To understand this question, we need to understand the Pharisee's world view. The Pharisee's world view is based on their understanding of the Law and Covenant. These concepts are fundamental to our understanding of Scripture and of God. Let's start with the covenant one of the great treasures of the Bible which we enact at every Mass and yet we are so unaware of it. Even the name of the Bible, testament means covenant. We could call the Old Testament, the Old Covenant and the New Testament, the New Covenant. When we talk about the old covenant, we are not saying it is over, in fact the new is the fulfillment of the old covenant.

THE OLD TESTAMENT COVENANT

A covenant is an agreement enacted between two people or groups in which one or both make promises to do or not do something. They usually have some rewards and punishments for doing or not doing the required actions. There are many covenants used today. In business it is used various ways to bind two or more businesses to agree to certain actions, but a religious covenant is far more than that. Marriage is a covenant between the husband and wife to share the rest of their lives together.

There are many covenants from the Old Testament. The history of Israel is shaped by these covenants and whether they were followed or not. In the ancient world great nations would make a covenant with weaker powers. The great nation would promise to protect the weaker power if the weaker power would pay the necessary taxes. If the weaker power did not pay up, then the greater power would destroy the weaker power. The covenant is the way military and political powers made pacts/alliances.

God makes a covenant with Israel, to be their God and for Israel to be God's people. By making a covenant with the one true God (as apposed to the many gods from all over the Ancient world), Israel could become a source of unity in the world. No longer is there to be division between nations. No longer is there to be many gods, but one God who is loving and merciful. Thus, Israel is to become a source of God's presence in the world.

The early covenants God made with people were about &&&charter

To live out this covenant relationship, God requires the people to live the ten commandments.

The Covenant with Abraham

Here is God's promise to Abraham.

"The LORD said to Abram: "Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father's house to a land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the communities of the earth shall find blessing in you." " (emphasis added)

Abraham believed God and so he became the 'father' of faith. He and Sarah are the original historical parents of all the Jews. Though Abraham and Sarah were old, Abraham still believed that God would give him a son, which he did, Isaac.

We see here the beginnings of three great covenants.

1) Land and a Nation: Moses fulfills this with the covenant God makes with his people at Mt. Sinai.

2) A line of Kings. Abraham's dynasty finds fulfillment in the promise God makes with King David that an heir of his will rule on the throne forever. ([Abraham's wife, Sarah] shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall come from her. (Gn 17:16)

3) Blessing of all nations comes from Jesus and the new and eternal covenant in his blood.

Abraham asked God, "How am I to know that I shall possess it?" So God ratified (used a ritual to indicate) his promise of the land with an ancient way covenants (major agreements) were sealed in those days - with a sacrifice. One or more animals were cut in half and the two parties would walk through the remains which were placed one set of halves on one side, the other on the other side. This was to represent what would happen to each party for not fulfilling the covenant.

"When the sun had set and it was dark, there appeared a smoking brazier and a flaming torch, which passed between those pieces. It was on that occasion that the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying: "To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the Great River (the Euphrates), the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites." "(Gn 15:17-21)

The smoking brazier (a container for fire) represented God. Only God walked through the remains. This indicates that God would take upon himself the punishment if the covenant was not fulfilled.

THE GENERAL FORM OF ANCIENT COVENANTS 

The old testament covenants had the following elements

1) Promises made if the covenant is fulfilled.

2) How to fulfill the covenant

3) What not to do and what would happen if you broke the covenant

4) The covenant is ratified (is agreed upon by some kind of ceremony) usually with a sacrifice.

THE COVENANT AT SINAI

God freed the Israelites from Egypt. While they were in the desert God offered to make a covenant with them, for him to be their God and for them to be his people.

The  Covenant God made with the Israelites at Sinai was an agreement for God to be their God and the people to become God's people. Around that time, there were many gods, but of course these were all false. There is only one God. And God wanted to gradually reveal himself to his people. He chose a covenant to signify and consolidate his relationship with his people, Israel. Israel was to become an example to all the peoples of the world of God's love.

"Therefore, if you hearken to my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my special possession, dearer to me than all other people, though all the earth is mine.  You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation. " (Ex 19: 5-6)

The covenant promises that God will be their God by caring for them and giving them the promised Land if they obey the covenant. If they do not obey, they will loose the care of God and the promised Land. Read Deuteronomy 10:8-9, 13-14. and then Deut 28:15-19. The requirements for fulfilling the covenant is called the Law or Torah in Hebrew. The Torah is the first five books of the Bible, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. These books contain 613 'laws' or precepts that the Jew should follow. The first ten are quite familiar to us as the ten commandments and are the most important. The rest of the 613 precepts covers many things such as how to deal with leprosy, sickness, stealing, and many other issues within a community. The Jewish person loves the law. The longest psalm is in praise of the law. Please read psalm 119, this will give you an insight into the ancient Israelite mind.

