October 5 | The Problem with Jesus

Jesus faces booming popularity. Wherever he goes, massive crowds follow him. Some follow because they believe him, others out of curiosity and some out of antagonism. Jesus and the Pharisees are two prominent characters to circle in your journal for this week’s reading. Many characters come and go throughout the book of Mark. This conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees will continue over and over throughout. Rather than embracing Jesus, the religious elite have serious problems with him. As Jesus continues to preview God’s kingdom through his teachings and healings, his words and actions challenge the Pharisees’ authority and position. Rather than embracing him, they refuse to allow Jesus to renovate their way of life—and begin to plot his demise.

This week we will look at four problems the Pharisees have with Jesus. Each conflict reveals who Jesus is and what it means to follow him. We too can be like the Pharisees who reject Jesus’ power and authority. When confronted with his teachings, we can choose to open the door and allow him to renovate every area of our lives, or we can lock the door and refuse to allow him to have full authority.