The Gospel According to Mark (Part 11)

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The Gospel According to Mark

(Part 11)

Good morning and welcome to Jesus Church

I hope you had a wonderful time celebrating Jesus’ resurrection last week

• I know we a great weekend serving the community as our guests
  • Last Sunday we saw healing and salvation
  • And learned about how relevant the resurrection is b/c of hope
  • And we all need hope in this world we live in – Amen
• This week we jump back into our series going through story of Jesus
  • We are looking through the writings of Mark (Peter)
  • We left off talking about this paralyzed man – hole in roof
• Mark highlights 3 sets of people in the story
  • 1: The Friends… extraordinary faith that catches Jesus attention
  • 2: The Pharisees… Miss God & Miracles because of their jealousy
  • 3: The Paralyzed Man… Who Jesus knew need to be reminded
    • Your sins are forgiven – Before he would be healed
• So powerful because we often let our short comings paralyze us too
  • Jesus frees this man of that burden
  • And then tells him to get up and walk
  • And immediately he is healed

TAG: Today we pick up the story back in Mark 2

Mk 2:13-17

Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Plphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him and Levi got up and followed him. While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus aid to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

[PRAY]

How many here like to eat

I love to eat… to the point if I know we are going out to a good steak place

• I will skip breakfast and lunch – Just so dinner tastes better
  • Remember moving to Phoenix… never seen so many restaurants
    • I came from Portland (food capitol of the world)
    • But there is like the exclusive destination spots
    • Here its just a smorgasbord of any/every place you can find
• And one reason food is so great (taste) but it facilitates relationship
  • Maybe you remember the first time you take someone on a date
  • Lunch or dinner is a perfect way to get to know someone

1st time I took Michelle to dinner (she was leaving for the summer)

• I had just packed up my car with my entire dorm room
  • Finished eating a double double from In N Out
  • And she calls asking if I want to go get dinner
  • And I said absolutely I’ll be right there
• So we go to Islands and I think I ate 3 bites of my burger
  • One I wasn’t hungry but two I had never been so nervous
  • But the conversation was great – Obviously it worked

1^st time I went to dinner with Michelle’s parents (in town for pastor thing)

• I had been super sick… no joke my jaw muscles wouldn’t open
  • So pathetic all I could do is eat wanton soup
  • At one point I tried to be normal (eat noodles) bit my tongue
  • Knee jerk reaction was open my mouth… which was so painful
    • I’m sure they were a little concerned with who this kid was
• But I think we all know that – even culturally – food is central to life
  • Culture and relationship is built around the table
  • And I would say it is at the center of discipleship to Jesus
• This story Mark tells is complexed with layers and social dynamics
  • But really at its root – It’s a story about Jesus & food
  • And if you weren’t hungry yet – You will be in a few minutes

Mk 2:13

Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them.

Jesus by this time had been kicked out of the Synagogue

• Crazy: God was kicked out of the place people gather in his name
  • But it was gonna happen anyways because crowds were growing
  • Jesus has a reputation now and people travel to hear him

Mk 2:14

As he walked along, he saw Levi (Matthew) son of Philaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him and Levi got up and followed him.

Mark gives us some specific details here that stick out

• Levi is a tax collector for Rome in Capernaum (Jesus’ home base)
  • So his job was to enforce Rome’s tax laws
  • And he made money by taxing more than the law required
  • And he was allowed to do that within reason (clear as mud)
• So you can see how that could quickly get abused
  • And no one likes taxes anyways – who has a friend in the IRS
  • This would be like a Jewish informant working for SS in WW2
  • So this guy isn’t gonna be well received by anyone
    • He’s working for the enemy of Jews… but also enemy of God

And then one day this up & coming teacher of Gods word passes by

• No bitterness… no distain.. no hatred
  • And with a smile says “Hey Levi… come be my disciple”
  • Can you imagine being Peter – ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND!!!

Mk 2:15 (And then on top of that this happens)

While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.

 

To Jesus meals are much more than just about food

Meals were a sign/symbol of God’s Kingdom coming to Earth

• All throughout the Bible the metaphor of God’s kingdom is a feast

Is 25:6

On this mountain (kingdom) the LORD almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine – the best of meats and the finest of wines…

• Jesus vision of the Kingdom was a feast where everyone was invited

Matt 8:11

I say to you many will come from the east and the west and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac & Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.

Matt 22:1

The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.

Luke 14:15

Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.

