RELIGION – Trying to control God by being devoted/sincere (ie. self-righteous)  
IRRELIGION – Asserting control without God (ie. self-determining)  

Jesus is a friend of sinners and a threat to religion. 

Mark 2:13-22  

13 Jesus went out again beside the sea. The whole crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. 14 Then, passing by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, “Follow me,” and he got up and followed him.

15 While he was reclining at the table in Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating[a] with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who were following him. 16 When the scribes who were Pharisees[b] saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat[c] with tax collectors and sinners?”

17 When Jesus heard this, he told them, “It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

  • Tax Collectors - The Jewish tax collectors were easily the most HATED men in Hebrew society. They were considered to be despicable vermin. They were not only hated for their extortion, but also because they were the lackeys of the Romans.   
  • Pharisees – emphasized ORAL TRADITION as a way to “build a fence” around the written law, hoping to prevent people from even coming close to breaking it. 

They were concerned with what Jesus WAS doing. They were concerned with what Jesus WASN’T doing.  

  1. Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners? – They were CONCERNED with Jesus giving attention to those whom they didn’t worthy.  
    a. Jesus is saying: Those who know their need will have their need met. 
  2. Why don’t your disciples fast? They were concerned that the traditions and practices of asceticism weren’t be acknowledged.  
    a. Jesus’ disciples didn’t fast, because they were experiencing the fullness of Jesus. 

Religion 

The Gospel 

“I obey, therefore I am accepted.” 

“I am accepted, therefore I obey.” 

My motivation is based on fear and insecurity. 

My motivation is based on grateful joy. 

I obey God in order to get things from God. 

I obey God to get God — to delight in and resemble Him. 

Assess: 

  1. Does your prayer life consist largely of petition, and is the purpose of prayer about control? The gospel allows us to use prayer as a means of fellowship with God, expressed in adoration and gratitude. 
  2. Does your self-view swing between two extremes: When you’re living up to standards you feel confident, and when you’re not living up to standards you feel insecure? The gospel says that in Christ I am accepted. 
  3. Do you look down on those you perceive as lazy or immoral? The gospel says that I am saved by grace and so I can’t look down on those who can’t live up to an external standard. 
  4. Do you “idolize” talent, moral record, personal discipline or social status?  The gospel says that idols need not define or control, but rather my heart is being reshaped by grace.