Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea...

This is a strategic withdrawal, the kind that comes from having a plan and thinking through a problem. Jesus was showing his smarts right here. The Pharisees had just set him up. Jesus, like Daniel before him, was regular in some ways; he could be counted on to help someone in need. If someone needed healing Jesus would do it.

Now it was the Sabbath. The Pharisees had carefully crafted a set of restrictions to make sure the Sabbath was NEVER broken. The ship was not going down on their watch and they jealously guarded the law down to its letter. Though not imitated they were heros. Now Jesus had different ideas and different methods for engaging the law. The Pharisees thought it was wrong to heal on the Sabbath. If it was life threatening, "Sure," they said, but if not wait a day. Jesus claimed that he was way bigger than the Sabbath and that in fact the Pharisees and everything they were working toward was wrong. There was conflict.

The synagogue, a place of conflict. It was Sabbath at the synagogue. A man with a withered hand was there. Did the Pharisees plant him? They WANTED Jesus to heal him so they could catch him on a clear law violation and arrest him. They didn't appreciate his new ideas, unmatched authority and popularity.

Jesus made the show. He called the man up and stared the Pharisees down. It's beautiful how he put it. I paraphrase, "What do you think? Is it okay if I do something good on the Sabbath or do I have to do something bad?" He had the power to heal. Jesus was thinking that surely the Sabbath was given by God to promote life. Jesus could give this guy life. Surely it wasn't bad to heal this guy. On the other hand if he didn't heal this guy wouldn't that be bad? Wouldn't he be doing evil by withholding what good he could give? He stepped it up another notch, "I can save this guys life today or not (by keeping your tradition) and let him stay in death. What do you say?" The eyes locked and the tension was heavy.

They kept there mouths shut. Jesus had clearly laid the issue out and they wouldn't answer. He got angry. He looked around at them and was ANGRY. How could they protect there little party at the expense of God's clear desire. This guy's life was at stake and they were missing it. He was angry and sad at their hardness of heart. These men were unmoved by the presentation of raw human need when it came against their world.

Jesus healed the guy and the Pharisees went out right away to call a meeting with the politicians to figure out how to kill Jesus. They were through.

Then Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea. The sea. That's where the crowds were. Jesus was not afraid. He didn't skip the church service because of the big bad Pharisees. He was cramped there. He was always being "watched" and the space was small. He broke custom and went out by the ocean. Huge crowds came out from everywhere. He got a boat from his disciples to push out into the water a little bit because he was almost crushed.

Here was a little bit more freedom and a little bit more room. That's why he got out of the synagogue. It fit him better.

I was thinking about this the other day. What if the school system is like the synagogue of Jesus' day? There are many who need training in Kingdom service. Is the current seminary and Bible school set-up like the synagogue or is it like the sea. Can all those who need to come fit? Are the real leaders of the church able to come during school with jobs and families? What about expense? Are the real leaders of the church able to find a way? Are the seminaries and school systems supporting Jesus' ideas and people?

If not we may find him withdrawing quickly and strategically to find himself where he is not shut down and where the people can all come.

Look in China. Look in India. Look in Africa. Look in Latin America. There are millions of Christians springing up. Are they being led? Absolutely! Their leaders are not quitting church planting, business-running and family-having to go to a campus for some classes that run 9-5. They are pressing ahead by the sea because Jesus is there. Let's find ourselves among the disciples and go away with them.

thanks to RT France for his excellent commentary on Mark's gospel. It is clear, readable and enjoyable. You'll come away loving Jesus more.