Category: Uncategorized

Mark 12:15
  They use a follow-up question much like Jesus had done on occasion. In their case, however, it was just in keeping with a Jewish way of asking questions, and does not seem to add to the thought. The essence was, do we pay tax or not?
  Though on the surface this seemed like a real quandary, to us now it seems very easy to solve. Ah, but this is only because we know the teachings of Christ. Even today there are those who fail to understand his teaching about taxes, as clear as it is. It is hard for people to accept that we must support ungodly governments. Yet, they are the ministers of God.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your tremendous love for us. You understand our difficulties with grasping certain concepts. You can always help us if we will but turn to you for truth. Ungodliness may disgust us, but we must remember that only you can make that disgusting stuff into something beautiful. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 12:14
   This is one of the most dastardly set-ups in history. Yet, it was easy for Jesus to deal with. And, why? Because he didn’t give in to temptation. He didn’t let the wiles of the devil get him caught. He knew these men would try to catch him, and he was always ready.
   The attempt to set Christ up was well thought out, but ineffective. They were right to say that Jesus was no respecter of persons. Jesus would not think more of the Roman authorities, nor would he think more of any other man. This lack of fear seemed to be a gullibility on his part. But, nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus was not gullible, but lacked fear because he had a proper view of reality. He saw that God is over all, even Caesar.

Heavenly Father, I cannot tell you enough how wonderful you are. Your praise is a constant practice for my heart. Ever will I attempt to know you and honor you as I should. Time itself cannot tell how I will understand you in that glorious day in the future. We will then see you as you are. I’m looking forward to it! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 12:13
Though we are uncertain of the identity of the Herodians, it seems likely that they were a Jewish sect much like the Pharisees or Sadducees. Normally, these groups would probably not get along well. But Jesus was a mutual enemy. It was probably hoped that the Herodians would be able to catch him when others had failed.

Heavenly Father, your protection is wonderful. Even when it seems like everything is against us, you are working for our good. We must not forget that you are in control, and that evil has a time limit. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 12:12
   Fear is the name of the game. Without a consideration of God, and the things of God, fear is all there is for those who want power in this world. Power must be attained and kept somehow. A whole host of semi-legal politicking and out of sight shenanigans take place all the time in this world system.
   Jesus was not afraid of these men, and that is part of what made him so scary. They couldn’t find his weak spot. They couldn’t control him.

Heavenly Father, thank you for protecting us from this world. There are so many people out there that would like to see Christians go away. But, our rule is love, so thank you for helping us to communicate that. You teach us the better way, the way without fear. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 12:11
   Jesus is still quoting here. This ends his parable because this is the punchline, so to speak. It is his way to drive home his identity to these religious but ignorant men.
   The idea of it being ‘marvelous’ has a dual meaning. It describes the wonder that we feel as we ponder God’s amazing plan. But, it also describes the obnoxious incredulity of the Jewish elite.

Heavenly Father, thank you for showing us your wondrous plan. The history of this world shows your great wisdom in all things. You do all things well, and you have planned it all out perfectly. Thank you for the faithfulness we see everywhere in your ways. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 12:10
   Jesus is quoting Psalm 118:22 here. Of course the Jewish religious aristocracy had read this verse. But their understanding of it would have been far from what Jesus is now intimating. Time and again these men heard Jesus using the Scriptures against them accurately. And time and time again this caused their great consternation. They really didn’t like not having the corner market on the Scriptures.
   This was a uniqueness of Christ. There had been others claiming to be the Messiah. But, others did not have the mastery of the Word that Jesus displayed from the beginning. His consistency, perception, practicality, discipline, and freshness were too much for them. It didn’t just make him a Bible teacher, it made him The Bible Teacher.

Heavenly Father, I praise you today for your teaching. Your Word is not an inconsistent smattering of sagacious sayings, or a chaining together of unrelated stories and histories. It is a cohesive treatise that calls one to action on the basis of its precepts. Thank you for making it available. I learn to love it more all of the time. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Beginning tomorrow I will be taking a one week break from posting. The Lord willing I will resume next Tuesday.

Mark 12:9
The logical choice. The offending husbandmen are to be punished. However, the key to note here is that though this would happen to the nation as a whole at that time period, this did not necessarily apply to individual persons. Many who were part of the plot to destroy Christ were later saved.

Heavenly Father, thank you for being so good to us! You are merciful if we will but turn to you for that mercy. You show us your truth and make it available to us. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 12:8
   When we think of what God has done for us by sending his Son, it is difficult to understand why he would go through with it. He is so great, and so much bigger than any of us. Nothing could make him do anything. Nobody could force him to action. So, he chose to do it this way. Why?
   Well, being wise and good, God knows that the best victory is the clearest one. Doing it this way, it is very clear that God has been more than extremely gracious. He is absolutely the hero. There is no other explanation. And, this is the way he wants it.

Heavenly Father, we know that you are good. When we think back on how you have blessed our lives, we realize that you always do what is best. Our mothers were just the people we needed. You bless us through these precious people that you put in our lives. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 12:7
   This is a very revealing verse. It is upon this and other Scriptures that many scholars base the assumption that the powers of the world did not fully understand the plan of salvation. It really seems that the leaders in Jerusalem thought they could destroy Jesus and make him go away. It seems that the powers of darkness were of the same opinion.
   It is important to note that getting one’s theology from a parable can be dangerous. As in this case, we need other sources to corroborate the facts. And it really seems that the idea of destroying the heir is consistent with reality. The devil surely knew that Jesus was special. But, just as his minions, he was not completely sure what the plan was.

Heavenly Father, your plans may not always be plain to us, but they are always wonderful. We can rest confident that your choices regarding what you reveal are infinitely wise. We praise you for your knowledge and faithfulness. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.