doing so, he leaves his former life to begin a new life with Jesus.
Mark also uses this calling to introduce a category of people in Mark 2:15-17. Jesus is at Levi’s house, gathering with other tax collectors (Mark 1:15). Jesus eats with them and is a guest in the house of a tax collector. Notice also how Mark tells us “there were many who followed him” (Mark 2:15b). Many also saw that if Jesus can call someone like Levi, they can also follow Him.
What kind of Jesus do you know, love, worship and follow? Is He this kind of Jesus who calls tax collectors and sinners — those the world does not think highly off?
The scribes and Pharisees were offended (Mark 2:16). Jesus replies with 2 parallel statements (Mark 2:17). He is saying that He is interested only in the sick sinners and is not interested in those who are well and righteous. We go to Him because we are sick and sinners. We cannot go to Jesus and still cling to self-righteousness.
This is the core of what it means to follow Jesus. We can only follow Jesus when we are done with ourselves, done with our own righteousness. This is not performative, but the cry of a truly sick person who needs a doctor. As the hymn goes,
Pass me not, O gentle Saviour
Hear my humble cry
While on others Thou art calling
Do not pass me by
Saviour, Saviour
Hear my humble cry
While on others Thou art calling
Do not pass me by
(B) Jesus rebukes the spiritually blind (Mark 2:18-20)
The question of fasting is introduced in Mark 2:18. In Leviticus 16:29, 31, fasting is also referred to as “afflicted”. This is imposed voluntarily on one who denies his/her self food. One fasts to draw spiritual concentration on God, an expression of yearning and longing for God. It is a way to prepare one to look for God, looking to Him instead of to food. It is also a good thing for us to fast.
In Mark 2:18, we are told that John’s disciples and the Pharisees fasted, but Jesus’ disciples do not. This question was brought to Jesus. What is at stake here is taught lifestyles. Mark also takes care to set up the comparison for us. This follows on the heel of the earlier question, which questioned Jesus’ act of eating and drinking with the disciples. Therefore, they wondered if Jesus did not fear God!
Jesus refers to Himself as the Bridegroom who is with them (Mark 2:19). It makes no sense for the guests to fast while the Bridegroom is there. Here, His followers are His guests. Isn’t it wonderful that the Master is not the one who demands that we serve Him? Instead, He invites us in to sit at His table to enjoy the feast He has prepared. He is showing us His generosity, hospitality and care for those who have left everything and followed Him. If you know that you are needy and sick, know that you are also a guest at His table.
Fasting is not allowed in Jesus’ presence (Mark 2:19b). When He is there, it is a day of celebration! They will fast when the Bridegroom is taken away (passive) from them (Mark 2:20). He is referring to the cross, when He is no longer in their presence. Then, they can seek God and His face.
He also rebukes those who cannot make the connection (c.f. Mark 2:19). This is a rebuke on those who are more interested in spiritual ritual and performance, rather than the presence of the Bridegroom in front of them. Beware and be careful about manmade rituals. Something as meaningful as fasting caused the people to miss the One who is standing in front of them. Is your religion getting in the way of your relationship with Jesus? Is your service, ministry, title, role, function, calling causing you to miss the presence of Christ and you miss out on Him as you try to seek Him? He rebukes the spiritually blind.
(C) Jesus teaches about the newness of the time (Mark 2:21-22)
Jesus uses two metaphors to describe the present moment. Firstly, He uses the picture of a new cloth (Mark 2:21). No one sews a new cloth on an old garment. Like goes with like, unlike does not go with like. It may cause a bigger tear instead. Similarly, new wine is not put into old wineskins (Mark 2:22).
This is the era of something new!
As Hebrew 8:6-13 states, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old for the covenant He mediates is better, enacted on better promises. His ministry is better than the old ministry. The old covenant with its old arrangement does not find its way into the new covenant.
Galatians 3:10-11 reminds us that all the Jewish practices are in the old covenant. There is no need for Christians to adopt these practices to be saved and be a Christian. Paul is telling them they are not to turn back to the old ways, for Jesus has brought a new way.
What does this mean for us today? Friends, our righteousness does not change day by day depending on how we performed. Our righteousness is always ours in Christ, because of His righteousness, which does not change. We are new wineskins and new clothes if we understand that Jesus came, declaring that the time is fulfilled and we are to repent and believe the gospel. He came not to call the righteous, but sinners. It is not the well and heathy who need a physician, but the sick.