I recently heard about a church member that had given his pastor trouble for years. He was always fussing, always critical of the way things were being done in the church. He saw it as his job to keep things in line. He hindered the work of the ministry and discouraged his poor pastor week after week.
This dear man was miserable and came to talk to his pastor a couple weeks ago to talk about it. As their conversation progressed the pastor asked him about his salvation. This man had never truly been saved! He had considered his church membership enough to get him to heaven. That night he trusted in Christ’s work on the cross for his sins and was saved! He then became a follower instead of a finger pointer!
I thought of that man this morning as I read in Mark 2. In this passage the scribes and Pharisees were so consumed with legalities of religion that they couldn’t rejoice in the life of the Redeemer. They were always looking so they could accuse Christ. Their first issue was that Jesus ate with publicans and sinners. They, who were sinners themselves, yet didn’t see themselves as such, were critical of Jesus’ spending time with the “worst of sinners.” How else would sinners be reached if time was not spent with them? They spoke to His disciples to try to dissuade them from following Christ. Stirring up dissension is what the devil does best.
The next criticism was aimed at the disciples because they didn’t fast. Jesus’ reasoning was because He was still with them. There would come a day when He was gone that they would fast., but now there was work to be done!
Then the disciples plucked corn off the stalks in the field and ate on the Sabbath…another no, no according to these wicked scribes and Pharisees. God’s servants needed the strength from the food so they could continue to serve.
Lastly they saw the man with the withered hand in the temple on the Sabbath and watched to see what Jesus would do, whether He would heal him or not. Jesus knew their wicked thoughts and healed the man. Jesus came to “save life” even on the Sabbath day!
These scribes and Pharisees were not godly. They were not followers of Christ. They were only religious. They were more concerned with legalities than they were with pointing people to the Savior. They wanted to make sure that all the commandments were followed to the letter. They really weren’t happy unless they had something to stir up.
There are those who proclaim to be righteous, but have their notebooks out, looking for an opportunity to stick out an accusing finger and place blame. Those that are looking over the edge of their glasses with a critical eye at what is being said and done are much like these unregenerated men. They are not lovers of Christ, but of Belial. They are following the pattern of the Accuser.
Note too, that the opposers are in the minority. Most of the people were in the crowds and wanted to be near Christ to hear His teaching (up to the point of His death that is). The S&P’s tried to hinder the work that Christ did. Stirred-up church members are also hindering. When they whisper behind their leader’s back and speak in hushed tones with eyebrows raised, they are not supporting the work, but tearing it down.
Which group do you find yourself in – the followers or the finger pointers? Be careful of Satan’s tactics. He’s looking for those he can use to keep things stirred-up. Let’s each determine to stand up instead to support the work of the ministry and encourage sinners to be reached, servants to be strengthened, work to be done, and life to be given.
RefreshHer 