Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

The Son of Man is LORD

Bryan Schneider · October 1, 2022

Mark 2:18

sharonrpc.org/sermons/the-son-of-man-is-lord

Summary

Jesus' arrival inaugurates a new era centered on the Messiah, producing disputes over fasting, necessary work on the Sabbath, and merciful work on the Sabbath.
The bridegroom's presence makes rejoicing appropriate, while his future removal will bring fasting as disciples long for his return.
The unshrunk patch and new wine illustrate that Christ's coming cannot simply be contained within inherited practices that miss the meaning of his presence.
The Pharisees rightly desire Sabbath holiness but multiply protective traditions until God's gift of rest becomes a means of judgment and self-righteousness.
David's reception of the consecrated bread shows that necessary care for hungry people accords with God's law, while the Pharisees fail to offer hospitality to David's greater Son.
By declaring himself Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus claims divine authority over a day established by God at creation and identifies himself as the giver of true rest.
Jesus heals the man with the withered hand openly because doing good, saving life, and showing mercy are fitting on the Sabbath; the Pharisees' silence exposes hardened hearts.
The leaders plot murder on the very day they claim to protect, while Christ calls his people into an era of joy, grace, rest, mercy, love of neighbor, and readiness to endure opposition for compassionate obedience.

Why is rejoicing more appropriate than fasting while the bridegroom is present?
What place does fasting have for disciples who await Christ's return?
What do the patch and wineskin illustrations reveal about the new era Jesus brings?
How can a desire to guard God's law become burdensome self-righteousness?
Why does Jesus appeal to David and the consecrated bread?
What does the statement that the Sabbath was made for man reveal about its purpose?
Why is Jesus' claim to be Lord of the Sabbath a claim of divine authority?
How does healing the withered hand interpret lawful mercy on the Sabbath?
What does the Pharisees' murder plot expose about their claimed Sabbath holiness?
Where might compassionate obedience expose you to rejection or criticism?

Bridegroom: Jesus' image for himself as the long-awaited Messiah whose presence brings covenant joy and whose removal occasions fasting.
Fasting: Voluntary abstinence from food for focused prayer, repentance, and longing for Christ rather than public display.
Sabbath: God's creation-rooted day of rest, worship, delight, necessity, and mercy, made for human good under Christ's lordship.
Works of necessity: Actions required to meet genuine human needs, illustrated by hungry disciples taking grain and David receiving consecrated bread.
Works of mercy: Compassionate acts that relieve suffering and preserve life, illustrated by Jesus restoring the withered hand.
Self-righteousness: Using religious observance to establish personal holiness or condemn others while neglecting love for God and neighbor.
Son of Man: Jesus' royal title for himself, here joined to his divine authority as Lord of the Sabbath.