Questions and Answers
Mark 12:28-44
- Jesus is demonstrated in this book as a “servant”
- Jesus’ teachings, while difficult for some to deal with, are always timely
-- God always allows us to hear from Him at just the right time
- This morning we have two things happening which we need to examine
-- The first is an honest question and dialogue with Jesus
-- The second, is as Mark records it, the END of Jesus’ public ministry
- Continuing on from the previous story, we see the crowd continuing to swell
-- In addition, they are now willing to ask Jesus honest questions and hear Him
- IMP: To the Christian today, it shows us that even in the midst of interrogation … there is still a chance for others to hear the Gospel and be changed!
- Read Mark 12:28-34
∆ Point 1 – The Important Question (28-34)
- Most would say that this man was a representative of Pharisees to ask (v28)
-- After hearing Jesus dismantle the Sadducees teaching, he wants to know more
-- What is critical here is the interaction Jesus has willingly with people
- APP: Even if you don’t agree with someone, you can still talk to them
-- It’s a great sign of ministering and communicating with others
-- Lesson: Don’t close yourself off to listen and then communicate what you know
- Jesus quotes for this man from Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (OT Commandment)
-- This is what God says about the relationship between us and Him (v29-31)
-- It demonstrates how we should feel about Him and live our lives daily
- Even though the scribe only asked for greatest, Jesus answers with BOTH
-- Again, Jesus quotes from the OT in Leviticus 19:18, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”
- It is in the understanding of God’s word that is critical for us here
-- In Luke 10:29 we see this story further; with parable “Good Samaritan”
-- Jesus teaches us that we are to LOVE our neighbor; even the enemies
-- APP AGAIN: Society is NOT the enemy of the church; it’s mission field
- The scribe, impressed by Jesus’ answer, replies back to Him in confirmation
-- It is in this that reveals his true heart and his relationship with God (v32-33)
- However, what the scribe does is really break it down for everyone to hear
-- It is more important to love the Lord as there is none other than Him
-- AND, all of our religious sacrifices & deeds are worth less than loving neighbor
-- APP: In v33 there is a clear commitment that God is everything, always
- So, in turn, Jesus commends the Scribe for his understanding
-- This is the only place in Mark where you will see Jesus commend a Scribe
-- Remember, they are the “keepers of the law”; the writers/translators
-- And for this man to reply, Jesus confirms his words by seeing into his heart
- In v34, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God” is an encouragement
-- It is Jesus saying, “Keep going, you are on the right road to see God …”
- After this encounter, there were no more trick questions of attempts to trap Jesus
-- It’s not that they feared Jesus, but they knew He knew the Word of God
-- They realized that His answers were spot on, and founded in Scripture
- APP: Great lesson for us: If the answer is IN scripture, it is from God
-- If it comes from man (I think, I feel) and not backed by Scripture is sin
- TRANS: Christians should know the difference; this Scribe knew it as well
- Read Mark 12:35-37
∆ Point 2 – The Real Question (35-37)
- Every teacher of the Law taught that the Messiah would come from line of David
-- This is OT fact and a promise that they consistently stood on
- Jesus is trying to get crowd to see deeper than just the information on paper (v35)
-- If you will, He is asking them to connect the dots from lesson to reality
-- The Messiah was surely more than just the physical seed of David
-- And He is CERTAINLY more than just Earthly conqueror or miracle worker
- Why is this important to understand? B/C Jesus is everything we need!
-- Jesus quotes for them from Psalm 110:1; a messianic psalm of promise
- For a Jewish person, David’s words are the highest authority on Earth for them
-- So how is it possible for David to refer to someone ELSE as “my Lord”? (v36)
- David recognized that there IS an authority that is higher than his own
-- He knew his authority was limited to only an earthly power given by God
-- However, the sovereignty of the Messiah would come from His lineage
- David is the “son” in this for one reason: B/C God is supreme and over him
-- Even though he was a king, he knew his kingdom was puny compared to God
-- His teaching on this confirms that one is coming later with more power than him
- This pleases the crowd, with delight and I’m certain, lots of head nodding
-- Why? Because Jesus just answered the MOST important question and uses David’s teaching, highest to a Jew, to do so in confirming the promise of a Messiah
- TRANS: So, let’s talk a bit about true spirituality for Christ followers
- Read Mark 12:38-40
∆ Point 3 – True Spirituality (38-44)
- IMP: What Jesus does is compare true spirituality with legalism’s trappings
-- Legalism says you must do this to be holy …
-- Spirituality says obey God and love Him to be holy …
- Beware, those who elevate themselves to highest places over you
-- APP: the Pharisees loved to be greeted and recognized wherever they are
-- They love the adoration of humans; it feeds their egos; and it is SINFUL
- IMP: Jesus says: Watch out for these people who exalt themselves! (v38)
-- They even get to sit in the places of honor (think big throne chairs)
-- They are all about themselves, and are easily recognizable as self-absorbed
- And what do they do? (v40) They devour from the poor and ramble in prayer
-- What should spur our memory here is something we’ve seen before
-- Matthew 6:7, “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.”
-- Don’t ramble on just to be heard! Why? God is not impressed!!
-- APP: Brings to mind preachers who toss in “umm / uhhh” every two words …
- Jesus tells us to clearly NOT be like them – because they will be punished
-- Now, here is something we really want to take note of and check ourselves
-- These people know what the Law says, and still elevate themselves over others
-- Jesus says they are NOT pleasing to God, and will be punished MOST severely
- In contrast, Jesus gives us an example of how we SHOULD be acting
∆ CHANGE SLIDE
- Read Mark 12:41-44
- Jesus shows us the other side of the coin; a widow who Pharisees preyed on
-- He didn’t condemn those who gave large amounts (this is important for all)
-- IMP: However, HE CELEBRATED THOSE WHO GAVE ALL THEY HAD!
- Without bringing attention to her … Jesus elevates here for us to see
-- God does not look on the amount, but on the heart of the one who gives
-- Because she gave all she had, she now had to FULLY trust God for her need
- IMP: It is a HUGE contrast for us to see what devotion to God looks like
-- God doesn’t want your money, He wants your heart and your life
-- And from that, we will trust Him to provide all that we would ever need
-- This is the end of Jesus’ public ministry …
∆ Big Ideas
- God’s love commands us to love our neighbors, EVEN the outcasts!
- God sees our actions even when others do not (beware the Pharisees)
- Giving sacrificially of our lives is better than giving with unwilling spirit
- Pray
