Lessons on Christianity

 

    People swarmed Jesus everywhere he went.  The crowds followed him and gathered in masses.  That would be a lot to deal with, but Jesus loved each person.  He did not mind it.  It also gave him the opportunity to teach on a larger scale.  That way the message could spread faster.  

    One day when Jesus was at Peter's house and the people followed.  It was so crowded that no one could really move.  There was a cripple man that wanted to see Jesus and hear him in hopes of being healed.  His four friends cut a hole in the roof, then they lowered him to Jesus.  Those were good friends.  Jesus saw the faith of all five men, so he healed the paralytic.  

    Jesus performing miracles like this angered some people.  They did not approve of him declaring that he had authority to forgive sins.  They also did not like Jesus' perspective of the Sabbath.  God commanded for us to rest and worship on the Sabbath.  The church had turned that into rituals and rules that made life harder on people, not reviving like God had intended.  Jesus called this out as being sinful and unlawful.  Of course they took it personally and hated him.  

    Jesus meets Levi the tax collector.  Levi is actually Matthew.  In the Jewish culture, tax collectors were known thieves.  It was like a career where it was expected and accepted, but not respected.  They were basically shunned in society.  Jesus collected him as an apostle.  Again defying the rules of culture and seeing the heart of a man.  Jesus went to his house and ate.  This was just not acceptable to the church.  Jesus pointed out he came to heal the sick: to sinners, not the righteous.

    Jesus taught a lesson on fasting.  Jesus' apostles did not fast because they were with him.  The time of fasting would come after he was gone.  This was the time to enjoy life and this gift.  Fasting was for the Day of Atonement, not ritual or to be displayed as righteousness.  It is better to eat and stay strong than to fast and look more holy.  When you fast, it is a private thing between you and God.  

    Jesus always had the authority to change things: rules, attitudes, hearts, situations, or anything else that he deems is good.  It is not our place to decide how Christianity is supposed to look like.  If we follow Christ, then it should be obvious by how we authentically reveal our heart to the world.  The appearance, income, or the culture we grew up in does not define our Christianity.  

    We are supposed to be open to his direction and die to our selfishness daily.  We can't do that if we are always worried about what the world and church things about our personal walk with God. (Side note: there are certain standards that we do have to follow: pure love and commandments.  If we do not, then we are subject to church discipline.)

Mark 2