Mark 2:13-3:12
Jesus changes people. Levi became Matthew (14). He became ‘a new creation’(2 Corinthians 5:17). The change of name marked his new birth (John 3:6). To be changed by Jesus you must recognize yourself as a sinner (17). There is a world of difference between legal obedience - ‘old wine’- and Gospel obedience - ‘new wine’(21-22). There is an eternity of difference between belonging to God’s Kingdom and remaining outside of His Kingdom (John 3:3,5,7). The religion of the Pharisees was legalistic. The obedience of Jesus was spiritual. Will we follow Jesus, or will we be like these ‘religious’ men who planned ‘to destroy Him’(6)? It is sadly possible to participate in ‘religion’, professing faith in ‘the Son of God’, in an ‘unclean spirit’(11). Prompted by the Holy Spirit, let us truly confess that ‘Jesus is Lord’(1 Corinthians 12:3).
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Blessings in Christ
Christ in all the Scriptures
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