• When Jesus sits to eat… he is enacting His vision for the Kingdom
  • One author calls eating w/ friends & family “Divine Hospitality”
  • And for Jesus anyone and everyone is invited
• So when Jesus hands out invitations to a party at Levi’s house
  • Reality is handing out invitations to experience Kingdom of God

Problem is who he gave the invitations out to: Sinners/Tax Collectors

• Tax collectors we covered…
  • Sinners were not how we picture sinners today
  • It was a catch all label for anyone who didn’t keep the law
  • Prostitutes… tax collectors… criminals… drug addicts
    • But also unhealthy… sick… handicap…
    • Anyone so poor they couldn’t pay for an animal sacrifice
• So all these people are in that category – This is who Jesus eats with
  • And it says MANY people like this followed him

Mk 2:16 (Watch what happens)

When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Now everything is outdoors in Jesus day… house were small and hot

• Jesus is there at Levi’s party in his courtyard (probably nice house)
  • And the Pharisees are there – watching this whole thing happen
  • Probably walking by and see Jesus with these people…
• And we give the Pharisees a bad name… they’re the bad guys
  • But remember they were the Bible following people of the day
  • We think that the group was started by Ezra (OT prophet of God)
• Their passion was holiness which is amazing – We need that today
  • And heart behind this was to get every Jew to follow the law
  • They believed if they could get every Jew to obey all the laws
    • Just for 1 day… Messiah would come and bring the kingdom

They became so obsessed that it wasn’t just the law they followed

• It was this whole other set of laws as a layer of protection
  • So if the law was a line… made another set of rules… and another
  • Which made following the all of this virtually impossible
• And this left the “sinners” out on their own… rejected and shamed
  • While those who at least pretended to keep the law
  • Were accepted and on the in with God
• So with all this in mind: Because of the world view/belief of the table
  • Who you ate with – Who you didn’t eat with
  • Symbolic of who was in and who was out
  • Who was holy and who was unholy
• What the Pharisees had created was a system
  • Meals were a sorta weapon to shame those they didn’t approve
  • Saying you aren’t welcome hear… by us or by God

But Jesus had a completely different take on food

To Jesus – Eating together was Gods great sign of welcome

• Instead of using food to exclude people from presence of God
  • Jesus used food to draw people into the presence of God
  • Which is why Jesus says…

Mk 2:17

It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.

• And this was a well known saying of the day – Not a biblical proverb
  • Just something culturally that people would say
  • Like “Early bird gets the worm”… we all know what that means
  • Jesus is using the same type of saying of the day
• Jesus is saying – This is obvious to everyone
  • The Greeks know this… the Romans know this
  • A doctor needs to be with sick people
  • In same way God needs to be with sinners – Point of Gospel

But the Pharisees just couldn’t understand that… this gets sorta comical

• Because there’s a reason the Phariseess seem a little on edge

Mk 2:18

Now John’s disciples & Pharisees were fasting… must of said something

• Because the Pharisees are fasting… Jesus and disciples are feasting
  • That makes the Pharisees FIESTY – We call it HANGRY
  • Pharisees would fast twice a week (Monday & Thursday)
  • Bible said you only had to fast once a year on Yom Kapor
    • They changed it to 104 times a year
• And they want Jesus to do the same – And Jesus is like HECK NO!
  • In fact Jesus loved food so much he was called a Glutton
  • I don’t think Jesus was a Glutton…
  • But to get that reputation… you have to like to eat at least a little
    • Jesus loved eat over a long meal with family & friends

Scholar 1

In the Gospels Jesus is either going to a meal… coming from a meal or having a meal at all times

Scholar 2

If you can read the Gospel w/o getting hungry, you’re not paying attention

And there is such a stark contrast here between Jesus & the religious here

• And Jesus in his ministry has a statement he makes about himself
  • Starts with “The Son of Man” with 3 different endings…
  • Mark: did not come to be served but serve and give life as ransom
  • Luke: came to seek and save the lost
  • Last: came eating/drinking and you say he’s a glutton & drunkard
• Great book on mission & focus of Jesus talks on these 3 statements
  • First 2 are the mission and purpose – give life… save the lost
  • The last one is a statement of method… it’s the how
    • Jesus came to give his life and save the lost
    • How does he do that… lets going eat a sandwich (pita)
• Jesus entire strategy for saving the world – How we engage with that
  • Invite someone over for dinner… take them out for coffee
  • Engage and enjoy life over eating and engaging in relationship
    • If you want to be serious about being a disciple of Jesus
    • You need to be serious about food

 

Three thoughts on Jesus, food & ministry

 

