The Word for Today with Ray: April 2021

Friday, April 30, 2021

New Cloth on an Old Garment - Mark 2:21

Mark wrote how the “scribes and Pharisees” asked Jesus, “Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days”, and in chapter two and verse twenty-one of his book, Mark shares how Jesus said, “no man also sows a piece of new cloth on an old garment” where we read:

No man also sows a piece of new cloth on an old garment:

else the new piece that filled it up takes away from the old, and the rent is made worse.

The verse reads, “No man also sows a piece of new cloth on an old garment:” Mark began with the words, “no man also sows” which means “no person whether male or female even so and indeed stitches or fastens with a needle” “a piece of new cloth on” or “adds a new patch to cover over” “an old garment” which means “a worse for wear and worn by use cloak, mantle, upper garment or tunic”. Mark shared how Jesus employed the example of those who “stitch” patches upon garment, and He made a point of emphasizing they do not use “new” patches on “old” garments.

The verse goes on to say, “else the new piece that filled it up takes away from the old, and the rent is made worse.” Mark added the words, “else the new piece” which means “or the new patch of cloth” “that filled it up” which means “that completed the tear or hole” “takes away from the old” or “lifts up, raises and removes the material from the old garment”, “and the rent is made worse” which means “and the division, hole, dissension and tear is more aggravated and sorer”. Mark shared how Jesus said the “new patch” would tear away from the “old garment” and make the initial hole or tear worse than it was at the beginning.

When we meditate upon Mark's words in this verse, it will help us to know the difference between patching clothing in Jesus' day verses ours. Clothes were not preshrunk or made of cloth that would shrink when washed. A “new patch” would shrink more than the older cloth which would tear the older garment even worse than it was before the patch was sowed in once the garment was washed again. The idea is that “new ideas” are very difficult to apply to “old” patterns, and if they are applied, they often “tear” the original one more than it was in the beginning. Jesus desires for people to be “spiritually pliable” and able to receive the idea of Him coming to “die” for their sins as the Messiah. Those who are like the “scribes and Pharisees” often stick to their “religious practices” and forfeit a relationship with Jesus who is the only One who is able to “save” them from their sins.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus and His disciples, “went through the corn fields on the sabbath day”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

When the Bridegroom Shall Be Taken Away - Mark 2:20

Mark wrote how the “scribes and Pharisees” asked Jesus, “Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast”, and in chapter two and verse twenty of his book, Mark shares how Jesus said, “the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them” where we read:

But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them,

and then shall they fast in those days.

The verse reads, “But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, …” Mark began with the words, “But the days will come” which means “however, moreover and the natural days between sunrise and sunset will arrive and happen”, “when the bridegroom” or “at the time and moment the groom to be married” “shall be taken away” which means “will be removed and carried off” “from them” which means “from the children of the groom”? Mark shared how Jesus told the “religious leaders” there would be a day when the “groom” would be removed from those who attend to Him.

The verse goes one to say, “... and then shall they fast in those days.” Mark continued with the words, “and then” which means “and at that time” “shall they fast” which means “will the children of the bridegroom abstain from food and drink as a religious practice” “in those days” or “in the days or times when the bridegroom is taken away”. Mark shared how the “children of the bridegroom” will “fast” after the “bridegroom” is “taken away from them”.

When we consider Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus used this illustration to demonstrate how things work when there is a “groom” waiting for His bride. In those days, the “groom” rather than the “bride” was the person of honor, and those who were his “children” or “attendants” were responsible for the “bridechamber” preparations. They would not “fast” from “food or drink” while the “groom” was with them because they were preparing the feast for his marriage. Jesus is the “bridegroom” and His “disciples” are like the “children” who care for the “bridechamber”, and those who yield their lives to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” are to “fast” only until He comes, and then all “fasting” will be unnecessary because His “children”, “the bride”, will be with the “groom”.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus declares, “no man also sows a piece of new cloth on an old garment”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Fasting While the Bridegroom is Present - Mark 2:19

Mark wrote about Jesus, “when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eats and drinks with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard it, he said unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples fast not?”, and in chapter two and verse nineteen of his book, Mark shares how Jesus asked “Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?” where we read:

And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

The verse reads, “And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?” Mark began with the words, “and Jesus said unto them” which means “and the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation uttered, declared and proclaimed to the religious leaders”, “Can the children” or “are the descendants and posterity able whether by virtue of their own ability and resources” “of the bridechamber” which means “belonging to the chamber containing the bridal bed in which the marriage ceremonies are held” “fast” or “abstain as a religious exercise from food and drink: either entirely, if the fast lasted but a single day, or from customary and choice nourishment, if it continued several days, “while the bridegroom” or “during the time the groom who is to be married” “is with them” which means “is among them”? Mark shared how Jesus answered the religious leaders with a question concerning the “descendants and posterity” of a groom abstaining from food and drink while the “groom” is still among them.

