The Jesus Mark Wants You to Know - 28 Days to Become More Intimate With JesusSýnishorn

Day 8 - Mark 2:18 - 3:33

Religion vs. Relationship

At this point in Jesus’ life, Mark shows us the difference between the religious rules and regulations of the Pharisees and the freedom Jesus offers sinners in need of forgiveness.

Word spread quickly over a large region and people traveled as far as 100 miles to see Him. Every time Jesus did something that seemed to break the religious law, or through miracles overcome the natural law, He was both sought after and opposed.

These things had never been done before and some began wondering if Jesus was out of His mind or perhaps possessed by Satan. What Jesus taught and did was nothing like what the religious teachers had ever experienced.

It was too unorthodox, too simple, too free and too unfamiliar. Therefore it must be bad. This angered and saddened Jesus. His offer of freedom, forgiveness, healing and deliverance was rejected because of hard hearts and closed minds.

Am I religious? Or do I have a personal relationship with God? Do I in any way reject His offer of unconditional love and forgiveness? Do I doubt His power to heal and deliver from demonic oppression? Do I have compassion and love for those not there yet?