ACC ~ Mark 2 v23 - 28

OVERVIEW:

The God-man had a body and a soul like ours. As it is unintelligible to imagine him eating without a body, so it is impossible to think of him hungering without a soul (AUGUSTINE). As the Lord of the sabbath is truly God, so he is truly human. As Son of David so he is the Lord of David. Belonging to the children of Abraham, yet before Abraham he was (NOVATIAN).

2:25 | What David Did When He Was Hungry

THE HUNGER OF JESUS

AUGUSTINE: It is foolish to believe the Evangelist’s account that he ate and not to believe that he was really hungry. Yet it does not follow that everyone who eats is hungry. For we read that even an angel ate, [1] but we do not read that he was hungry. Nor does it follow that everyone who is hungry eats. He may either restrain himself due to some obligation or lack food or the means to eat. … Now, just as the fact that Jesus ate food is unintelligible without a body, so the fact that he felt hunger is impossible without a soul. AGAINST THE APOLLINARIANS, QUESTION 80. [2]

[1] Gen 18:8.

[2] Cetedoc 0289, 80.103; FC 70:210-11*. The incarnate Lord had a body and a soul like ours, for he could hardly eat without a body, and he could hardly be hungry without a soul. Some heretical voices were denying that he had a body, others a soul.

2:28 | Lord of the Sabbath

THE SEVENTH DAY

UNKNOWN GREEK AUTHOR: Now every week has seven days. Six of these God has given to us for work, and one for prayer, rest, and making reparation for our sins, so that on the Lord’s Day we may atone to God for any sins we have committed on the other six days. Therefore, arrive early at the church of God; draw near to the Lord and confess your sins to him, repenting in prayer and with a contrite heart. Attend the holy and divine liturgy; finish your prayer and do not leave before the dismissal. Contemplate your master as he is broken and distributed, yet not consumed. If you have a clear conscience, go forward and partake of the body and blood of the Lord. SERMON 6, 1-2. [1]

[1] HE BEGINNING OF THE GOSPEL | MARK 1:1-5

SON OF DAVID, DAVID’S LORD

NOVATIAN: In the same manner that he, according to his humanity, is like Abraham, [1] even so, according to his divinity, he is before Abraham. [2] As he is, according to his humanity, the Son of David, [3] so is he also, as God, the Lord of David. [4] As he is, according to his humanity, born under the law, [5] so is he as God, the Lord of the sabbath. [6] THE TRINITY 11. [7]

[1] Mt 1:1.

[2] Jn 8:58.

[3] Mt 20:31; 22:42.

[4] Mt 22:43-45.

[5] Gal 4:4.

[6] Mt 12:8; Mk 2:28; Lk 6:5.

[7] Cetedoc 0071, 11.53; FC 67:48-49**. As Lord of the sabbath he is truly God, as truly human he was born under the law, paradoxically of Abraham yet before Abraham, both Son of David and Lord of David.