Mari Ikeda

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Let’s Not Mistake A Means For The Purpose (Mark 2:23-3:6)

<A side story>

The limit of the Bible seen in Abiathar? Ahimelek?

<Main story>
1. The purpose of the Sabbath

2. We mistake a means for the purpose

a. Focusing on unimportant things (23-28)

23 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. 24 The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” 25 He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? 26 In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” 27 Then 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.”

b. Missing the important thing (1-6)

1 Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. 2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. 3 Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.” 4 Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. 5 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

3. What purpose do we live for?

8 But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.
9 I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.

Summary

What God wants us is only that we love and worship Him. That is the reason why we are given this life, the purpose of our life. The Bible, Sunday services, our personal prayer, our everyday tasks, and every other thing is just a means to fulfill this sole purpose. However, because we have a strong tendency to love ourselves and make ourselves our god, we often mistake a means for the purpose.

For Discussion

Is what is the most important for you now really important?