Mark 2  If we look at the book of Mark in the light of his opening statement.. "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." .. and Jesus' statement, " The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand.."  Then, we can take Mark's somewhat hurried account of event after event.. as snapshots.. postcards..declarations... of the Kingdom's appearance.. of His reign, come to earth.

In this chapter Mark writes about  the paralytic let down through the roof.  Here, Jesus makes the startling statement, "My son, your sins are forgiven."  He heals the man.. " in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins."  ( v2-13)

Next, Mark records the calling of Matthew the tax-collector and the dinner at his house with other tax-collectors and sinners. When the Pharisees question this, Jesus declares, " it is not those who are healthy that need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous but sinners." ( v14-17)

Then,  there was a question about fasting and Jesus compares Himself to the bridegroom who is present, but who would go away.. (v19-20)

Finally, Mark writes of the disciples plucking grains and eating them on the Sabbath and how that offended the Pharisees.  Jesus responds that, " The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. Consequently, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." 

Four remarkable statements.. pictures.. monuments, if you will, of the Kingdom:
Jesus, the One with authority to forgive sins.
Jesus, the One who came to call sinners.
Jesus, the One Present with them, but who would go before them.
Jesus, the Lord over "even the Sabbath".. over every Law, every statute, every commandment.

Verses 21-22 sometimes seem out of place in this sequence of events ( to me at least).. but maybe I am beginning to understand what Jesus means when He talks about not putting a new cloth on an old garment or new wine in an old wineskin.  The disciples, the crowd, the Pharisees.. were all comfortable and familiar with their old ideas of the Kingdom of God, and Jesus was giving them a whole new picture. The Truth of God's Kingdom couldn't just be a patch or a replacement in an old vessel.. There had to be a complete change in each individual.  A new birth.  A new creation.

Oh so thankful, that Jesus came to call sinners, to forgive sins, to reign forever as King of kings and Lord of lords. So thankful that God's Kingdom has come and that the Bridegroom is coming back again to take us to be with Him forever.  How much greater and more wonderful is the True Kingdom of God than anything thought or imagined by those who questioned, challenged, and crucified our Gracious Savior.  Father, open our eyes, fill our hearts with Your Word and Your Spirit, that we might declare the truth of Your Kingdom everywhere we go.  Amen.