Opposites attract!  The maxim is undeniably true in electromagnetism.   But not reliably so for relationships.  Molecular bonds are strong and binding.  But in relationships, while opposites may attract, they often fail to form strong bonds.  Intimacy and like-mindedness are directly proportional.  The former will only increase as the latter increases. 

Opposites in personality and giftings may offer complementary strength.  But if the opposition strikes at core values the relationship is doomed. Some things can simply never coexist without destruction.   Some things just do not play nicely with others.  Despite the seeming tolerance of “COEXIST” bumper stickers, the reality is that some things are fundamentally irreconcilable. 

In fact, even that word, “coexist” unwittingly expresses the impossibility of what it aspires to promote.  To exist simultaneously, but not together.  To exist separately, tolerantly, but without any basis for exercising real love.   In 2001, following the 9/11 attacks, then Wal-Mart President, Don Soderquist addressed the Information Systems Division in which I worked.  He said something that struck a chord, “Tolerance is a passive form of hatred.”

Love does not simply “coexist.”  Love recognizes that some things are not compatible.  Love does not just go along to get along.   Love draws lines, love makes new demands, love does not settle for the status quo.  As Jesus comes forth proclaiming the Gospel and the Kingdom, he draws lines, makes demands and challenges the status quo.   The Gospel of Mark finishes only one chapter before Jesus’ acclaim turns to controversy.  Jesus forgives sins, receives sinners, and explodes every self-righteous religious view of his contemporaries with the long-promised grace of God. 

Often the Law and the Gospel are set in opposition.  And to be sure there are proper distinctions, but, as Paul reminds us in Romans 3:31, “Do we overthrow the Law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.”  No, it is not the Law and the Gospel which are in opposition, but it is the Gospel and “works righteousness” that are in opposition.   And they simply cannot coexist.  The confusion of Jesus’ contemporaries was that they could be justified by God through their own piety and qualified obedience to the law.  

While the Scribes and Pharisees felt the weight of God’s law, they failed to find it weighty enough.  They constructed a fence of human tradition they believed would allow them to keep it sufficiently to be declared righteous in God’s sight.  Yet Jesus would teach time and time again, “you have heard it said, but I tell you.”  And then he would take the law to the heart, where the scribal fence had gaping holes.  Jesus minced no words, calling proselytes of the scribes and the Pharisees, “twice as much a child of hell” as they were.

Grace and works-righteousness simply cannot coexist.   And the collision of these views accelerated Jesus’ controversy with the religious leaders to the point that very early they are plotting his death.   Why don’t you fast like us?   Why don’t you observe the Sabbath like us?  Why don’t you wash your hands like us?  They wanted Jesus’ teaching to conform to the shape of their dried out old wineskins.   But the Gospel explodes the old wineskins of self-righteous, works-righteousness.  And shreds the worn-out garments of grace-plus-works salvation.   The Gospel gives the joy of a wedding feast, not the sorrow of a fast. 

Join us as we examine Mark 2:18-22 and consider Jesus’ response to demands that the gospel coexist with somber, self-righteous religion.  We meet Sundays at 10:30 am on the square in Pottsville, Arkansas right next to historic Potts’ Inn for worship.  Get directions here or contact us for more info.  Or join us on Facebook Live @PottsvilleARP or YouTube.