MARK 2:19 | Why, when answering a question about fasting, does Jesus describe Himself as the Bridegroom from Isaiah 62? Jesus is announcing a NEW time has arrived, "See, your Savior comes!" Read both Isaiah 61 and 62 and also 65:17-25.
MARK 2:24 | In Deuteronomy 5:12-15, God commanded Israel to have a day of rest. In the centuries following, leaders like the Pharisees sought to clarify and specify exactly what work was. And now they are telling God, to his face, that He and His followers are unlawful. The Pharisees had taken a teaching about rest and made it into a burden!
MARK 2:25 | Jesus directs them to 1 Samuel 21:2-7 where not-yet-king David was on a mission at King Saul's direction and needed to feed his men. This shows, even within the context of the OLD COVENANT, God's law was always about people, not things! How much more is this true in the NEW COVENANT? See Jeremiah 31:31-34.
MARK 2:27 | Jesus demonstrates that He is not interested in regulations but relationships! He changes the focus from Sabbath laws to the Sabbath Day and why it was made, why it was given, and more importantly, WHY HE IS HERE! He is bringing not only a Sabbath, but the ultimate YEAR OF JUBILEE! See Leviticus 25:8-12, Isaiah 61:1-2, and Luke 4:14-30!
MATTHEW 11:28 | Never forget Jesus' invitation for the weary and burdened to come to Him! HE IS THE LORD OF REST. The Good News of the Reign and Rule of God in this present moment is that JESUS TAKES THE BURDEN. JESUS DOES THE WORK. He is the Bridegroom, the Savior Who has come for us! He came to buy us back, to set us free...to give us REST. See Philippians 4:4-7.
The Lord of Rest