Journal Day 1

October 2, 2006 - Day 1

Mark 2:18-3:21
Passage: The general message of the texts that I read today is that Jesus is the Christ, the fulfillment of the Old Testament. The Pharisees and John’s disciples wanted to know why Jesus’ disciples were not fasting also. Jesus says in parable like fashion that his disciples are only doing what is reasonable. It seems that Jesus understands one purpose of fasting to be a means to draw closer to God. Jesus’ point is “Why fast to draw closer to God when God is here in your presence, that is, I am here?” His point is that something new has come along that will do away with the old methods. He is beginning to reveal himself as the Christ.

Application: Even though I am not at this turning point in redemptive history like the people of this story, these texts are very applicable. While doing ministry and receiving education it is very easy to get distracted from the main point. I often get distracted from focusing on God while I am doing the things of God much like a child who prefers to play with the wrapping paper rather than the gift. Jesus constantly deals with this issue with his disciples. The Pharisees and John’s disciples did not understand that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God so they were distracted by the old. I on the other hand do know Jesus as the Christ and so it is probably doubly foolish to be distracted from Him. I must strive to keep Jesus in focus.