This message examines Jesus’s conflict with the Pharisees in Mark 2, exploring how Jesus confronted religious legalism by eating with tax collectors and redefining fasting practices. Pastor Mark Deering uses the analogy of a trellis to illustrate how spiritual rhythms (like Bible reading, prayer, and worship) should support our relationship with God rather than become rigid religious obligations. Three key principles emerge: we need healthy spiritual rhythms, those rhythms must be flexible for different life seasons, and we shouldn’t use our rhythms to judge others. The central challenge is to let Jesus set the rhythm of our faith so we can live out of authentic relationship with Him rather than religious duty.
Reflection Questions:
- “What stuck out in today’s message? What did you find challenging and encouraging? Did you learn anything new?
- When have you felt really welcomed or included by someone, even if you didn’t quite “fit” at first? What did that person do/say/act?
- Read Mark 2:13–22. What do you notice about Levi’s (later called Matthew) response to Jesus’ call? How do you think he felt when Jesus invited him to follow?
- How do the religious leaders react to Jesus eating with “tax collectors and sinners”? Why do you think this was such a big deal in their culture?
- Jesus uses three different images in v.18–22. What are those three images, and what are the similarities between them?
- Levi left everything (career, reputation, relationships) to follow Jesus. What are some of the things you left behind when you decided to follow Jesus? How has Jesus given you a new identity?
- Is there something in your life that Jesus may be calling you to leave behind in order to follow Him?
- Are there places or people you say, “We don’t go there”? What would it look like to see them the way Jesus did?
- Take time this week to reflect on your rhythms in the last month. Do you have healthy rhythms right now? What rhythms need to be changed or adapted to fit this season better? Confess the ways you have been judging others for their spiritual life, and acknowledge with God in prayer the reason for that judgment. “
