Mark Chapter 2
By Pastor Steve
“Too Many Whys’ and How Comes’”
When our kids were young we played the “Why” and “How Come” game all too often. If you have raised children you know exactly what I am talking about! Why is the sky blue Daddy? You need to clean up the living room Joshie—How come Daddy; Kristy is the one who messed it up. Why did God make Green Beans anyway Daddy? And the winner—How long until we get there Daddy? Children asking questions is perfectly normal and healthy. They are expanding their reasoning abilities and expressing their desire to understand the purpose of life.
When reading Mark chapter 2, I found myself thinking about how many times we ask too many questions of the Lord. In this passage, Jesus was questioned by the Teachers of the Law about His ability to forgive sins. He was questioned about His willingness to eat with sinners. The Pharisees challenged Jesus because He did not make His disciples fast in the same manner as John the Baptist’s disciples fasted. And then the Pharisees even questioned the Lord because He was plucking a few grains of wheat as He walked through a grain field with His companions.
For children, the questions are rooted in the desire to grow and understand. For the Pharisees, the questions came in the form of challenge because of established traditions. The Religious Leaders were challenging the Lord’s spiritual intentions when they should have been watching and witnessing the Lord’s teachings.
Sometimes I wonder how we do when Jesus provides new revelations about our faith journey? We read a passage of Scripture, and a new truth is presented. Do we accept it, or challenge the new revelation?
Maybe we just need to stop saying “How come” Lord; and start asking “How Lord?”