1: Meals are a celebration of Grace… food/meals matter to God

• Food isn’t just fuel for your body – It literally is a gift from God
  • And it’s a reminder that all life is a gift from God
  • When you don’t eat… first you get grumpy then you die
  • We need food in order to survive
• Meaning we need the gifts God gives us – Gift can be translated grace
  • We need the grace of God and to take it into our bodies
  • And meals were designed by God to be eaten in his presence
  • In fact in OT… when making a sacrifice there is always this line
    • “And eat it in the presence of YHWH”
    • Part of sacrifice went on the altar… other part you would eat
    • Basically giant church BBQ – to receive God’s grace in ur life
• This is why the prayer before a meal is called what… GRACE
  • It’s a prayer to say THANK YOU to God for his grace before you
  • Why if you follow Jesus we shouldn’t be BLESSING THE FOOD
  • Opening line “Dear Jesus” (not writing a letter… just Jesus)
    • Bless this food to my body… food is the blessing not blessed
• Blessing the food actually came from medieval religious dogma
  • Where middle ages the believed all pleasure was evil and fleshly
  • Because you were about to enjoy something… ask God to bless it
    • As a repentance because the food was gonna taste good
    • Do you think that was Jesus world view – NOT AT ALL!!!
• That medium rare ribeye steak is a blessing to your body and soul
  • You don’t have to ask God to bless it… as if that even makes sense
  • Also makes no sense to ask God to bless that Krispy Kreme donut
    • Not gonna bless your body no matter how hard you pray
• We don’t bless the food… we bless GOD!!!
  • Use that time to remind ourselves of the grace we have in Jesus
  • And tell him we are grateful and thankful for this food
  • And in eating this GOD WE. BLESS. YOU.

Meals should be a celebration of God’s goodness in your life

• That’s why when anything goes well what do we do?? EAT
  • Birthday – Lets go out to dinner
  • Promotion – Lets celebrate with a party
  • Anniversary – Where am I taking my wife out to dinner
• God hardwired you that way because meals are a celebration
  • And a picture of what life is like in Gods kingdom

2: Meals are the perfect catalyst for community

Meals cultivate friendship

• Word “companion” is English translation from two Latin words
  • Come – Together
  • Panius – Bread
  • Something happens when we come together around bread
    • Glutten Free then Humas
• But the sad thing is: Less and less people are eating together
  • Study – Last 3 decades 33% decrease in families eating together
  • Average family eats 3 meals together a week
    • Less than 20 minutes
    • Most of the time in front of a TV
• And what I know is we can change that… doesn’t have to be this way
  • That’s why most of our home groups eat together
  • Its not always dinner… but there is food involved

And in a world that is so isolated we need to fight back

• If you want your family to be closer – Eat together
• If you want your neighborhood to be closer – Eat together
• If you want your church to grow closer – What… Eat together
  • Its why we are building the commons – Spending all this money
  • Its why Kyle and I spend 5 days in there working per week
  • Its why Paul, Joshua, Johnny come after work
  • We are creating a place “the commons” to cultivate community

Earliest days of the church – Sweeping move of the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:42-47

They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teachings and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer…

• This is church of Jesus disciples… If anyone knows how to do church
  • There are 4 core pillars of their meetings
  • AND ONE OF THEM IS EATING!!!

…every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

• Look at the power of breaking bread in homes together – Salvation

 

3: Meals are an invitation to the Kingdom

There is no better way to carry the kingdom forward than through eating

• There’s no better way to get to know people than over a meal
• There’s no better way to dialogue, discuss and share than over a meal
• There’s no better environment to share gospel than over a meal

Chef that became a pastor

It’s good to be reminded that the table is a very ordinary place, a place so routine and everyday that its easily overlooked as a place of ministry… at its base, hospitality is about providing a space for God’s Spirit to move. Setting a table, cooking a meal, washing the dishes is the ministry of facilitation: providing a context in which people feel loved and welcome and where God’s Spirit can be at work in their lives.

We can shape our communities and church through eating

• Being like Jesus… means eating with people – and not just Christians
  • And best part – All of us can do this
  • The mission of God is simply setting a table and eating
  • And you have to eat anyways so you must have time
    • 7 days a week is 21 meals a day… can you do 1
    • 84 meals a month… can you do 1 or 2
• And you don’t have to give a sermon – or even open the Bible
  • Just eat/drink/laugh and be open about who you are
  • The Bible will come out of you because its in you
  • If you love Jesus just be yourself

And here is my prayer for all of us this week – Go eat food with people

• Go eat good food with good people person
  • And by good I mean what God says in Gen. 1 when he made man
  • And declared His creation to be good
• And if you are here today and don’t believe in God at all
  • Jesus wants to have dinner with you
  • Doesn’t matter what label the world or anyone else has given you
  • Jesus is welcoming you to His table today
• If you feel like a failure/rejected… knowing but distant from God
  • Jesus wants to have dinner with you
• If you’re lonely and no connections and feel no one cares
  • Jesus wants to have dinner with you… and so do we

[PRAY]