Welcome to our new project, the Daily Bible Devotional. The goal is to help you understand and apply

scripture as you go through a New Testament Bible read five days a week, Monday through Friday,

as we move from Matthew straight through to Revelation. In under four minutes each morning, we will recap the chapter,

make some application, present thought questions for the day, and offer a prayer together.

I'm excited about exploring God's Word with you, so let's get started.

Welcome back. Let's spend some time discussing Mark chapter two together today.

This chapter strings together events that seem unrelated, but they all have something in common,

Jewish accusers. Jesus heals the paralytic who is lowered down to him through a roof by his friends.

The scribes quickly accused Jesus of blasphemy for forgiving the lame man's sins.

Following this, Jesus calls Matthew a tax collector to follow him. A dinner is held at Matthew's house,

and many sinners are invited to see Jesus. The Pharisees stand outside and accuse Jesus of

ungodly behavior. After a brief conversation with John the Baptist

disciples, Jesus and his disciples pass through a grain field. The disciples eat from the field,

and the Pharisees show up, accusing them of violating the law. Jesus silences them with these

words, quote, the son of man is Lord, even of the Sabbath. Let's find some faith

application from this text. Amid the Pharisees' fault-finding mission is a series of beautiful

moments with Jesus. The lame man had friends willing to work to get him to Jesus, resulting in

Jesus rewarding their faith with forgiveness of

sins. Matthew is called to Christ and organizes a dinner so that others may know him. Jesus is willing and

says, quote, I did not come to call the righteous, but the sinners. This is a time of celebration,

as he points out to John's followers. We live in a time like this, amplified by the

resurrection of Jesus. He heals and forgives and seeks to save sinners. Surround yourself with

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