Why did they love the law so much? For people of the ancient world, they believed that if they pleased the  gods, then the gods would take care of them. If they didn't then disaster would happen. That is how they explained suffering. If there was a drought then it was because they didn't do the right thing by their gods. We can think like that sometimes as well. "Don't do that, God would strike you with lightning!" or "What have I ever done to deserve this?" But Jesus teaches us that God the Father loves everyone and cares for everyone. Sin itself has negative effects. But God does not seek revenge, but infact gave us Jesus so we can be saved.

But let us get back to the covenant. For someone in the ancient world, if things are going well it is because the person is pleasing the gods or if not, then they have done something wrong. Of course it is more complicated than that. Which god is to be followed? Which one is more powerful? How do you please the gods? When your life depends on getting this relationship right it becomes something very important. It also becomes a joy to know you are on the right path, and this is what makes the Law such a great joy.

There is so much to be explored about the Law. For our purposes this week, we will focus on the Jewish understanding. I am now going to simplify the Law down which does not do credit to it's richness, but will give an insight into some of it's aspects. But please remember it is an oversimplification and therefore does an injustice to some aspects.

The Law can be oversimplified into determining good from bad. Let's make a table about these points.

GOOD	BAD
Healthy	unhealthy
rich	poor
God	Evil
Holy	unholy
blessed	curse
most meats	pork
'in'	'out'
ritually clean	ritually unclean
To follow the Law	To break the Law
life	death

In this system of life, to have God's favour is to follow the law, which should lead to health, richness, happiness, etc. If you don't then you end up sick, poor etc. This is a simplified format. Some everyday things mean you become on the outer, or unclean, such as touching blood. To become clean again, you must perform some kind of cleansing ritual. By sinning, you end up on the outer. You must perform the ritual to become 'clean' again and thus acceptable. Some sins are so bad that they are punishable by death. Pork was a meat that could easily go off, so one explanation is that it was counted as unclean because people died from eating it.
This system of life is still around today, but in a different form. Society has it's politically correct ways, and if you break them, you are on the outer. Such things as big brother is all about who is going to get kicked out. Who is in and who is out.

For the Pharisees this system of in and out was paramount. Jesus came along to turn it upside down. Jesus did not come to do away with the Law, but to fulfil it. To perfect it. Jesus teaches the way of the heart. By living the law of love, we are able to fulfil the ten commandments. Jesus even teaches that all foods can be eaten, thus 'changing' the some of the laws. Jesus is the fulfillment of the law. Through Jesus we truelly learn what God requires and are able to actually do it.

Because Jesus was changing people's understanding of the law, the Pharisees who saw themselves as 'better' than others because they kept the law could not handle Jesus 'changing' the rules on them. So they thought Jesus was breaking the law and therefore was not on God's side. They were more concerned about rules than love. Love still has clear rules. There are still laws to be followed. But through the Holy Spirit and Love.

We are now ready to see the challenges Jesus has with the Jews.

ISRAEL NEVER ABANDONED

Firstly let me make this point very clear:

God has never abandoned Israel nor ever rejected her. He is always faithful, because that is who God is - faithfulness and love.

We have learnt of God's call to bring about Israel and then making a covenant with her. This He will always honor.

Jesus is a Jew and always will be. All the apostles were Jews.

To understand this in a deeper way, let us reflect on the Catechism:
"

The relationship of the Church with the Jewish People. When she delves into her own mystery, the Church, the People of God in the New Covenant, discovers her link with the Jewish People,³²⁶ "the first to hear the Word of God."³²⁷ The Jewish faith, unlike other non-Christian religions, is already a response to God's revelation in the Old Covenant. To the Jews "belong the sonship, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ",³²⁸ "for the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable."³²⁹  " (CCC 839)

What do you think is the Christian link with the Jewish people?

When do you think the Jewish people first heard the Word of God? Abraham is recognised as the father of the Jewish people. He was called by God to leave his homeland and to go to the promised land. It is called the promised land, because it was promised to Abraham. His son is Issac. Issac is the father of Jacob. Jacob had 12 sons. These 12 sons represent the 12 tribes of Israel. The tribes of Israel get their names from these sons. These tribes eventually settle in different parts of Israel and have their own territory. These 12 men represent the foundation of the Israelite nation.

God becomes the 'Father' of this nation through his care of it - so the nation is the 'son' of God. They are covenanted with God and receive the law. They worship God. All of this is in preparation for Jesus who is a Jew. Jesus belongs to the Jews and to Christians. God is not reneg on his promises, all of this is irrevocable.

In a special way, every Jew is our brother and sister. If we reject any Jew, we actually reject the root of our own Christianity, and in some way reject our own family.

To understand ourselves, we need to understand the Jews and their traditions. John's gospel particularly explores the mystery of Christ by exploring the Jewish feasts and understandings. Mark's gospel starts with quoting the Old Testament. This sheds light upon Jesus. As we journey through Mark's gospel, having an understanding of the Jewish background to the gospel, will help us deepen in the mystery of Christ and his love.

