Sabbath: Controversies
Daily Lesson for Sabbath 13th of July 2024
Image © Pacific Press
Read for This Week’s Study
Mark 2:1-28; Mark 3:1-6, Micah 6:6-8, 1 Samuel 21:1-6, Mark 3:20-35, Luke 12:53, Luke 14:26.
Memory Text:
“And He said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath’ ” (Mark 2:27-28, NKJV).
Mark 2:1-28; Mark 3:1-6 contains five stories that illustrate Jesus’ teaching in contrast to the teaching of the religious leaders. The stories are in a specific pattern in which each successive story links to the one before via a topical parallel. The final story circles around and reconnects with the first one.
Each one of these stories illustrates aspects of who Jesus is, as exemplified by the statements in Mark 2:10,17,20,28. Our studies on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday will delve deeper into the meaning of these accounts and Christ’s statements in them.
Mark 3:20-35 is the subject for study on Wednesday and Thursday.
What we will see, too, is an example of a technique the Gospel writer uses that is called “sandwich stories.” This narrative pattern appears at least six times in Mark. In each case some important aspect of the nature of Jesus and His role as Messiah, or the nature of discipleship, is the focus.
This week, we will read some accounts about Jesus and see what we can learn from them.
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, July 20.
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Most of the controversy Jesus had during his ministry were with the conservative Pharisees. Does that mean that conservatism is a sin? I am guessing that during this coming week and probably several more times during this study we will have the opportunity to explore this question more deeply. Of course, I am tempted to answer immediately, but that would spoil the discussion. Keep that question in mind as we study and, even more, think what the implications are for Seventh-day Adventists now.
[I have been away from the keyboard for a few days this week while undergoing several medical procedures. I have been diagnosed with bowel cancer. The prognosis is good but there is major surgery scheduled in about a month. We were alerted to my condition by a Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) which we have done every two years. I pray that others will be reminded that early detection has the potential to save lives.]
Brother Maurice be of good courage and know that your healing is guaranteed in Jesus Holy name 🙏🙏
May the Lord of healing on sabbath, visit you this sabbath.
Go with the flow, one step at a time, leave everything to God, and he will see you through this storm (I speak through experience.) I pray you heal quickly.
Maurice,
Your presence was indeed missed. I'm glad your prognosis is good and ill keep you in my prayers. Definitely, early detection saves lives. In my family, there is a history of colon cancer so I understand the importance and thankful you've shared your story. 🙏🏾❤🙏🏾
Maurice: It is my prayer that our Father will guide the doctors in their treatment of you before during & after the surgery, and that it will be his will to
safely return you to your ministry to us. You have truly been a blessing to
me in my understanding of spiritual things. Thank you
Joining your brothers and sisters in prayer over you brother Maurice.
So sad to hear this Maurice, but glad the prognosis is good. You will be in my prayers as well.
You will be in our prayers Sir Maurice.
Love from Sarah.
Maurice,
May the Lord see you through this tough time.
Praying for you. You have been such a source of reference, joy (with sharing bird videos) knowledge and refreshing perspectives. I genuinely appreciate and admire you for allowing Jesus to guide you. He WILL see you through
Praying for your healing Maurice as well as strength for you & your family during this time. God is able.
Dear Elder Ashton,
I believe that with the right treatment and support, we can overcome this. I will pray for your healing.
Oh great physician, for all the power that you are known to be God, arise and declare total healing upon every damaged cell in Maurice body in Jesus name amen 🙏
May God stand with you in Jesus name 🙏🙏
Wish you a successful surgery brother Maurice
Sir Maurice be asured that the Lord of the Sabbath we are studying about this day will grant you healing. Just hold unto him🙏
Hi Maurice, I am sure I speak the thoughts of many who look forward to reading your comments. May the waiting time go quickly, and your doctors have success in their work to completely annihilate your cancer.
Hi Maurice, I pray for healing in the mighty name of Jesus. You are covered by his precious blood and nothing is to difficult for our Lord with faith.
Maurice, May the Lord you serve religiously take charge before, during and after the procedure. You shall testify.
Maurice God has you in His care. He knew you from the foundation of the world. Before you were conceived He thought of you and what He was going to do when this cancer showed up. He has the answer to death and of course to disease - all disease. He calls each star (and there are trillions of them) by its name. Ps. 147:4 Great is our Lord and mighty in power: His understanding is infinite. vs. 5. Yet He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Ps 147:3.
"Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears before God. You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him. He who numbers the hairs of your head is not indifferent to the wants of His children. “The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” James 5:11. His heart of love is touched by our sorrows and even by our utterances of them. Take to Him everything that perplexes the mind. Nothing is too great for Him to bear, for He holds up worlds, He rules over all the affairs of the universe. Nothing that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice. There is no chapter in our experience too dark for Him to read; there is no perplexity too difficult for Him to unravel. No calamity can befall the least of His children, no anxiety harass the soul, no joy cheer, no sincere prayer escape the lips, of which our heavenly Father is unobservant, or in which He takes no immediate interest. “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3."
"The relations between God and each soul are as distinct and full as though there were not another soul upon the earth to share His watchcare, not another soul for whom He gave His beloved Son." Maurice, I know that God has this. He gave His Son for you and all of us.
The last part of the message to you Maurice is a quote from "Steps to Christ" p.100. Blessings.
Good morning, Maurice. Happy Sabbath.
Thank you for sharing with us about your new diagnosis of bowel cancer. As you mentioned, early detection is crucial. I know that God is protecting you during this challenging time. Please remember that you are surrounded by people who care deeply for you and are here to support you in any way you need.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Warm regards,
Myrtice 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Hi Maurice,
This is the first time I'm commenting and I wish you all the best. I will keep you and the family in my prayers 🙏🏽
One of my favorite sayings of Jesus is: ”A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:35-36.
The following sentence tells me what it is that makes me a member of His family: ”I know you are Abraham’s descendants, but you are trying to kill Me because My word has no place within you ...“ John 8:37.
Rom.8:2 - ”For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death.”
Gal.5:1 - ”It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.”
Jesus did not concern Himself with the dangers associated with threads coming from those who cannot perceive His actions correctly; He exposed them to show who their master is. They cannot ‘understand’ Him because they are enslaved by the Spirit of this World which has taken hold of their heart and mind.
Jesus came to set us free from the stranglehold by the spirit of this world on our heart and mind which made us slaves to sin. When He opend our eyes and we repented from following the deceiver, He brought into our heart and mind the Light of the Holy Spirit with powers to expel all evil.
May our merciful God be with through it all
Maurice, may the Lord you serve take charge of everything and everyone before, during and after the procedure. You shall testify.
👋 Maurice In the name of Jesus Christ you will be recovering by faith trust and belief amen
May God intervene in your condition and allow you more time to share your knowledge of Him with others. Blessings
I'm very grateful for your prayers and support at this time. Your messages give me great comfort.
Cheers
Maurice
Praying for you brother Maurice.
I will keep you in my prayers Maurice. You have been a tremendous blessing to this Sabbath School class. "My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will select who he chooses, to be endowed with the gift of healing and or the gift of miracles, and use your healing to bring glory to God."
Praying for you! I always look forward to your comments on our lesson and share them regularly! Thank you so much!
Prayers for you brother Maurice. God is good he will bring you through. May it come and go quickly. We love your commentary everyday.
We both will keep you in our prayers maurice,God is right with you. We both look forward to your explanations of the lesson on the blog. Healing and blessings.
Professor Maurice,
I noticed your absence and came searching for you this morning and was delighted when I saw you were back. After reading your comment, I discovered the reason for your absence. I’m so very sorry to learn of your diagnosis but happy about the prognosis. Thank God for the gift of medicine! The Omniscient One is well aware of you and is already at work on your behalf. He who has begun a good work in you is able to perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. You’re in the BEST HANDS. Embrace His peace.
I will lift you, your family and the medical staff up in prayer throughout this journey. 🙏🏾😊🙏🏾
Good Morning Professor Maurice.
So much sorry but pray for you're speedy recovery soon.
AMEN 🙏🏿!!!
Brother Maurice: We love you so much that your thoughts you share with us every week for our Sabbath School lessons make a lot of difference in our understanding of the lesson. I will keep you in my prayers every day. So glad that the prognosis is good. Take care and God bless.
So thankful we have a Savior who is with us always, that you caught this early and treatment is available. You will be our prayers Maurice.
Mourice may healing be your portion in Jesus name
Brother Maurice :Isaiah 53:5 says with His wounds we are healed.
you`re heal in Jesus name
Bro Maurice, God is fully aware of this situation from even the beginning to the end and God's thought for you is good but not evil to give you an expected end, by the mercies and promises of God your healing is guaranteed in Jesus name. Be of good courage, the Lord will do it and we will return all praises to Him. God bless you
Maurice, our good God who hears and answers prayers has had all these prayers offered and will perfectly heal you.
Wish you God's precence as you undergo tje procedure
We will walk with you through this times . We really appreciate for your unshaken faith and support of Sabbath. The great physician Christ heals the sick