Reading 3—Are You Hungry or Satisfied?

Read Mark 2:1-28

“David … when he and his companions were hungry and in need … 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.” (Mk 2:25-26)

Jesus, our great high priest in the order of Melchizedek, Son of David and Son of God, when he and his companions hungered, also shared his Father’s food with his companions, even as they picked the grains from the fields on the Sabbath when the Pharisees said it was unlawful for them to do so. (Mk 2:22-23)

Earlier in this passage, some fellows lowered their paralytic friend through an opening they made in the roof. They could not get their friend to Jesus for his healing any other way. Jesus healed the man when he saw their faith, saying to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” In doing so, the teachers of the law thought to themselves that Jesus was blaspheming God. They believed God alone could forgive sins, but still did not believe Jesus was the Son of God.

But Mark says Jesus immediately knew in his spirit what they were thinking in their hearts, telling them he just as easily could have healed the paralytic by commanding he get up, take his mat and walk. This he did, to show them “… the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” (Mk 2:10) Everyone was amazed and astonished.

When Jesus calls us to follow him, as he did Levi, he does so full knowing we sinners are unbelieving, unhealthy, and dying. Fortunately, in the power of free will, some of us choose to do what is right, and Jesus heals us with mercy and compassion. Is not what Jesus is doing his Father’s will for us on earth?

How does the faith Mark addresses in this chapter compare with the faith Jesus mentions in Luke 18:8?

What will you do, follow Jesus or wait until he is on social media so you can follow him with your friends?

Heavenly Father, all glory and honor and praise with thanksgiving to you forever. Open our hearts to your call that we might listen to Jesus as he listens to you. Heal us, Lord, that we may walk humbly in the Light of your Truth—able to see Jesus even in the neighbors around us. Yea, Lord, strengthen the weakness of our flesh by your Spirit. Help us to seek always your kingdom and your righteousness. Amen.

R. Carlos Cavazos of Advent, Spindale, NC writes: I was born and raised a Roman Catholic. I became Lutheran after my Swedish-American girlfriend dumped me, although, like Luther, I am more Christian than Lutheran. Have always enjoyed the great outdoors because I have always found Him there more easily, though more often it seems that’s when He finds me.