Rev. David Appold, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Paducah, KY, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 2:23-3:6.
The first round of confrontation between Jesus and His opponents crescendos on a Sabbath. Although the LORD had established this day of rest for the purpose of His people hearing His Word and rejoicing in His work of creation and redemption, by Jesus’ day, the Pharisees had made it a list of things that were forbidden. When they question Jesus concerning His disciples’ activity on the Sabbath, Jesus reframes the question to teach His authority as David’s Son and David’s Lord. As the Son of Man, Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath. He, therefore, defines what is lawful, as He turns the question to His opponents. Jesus accomplishes the epitome of what is fitting and lawful on the Sabbath when He heals a man’s withered hand. In a tragic irony, His opponents begin to plot evil against Jesus on that very day. Their hardness of heart brings anger and grief to Jesus, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth in Him.
“The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Mark. The Evangelist hits the ground running with the very first verse of his Gospel account, and he never lets up the pace. As one deed of Jesus comes right after another, always paired with His authoritative Word, St. Mark proclaims the good news that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, revealed conclusively by His death on the cross.
