Dinner companions
Day 289, Tuesday, May 27
Mark 1:20 – 2:17
While there is much continuity between the Old and New Testaments, one of the big changes is the approach to people outside the faith.
At the end of Ezra we saw how distressed Ezra was over the intermarriage between the Hebrews and the surrounding population. Separation, to Ezra, was the only way to maintain the purity of the faith.
Jesus takes a very different approach and seems to actively seek out opportunities to encounter people who, though sometimes Jewish in name, are living outside the faith.
In Chapter 2 of Mark, Jesus is criticized by the Pharisees for sharing a meal with people they consider to be outside the practice of the faith: sinners and tax collectors. Jesus responds by saying, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
This contrasts sharply with Ezra’s approach to break off relations with those outside the faith.
In another sense, though, there is similarity.
While Ezra insisted that those married to non-Jews end those relationships, he did invite those who had committed the sin to repent and seek forgiveness.
Jesus, as the son of God, was able to go a step further and actually grant that forgiveness—earlier in this chapter he said, “I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”

Tuesday meditation

Proverbs 28:24-26
Whoever robs their father or mother and says, “It’s not wrong,” is partner to one who destroys.
The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper.
Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.

Prayer focus
Jesus, forgive us our sins.

-Rev. Mark Fleming