JESUS THE FULFILLMENT OF THE OLD COVENANT

"All the Old Covenant prefigurations find their fulfillment in Christ Jesus." (CCC 1223)  He begins his public life after having himself baptized by St. John the Baptist in the Jordan. After his resurrection Christ gives this mission to his apostles: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."

We have seen how Jesus tries to win over the Pharisees and reveal the deeper truth of their traditions. Jesus challenged the Jews with a fundamental understanding of the Sabbath - is the sabbath made for man, or man for the sabbath? Clearly Jesus indicates that the Sabbath is made for man and rejects blind legalism. This leads to his rejection by the Jewish leaders of his time. There are some important points here.

Did Jesus fail?

Jesus failed to persuade the Jewish leaders. Jesus can't change people's will - nor can we. Jesus always offers, proposes - so should we.

Day 1  Summary of healings and exorcisms Mk: 3:7-12

Why do you think Jesus ordered the evil spirits to not make him known?

This is actually an important point since some say this was added to the gospel. It is called the 'Messianic secret' and there are many interpretations of it. Let us first realise we are talking about the actions of God. There may not be a single reason, but many reasons. Scripture will never be exhausted of all the possible meanings. Scripture is always new and fresh everytime we read it. Be open as you read to fresh ideas and insights. To God's love. The special reflections that you receive are important and gently lead us on God's path.

There are some common suggestions for Jesus actions. One is humility. Jesus does not big note himself. The other is to seek to win over the Pharisees by being humble. Great people have a 'wall' of fame that separates them from the ordinary people. Often famous people can be lonely, because people love them for their fame, rather than for themself. Jesus wants to build real relationships with the Pharisees, just as he seeks to build real relationships with us.

Day 2  Institution of the Twelve The Choice of the Twelve Mk 3:13-19

What is represented by '12'?

Jesus has been rejected by the Pharisees and Jewish leaders who seek to destroy him. This does not stop him, but propells him to action and establish something incredible. Jesus is laying the foundation of a new institution. This is the start of the Church, the new Israel. When we read the gospels, we discover elements that are similar to the OT, such as the 12 tribes and the 12 apostles. Can you think of other similarities?

Some say, Jesus was anti-institution. Very clearly this is not the case. Jesus establishes a new institution and he nurtures it as we will see. Jesus has no problem with authority, nor of establishing authority, because it is always to be an authority of love and service.

Day 3  Institution of the Twelve The Choice of the Twelve Mk 3:13-19

Jesus named James and John, 'the sons of thunder'. We can have nicknames for our friends - so does Jesus. He very clearly had fun with his men, including establishing nicknames for them.

Judas is also named as the traitor. Do you think Jesus knew Judas would betray him?

It is good to reflect and discuss this point, because we deepen in our understanding of Jesus divinity and humanity.

Jesus was a master of organisational structure and development. By now he had many disciples and he now chooses 12 to be special leaders. He is setting up a chain of command, leaders, and limits on those who he will not see as much. He will concentrate his efforts on these 12 men. He makes the dilecisions. He developed special friendships with these men and not so much others. He knew his limits.
How do you lead others? What is your style of leadership?


Day 4   Christ and Beelzebub Mk 3:20-27
"a kingdom divided against itself will not stand" Can you think of organisations that fell apart because it was divided against itself?

One of the 'proofs' of the Catholic Church being the true Church is that after 2000 years, it is still standing even though at many times it was divided against itself. It has the longest line of leadership for any institution in the world today.

With the establishment of the 12, Jesus is also making a statement about the Church to be united. We should all seek to encourage others and speak well of everyone.

Day 5  "Eternal Sin" Mk 3:28-30

What do you think a sin against the Holy Spirit is?

The Catechism states the answer clearly:

""Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven."¹³⁶ There are no limits to the mercy of God, but anyone who deliberately refuses to accept his mercy by repenting, rejects the forgiveness of his sins and the salvation offered by the Holy Spirit.¹³⁷ Such hardness of heart can lead to final impenitence and eternal loss. " (CCC 1864)

Day 6  The Friends of Jesus Mk 3:31-35

Who is Jesus' brothers, sisters and mothers?

One of the joys of following Jesus is the new friendships, of new 'brothers', 'sisters' and 'mothers'. As we do God's will we develop new relationships. These are eternal relationships, eternal friendships.

Day 7 The Friends of Jesus Mk 3:31-35

Do you think Jesus was rejecting his own mother?

Who besides Jesus does the Father's will perfectly? Mary - she is the handmaiden of the Lord. She has not sinned. She perfectly performs God's will. What Jesus is doing is highlighting that doing God's will is even more important than blood relationships. Jesus' relationship with Mary is taken to a higher order since it is based on doing God's love. Following God is more important than anything, even family. But God calls us to love our family. Through loving God, we are better able to love our family.

This work is licensed by Robert Zaar under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.