Read Mark 2:13-17

This story reflects one of many disagreements between Jesus and the religious establishment. Try to put yourself on both sides of the debate.

From the Pharisees point of view, why would it be bad for a rabbi (like Jesus) to eat with people of bad reputation?

From Jesus’ point of view, why was it necessary that he eat with people of bad reputation?

We must trust Jesus that we all are tax-collectors, sinners and bottom-feeders at heart. Why is it so necessary that we have this perception of ourselves for discipleship? If we have not committed enormous sins does that mean we must do so in order to follow Jesus?

Read Luke 15:1-7

What was the emotional reaction of the Pharisees at Jesus’ fraternizing with tax-collectors?

What does Jesus’ parable reveal ought to be the Pharisee’s (and our) emotional reaction to Jesus fraternizing with tax-collectors and sinners?

What does this teach us about how to have joy as disciples?

Do you gain a sense of joy from seeing Christ’s body, the Church, fraternize with sinners today? Should you? Why or why not?

How are all humans, Christians and non-Christians, like the leper in the story?

How are Christians in particular like the leper in the story?

Tell a story about a time when you felt like the leper in your approach to Jesus.

Why is approaching Jesus in this way important for all disciples in all times and places?

In the beginning of worship we read a Call to Worship based on Genesis 1. How was God’s “speaking and it was so” like what we Jesus doing in this passage?

The leper approaches Jesus, is forgiven by Jesus and then is given directives by Jesus. As Colin pointed out the leper did not listen to Jesus. Are there words of Jesus that you find you have trouble carrying out? How would life be better if, hearing them, you obeyed?

Did last week’s sermon prompt any questions or trains of thought?

The main point of the sermon was that Jesus certifies his authoritative right to disciple the world and thereby broadens our horizons for what it means to come under his authority as disciples.

Read Mark 1:21-34

How did Jesus certify or accredit his authoritative claims in Mark 1:21-34?

Watch A.J. Miller claiming to be Jesus during his interview with “Mary Magdalene”.

How does he certify the authority he claims? On what basis does he claim we should believe he is Jesus?

With every word or miracle of Jesus Peter’s horizons are broadened regarding what following Jesus means.

How has Jesus broadened your horizons regarding discipleship? In the area of scholarship, religious or otherwise? In the area of the invisible creation? In the arena of the visible creation? In the area of seasons or time?

                                                                           Mark 1:14-20

 

¹⁴ Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, ¹⁵ and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” ¹⁶ Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. ¹⁷ And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” ¹⁸ And immediately they left their nets and followed him. ¹⁹ And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. ²⁰ And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

Mark 1:1-15

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

² As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,

 

“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,

who will prepare your way,

³ the voice of one crying in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord,

make his paths straight,'”

 

⁴ John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁵ And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. ⁶ Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. ⁷ And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. ⁸ I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

 

⁹ In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰ And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. ¹¹ And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

 

¹² The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. ¹³ And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.

 

¹⁴ Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, ¹⁵ and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”