Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT) — 17 For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

Four stories from Mark 2, 3

1. Crippled man gets healed and forgiven

• Religion doesn’t like unmerited forgiveness.
  • They’ve worked so hard at their own righteousness that they can’t bear to see someone get it so easily.
  • Religion wants it to be hard to be right with God.

2. Jesus has dinner with the local scoundrels

• Religion wants to create a caste system.

Mark 2:17 (NLT) — 17 When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

Hosea 6:6 (NLT) — 6 I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.

3. Jesus’ disciples break the traditions

• Religion forgets the purpose of God’s laws.
• Religion cleans the outside and ignores the inside.
• Religion is focused on what you do, while righteousness is based on who you know.

4. Jesus heals a withered hand

• Religion quickly becomes the police force.
• Religion has no compassion.