Jesus and the Traditional Community

Jesus and the Traditional Community (Mark 2: 1- 3:6)

Four of the five stories that follow begin, as stories before them did, as stories of healings (paralytic; man with a withered hand), or calling disciples (Levi the toll collector), or events that occur on the Sabbath (plucking grain; withered hand). These stories continue to demonstrate the presence of God’s realm, generously offering forgiveness of sin (not connected to Jesus’ death in Mark) and health and wholeness, even to the despised and outcast. The middle story begins with a question to Jesus about why his disciples are not fasting. But all five stories end in controversy between Jesus and the leaders of his community…