The verse goes on to say, “as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.” Mark continued with the words, “as long as they have the bridegroom with them” which means “for the length of time the children of the bridegroom still have the groom among them”, “they cannot fast” which means “the children of the bridegroom do not abstain from food and drink as a religious practice”. Mark shared how Jesus said the “children of the bridegroom” are unable to “abstain from food and drink” which the “groom” is still among them.

When we meditate upon Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus attempted to show the “religious leaders” that He as the Christ and Messiah was among His disciples, and there was no need for them to “fast” from food and drink as a religious practice. Jesus spoke of “fasting” in Matthew chapter five, and He gave the manner in which people should “fast”, however, as long as He was with His disciples, there was not need to “relate” to Him by abstaining from food and drink. God's desires is to have a personal relationship with every person, and when they receive Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, He comes into their life, changes them, and promises they shall have “everlasting life” with God without a need for “fasting” anymore.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus says, “the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Why Don't Jesus' Disciples Fast? - Mark 2:18

Mark wrote, “when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eats and drinks with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard it, he said unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance”, and in chapter two and verse eighteen of his book, Mark shares how the “scribes and Pharisees” asked, “why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples fast not?” where we read:

And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples fast not?

The verse reads, “And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, ...” Mark began with the words, “and the disciples of John” which means “and the students, pupils and attendants of John the Baptist” “and of the Pharisees” or “and belonging to the sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to Old Testament books the Pharisees recognized in oral tradition a standard of belief and life” “used to fast” which means “formerly abstained as a religious exercise from food and drink: either entirely, if the fast lasted but a single day, or from customary and choice nourishment, if it continued several days”: “and they come and say unto him” or “and the scribes and Pharisees approached Jesus and asked Him the following question”. Mark shared how the “scribes and Pharisees” knew “John's disciples” and the “Pharisees” “fasted”, so they approached Jesus with the following question.

The verse continues, “... Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples fast not?” Mark added the words, “why do the disciples of John” which means “for what reason and cause do the students, pupils and attendants of John the Baptist” “and of the Pharisees” or “and the sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to Old Testament books the Pharisees recognized in oral tradition a standard of belief and life” “fast” which means “abstain as a religious exercise from food and drink: either entirely, if the fast lasted but a single day, or from customary and choice nourishment, if it continued several days”, “but your disciples fast not” or “nevertheless Jesus' students, pupils and attendants do not abstained as a religious exercise from food and drink: either entirely, if the fast lasted but a single day, or from customary and choice nourishment, if it continued several days”? Mark shared how the “religious leaders” questioned Jesus concerning His “disciples'” lack of “fasting”.

When we consider Mark's words in this verse, we see the “religious leaders” questioning Jesus again. This time they were criticizing His disciples for not “fasting” like“the Pharisees” and “John the Baptist's disciples”. As a measure of focus upon “spiritual things”, people would “abstain” from food or drink to demonstrate their devotion to God and His ways. However, Jesus was with them, and there was no need to “fast” when He was in their presence. God's desire is to have a relationship with everyone, and when they yield their lives to His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, not only do they receive forgiveness of sins, but also shall inherit “everlasting life”.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus asks, “Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Thursday, April 29, 2021

The Whole Do Not Need the Physician - Mark 2:17

Mark wrote concerning Jesus, “as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eats and drinks with publicans and sinners?”, and in chapter two and verse seventeen of his book, Mark shares how Jesus said, “they that are whole have no need of the physician” where we read:

When Jesus heard it, he said unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

