Consider This: Mark 2:6-8
Sometimes it is good to speak your mind. Some things need to be said. Psychologists often say – depending on the circumstance, of course – that it is better to get things out then keep them bottled up and festering inside. When we put thoughts into words we either hear how crazy they sound or become emboldened in their legitimacy. When we speak our mind, we give the community around us an opportunity to encourage or correct us.
Today’s verses are all about the interaction between the scribes and Jesus. As it happens, there are other teachers of God’s Law in the midst. Before going off on them, however, understand the common nature of this practice. It would not be wrong for a rabbi to listen to other rabbis teach. After all, they might say something helpful to the other rabbi!
These scribes aren’t necessarily here to entrap Jesus. In fact, it would seem odd if they were. This is still very much the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. He hasn’t taught much; He’s only performed a few miracles that got the crowd’s attention. The scribes are here on a fact-finding mission to understand Jesus, not on a mission of condemnation.
The Greek bears this out as well. The verb used to describe the action of the scribes is dialogizomai, which is a simple word that means to ponder or consider. They aren’t questioning Jesus. They certainly aren’t condemning Jesus. They are considering what Jesus is doing.
Based on the rest of the Gospel story, it is easy to read confrontational intent into the actions of the scribes. Yet, the confrontation has not started. Like all people, these scribes are curious. They are considering if Jesus is a teacher of the truth, if He is inexperienced and needs more time before being taken seriously, or if He is a spiritual threat to the Hebrew community.
Jesus’ response is on point. Read Jesus’ response carefully. Jesus asks them why they are pondering in their heart. Jesus’ critique isn’t that they are trying to figure Him out, for that would only be natural and right! Jesus’ critique is that they are keeping it in their hearts. They could be engaging Jesus in dialogue. They could be talking with each other and trying to get at the truth. They could be leaning on the greater wisdom of the community to find truth, but they are not.
Instead, they are pondering Jesus alone in their hearts and allowing doubt to linger. By not talking out loud, they are refraining from giving Jesus an opportunity to dialogue and teach further! There is so much goodness that comes from learning through discourse; these scribes are missing it all by keeping their pondering in their hearts. Jesus wants them to bring their thoughts out into the community so that their thoughts and questions take root, find answers, and become a benefit to the entire gathered population.
Sometimes it is good to speak your mind.
