Category: Uncategorized

Mark 12:43
This illustrates for us how God thinks of value. We see value in dollars and cents, but God looks at the big picture. A faithful Christian will give more to the work of the Lord in his or her lifetime than two or three millionaires will give to charity. And how so? By percentage. The millionaires will donate many thousands, and the Christian a paltry sum in comparison, but by percentage, the millionaires will fall short of the humble Christian giving to the Lord.

Heavenly Father, remind us how important our giving is, not that we might be puffed up, but that we might not lose heart. We want to honor you with our increase. You deserve all the glory, and all that we have. Thank you for all of your wonderful blessings! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

June 21-26

Mark 12:42
   The coin this woman dropped in would have been the smallest possible unit of money that could be possessed. It was worth precious little, and there being two meant little more. A working man could easily make this amount in the time it took for this woman to come by and give her gift. It perfectly illustrates the old idea of ‘next to nothing’ due to its small size.
    However, even before we get to Jesus’s great commendation of this gift, we can see that this was a beautiful thing that this woman did. This was likely a freewill offering, and she gave what she could. Indeed, many in her state would likely have given only one coin, and kept the other.

Heavenly Father, teach us to be generous, not greedy. You have given us so much, yet we often forget that. All praise is yours, for you are the only one who truly has it all! You can take care of us no matter what. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 12:41
  This was the temple treasury. People could cast freewill offerings in here. There was no requirement, but it was seen as appropriate to have an offering for sure. The rich were able, of course, to give hefty amount out of their great store.

Heavenly Father, help us in our giving! We must be willing to give, not compelled by a desire to be seen. Thank you for giving us so much! Our giving is only a result of yours. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 12:40
The scribes had evidently worked out a system by which they could ‘care’ for widows. However, their purpose in this was to take possession of and profit from the widows’ property. Also, though praying for a long time is not wrong, it is often done pretentiously, especially in public.

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us so much that you sent your Son to die for us. Your motivations are always good. You are pure and just. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 12:39
   Of course, these men would have veiled their desire for the grandiose. Jesus and his disciples held their last supper in an upper room. But Jesus here has ‘the best seats’ in mind. The scribes wanted to always be seen and applauded.

Heavenly Father, you have taught us that humility and service are the best path. Though we don’t understand sometimes, if we are patient, we see your great wisdom and blessing. Thank you for giving us the truth of your Word. You are so awesome! You have made all things and yet you have been patient with us. You have not rushed to judgement. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 12:38
   I have often thought that this is one of the most interesting ways to word something in all of the Bible. His doctrine, embodies all that Christianity really is. Jesus’s doctrine was not inconsistent with the Old Testament, but it was not with the Jewish leaders were teaching. Indeed, sadly enough, it is very often not what we are teaching today. Jesus’s doctrine has a great emphasis on how we treat others, and how we respond to God’s revelation. We tend to emphasise one or the other. We need a better balance.

Heavenly Father, may we always strive to be like Christ! He is the True and Just One. He can lead us to all that we must be for you. You have blessed us,and let us know your truth. Thank you so much! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 12:37
   I have found that interrogatives in the Greek are somewhat difficult to translate. We generally would not ask ‘whence’ in connection with a question of this nature. Even in older English the ‘whence’ cannot convey all that seems to be meant here. What Jesus is asking is how it is possible for the Messiah to be the son and Lord of David at the same time. He is in no way denying the humanity of Christ, but is instead highlighting the human/divine nature of the Christ.

Heavenly Father, you understand so many things. Nothing is inscrutable to you. Everything makes perfect sense to you. Thank you for imparting your wisdom to us. We need understanding as we cope with our limited existence under the burden of sin. We look forward to that day when we will escape not only spiritually, but physically, from sin. To have it gone will be such a relief! You are so good to us. We praise you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 12:36
   Jesus here points out the distinction between God the Father and God the Son. He is highlighting how David referred to the second person of the Trinity. He did not call him son, but Lord. Jesus was not trying to deny the fact of his Davidic lineage. He was instead helping his hearers understand that the Christ had to be much more than just the son of David.

Heavenly Father, thank you for Christ! We can never praise you enough for him. His role in our lives is of the utmost importance. Please, let us praise him all of our lives. We give him control of our hearts and minds. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 12:35
   It seems it was more rare to find Jesus asking a question without being asked something first. But, when he did, the questions always baffled the experts of the law. In this case, he is trying to get them to think about their claims. He gives them a difficult question that drives them towards a literal interpretation of the Scriptures. He is looking for more that might be like the scribe that he was just talking to. He was planting seeds in their minds.

Heavenly Father, it is amazing to see how many people will try to twist your Word. But, really, it is best for us to be faithful in our understanding of your book. Thank you for your merciful kindness! You are truly great and mighty. I sit in awe as I think of the works of your hands, yet you are even greater than the whole sum of your creations. I praise you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.