The verse reads, “When Jesus heard it, he said unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick:” Mark began with the words, “when Jesus” which means “at the time and moment Jesus who is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation” “heard it” or “was endowed with the capacity for hearing, aware and attentive to what the scribes and Pharisees asked His disciples”, “he said unto them” which means “Jesus uttered, declared and proclaimed to the scribes and Pharisees”, “they that are whole” or “the people who are not sick, strong in body and avail” “have no need of the physician” which means “do not have occasion for, demand or require the physician or doctor”, “but they that are sick” or “nevertheless, moreover and the people who are ill, miserable, wronged and reviled”. Mark shared how Jesus knew what the “scribes and Pharisees” asked His disciples and responded by letting them know people who are “not ill” do not require the services of a “doctor or physician”, but people who are “miserable and physically ill” do.

The verse goes on to say, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Mark continued with the words, “I came not to call” which means “Jesus did not arise, appear and show himself to invite, receive and bid forth ” “the righteous” or “people who observe divine laws, are innocent, faultless and guiltless”, “but sinners” which means “nevertheless, notwithstanding and moreover people who were devoted to sin, especially wicked who practiced certain vices or crimes and were heathen” “to repentance” or “to a change of mind, reversal of decisions and compunction for guilt including reformation”. Mark shared how Jesus said His purpose was not to call people who were “innocent and without fault” to Himself, but He “came” to “invite” people who were wicked, practiced evil and violated God's laws to change their ways.

When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus not only knew the “religious leaders” questions about Him, but He also knew how to answer them. Jesus did not come to “save” people who did not need “saving”, but He came to “turn people who were sinners” from their “sins”. Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead so people might have their “sins” forgiven and live “eternally” with God. Jesus knew the “spiritual condition” of these “tax collectors” and “sinners”, and without Him, they would never be “saved” from their sinful condition. He knows “there is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10), and everyone is “guilty” of violating God's law. Jesus “saves”, and those who are wise shall realize their “sinful state” and submit their lives to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus is asked, “why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples fast not?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

How Does Jesus Eat with Publicans and Sinners? - Mark 2:16

Mark wrote concerning Jesus, “as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him”, and in chapter two and verse sixteen of his book, Mark shares what happened when the “scribes and Pharisees” saw Jesus, “eat with publicans and sinners” where we read:

And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eats and drinks with publicans and sinners?

The verse reads, “And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, ...” Mark began with the words, “and when” which means “and at the time and moment” “the scribes” or “the men who were learned in the Mosaic law and in the sacred writings and were interpreters and teachers” “and Pharisees” which means “the sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to Old Testament books the Pharisees recognized in oral tradition a standard of belief and life” “saw him eat” or “observed and noticed Jesus consuming food and eating a meal” “with publicans” which refers to “tax gatherers and collectors who were Jews that were employed by the Roman government” “and sinners” or “and people who were devoted to sin, especially wicked, with certain vices or crimes and heathen”. Mark shared how the “religious leaders” known as the “scribes and Pharisees” observed Jesus eating with the “tax collectors” and “people devoted to sin”.

The verse continues, “... they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eats and drinks with publicans and sinners?” Mark added the words, “they said” which means “the scribes and Pharisees uttered, declared and proclaimed” “unto his disciples” or “to Jesus' students, pupils and attendants”, “how is it that he eats” or “in what way and for what reason does Jesus consume food” “and drinks” which means “and imbibe drink” “with publicans” or “alongside and beside tax gatherers and collectors who were Jews that were employed by the Roman government” “and sinners” which refers to “people who were devoted to sin, especially wicked, with certain vices or crimes and heathen”. Mark shared how the “religious leaders” questioned Jesus' disciples concerning Jesus “eating and drinking” with the “tax collectors” and “sinful people”.

When we meditate upon Mark's words in this verse, we see how the “religious leaders” were not only observing Jesus again, but they were also questioning His method of ministry. Jesus was able to get along with people in the world to such a degree they would invite Him to their home to eat, and like with “Levi”, Jesus enjoys the fellowship of people regardless of their state in life. Jesus' purpose for coming was to “save” people from their “sins”, and because He reached out to those who were despised by others, “scribes and Pharisees” questioned and were critical of Him. All who read these word should examine themselves and discover whether they are “disciples” of Jesus, potential “disciples” of Jesus or like the “religious leaders”, critics of Jesus.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus says, “they that are whole have no need of the physician”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.