The Special Convert
Mark 2:13-14
13 And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.
14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphæus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.
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We know- Who he was
Matthew 9:9
And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
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We know- Where he worked
Mark 2:14
14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphæus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.
Luke 5:27
27 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi,
sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.
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We know –Why he quit
Mark 2:14
14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphæus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him
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We Know – What he did
Mark 2:14
14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphæus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.
Mark 2:15And 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.
The Skeptical Critics
Mark 2:15-16
16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples,
How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?
Please animate the following
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How INSISTENT they were
(why are they even there?)
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How INFLUENTIAL they were
(John’s Disciples side with them)
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How INTENSIVE they were
(they criticized everything)
The Series of Criticisms
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They Criticize His Claim
Mark 2:6
But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies?
who can forgive sins but God only?
Jesus Responds Calmly
Mark 2:9-11
9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?
10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) 11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
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They Criticize His Conduct 16
Mark 2:16-17
And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?
Jesus Responds Confidently
Mark 2:17
17 When Jesus heard it, he saith 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.
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They Criticize His Companions
Mark 2:18
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 thy disciples fast not?
Jesus Responds Constructively
Matthew 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Mark 2:20 (Illustration #1 a wedding)
19 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. 20 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.
Mark 2:21 (Illustration #2 a torn garment)
21 No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.
Mark 2:22 (Illustration #3 a new wine bottle)
22 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.