Category: Uncategorized

Mark 12:6
Why send his son? Why think that he would be reverenced? The amazing love of God is indeed inscrutable to us.

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us so much! How can we ever praise you enough? Your mercy and grace are beyond our comprehension. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 12:5
The landowner continues to send for fruit. And, he continues to be denied. The fact that so many messengers are sent is meant to highlight the mercy of Almighty God. A less patient master would come immediately and do away with these worthless husbandmen.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your great mercy and grace! You loved us when we were unlovely. You have made us into what we are. You have given us a new position in Christ. Thank you, you deserve all the glory! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 12:4
   Why get into the specifics of some of the servants that were sent for the fruit? Isn’t this belaboring the point? No. This was done for effect. Scholars of the Scriptures should recognize the parallel to the ministry of the prophets and how they were treated. Parables work best when the hearer doesn’t fully ‘get’ it till the end. Then at the end they should ask themselves, why didn’t I get that sooner?

Heavenly Father, thank you for the truth we find in your Word. It is so applicable! We constantly find it to be accurate. The truths found there dawn on us as we read with illumination from the Holy Spirit. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 12:3
   These wicked men had come to enjoy the landowner’s vineyard. They thought of it as theirs. They had no respect for the rights of the owner.
   The Lord sent to Israel many prophets, who called for fruit in the lives of the Jews. But, often, they found none and they were abused by the people.

Heavenly Father, never can we ever know all that you have done. But what we do know is enough to help us understand why you ask for fruit in our lives. Like a vineyard, you have bestowed the investment in us. It is your work, we are the vines. We grow because of your care. Fruit in our life would only be the result of your activity, and you have every right to expect it. Thank you for being the faithful Lord of the vineyard. I love you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 12:2
   The landowner expects to partake of the fruits as per his agreement with the tenants. The Lord is always looking for fruit in our lives. This is for his glory, yes, but it is also a sign that we are doing well.

Heavenly Father, thank you for checking up on us. Fruit is worth the effort, and we want to bear much of it for your kingdom. Bless our efforts for your glory! You are the most wonderful Master! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 12:1
   A parable is like a proverb, an apothegm, or an adage. It is like a comparison, an illustration, or a figure. It can be like a type or metaphor. But, a parable does not strictly fit in any one of these categories. So, what is a parable? It is a story told to explain a spiritual truth. The story parallels reality and teaches by virtue of its simple commentary on a deeper idea.
   The landowner in this story parallels the work of the Lord with the Israelite nation. He plants a vineyard, the establishment of the nation. He sets a hedge, bringing them to their land. He digs for a winepress, setting up the law and their system of worship. And he builds a tower, giving them peace from their enemies. The whole thing is then let out to husbandmen, those who take over after Moses and Joshua.

Heavenly Father, you are so worthy of our praise for your great faithfulness. You have blessed your church and each of us through it. You don’t limit your blessings as we limit of favors. If you blessed only those who had our approval, you would have a small task. But you know us all and you love us. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 11:33
  This is simply one of the most hilarious verses in Scripture! It brings a smile to my face every time I read it. Unfortunately, we often miss the hilarity.
  Look very closely at what the leaders say to Jesus here. In the Greek we can see that they didn’t just say they couldn’t tell, but that they didn’t know. Really? They could play chess all day long, but tieing thier shoe laces was a different matter indeed! The truth was right before them, but they would have none of it.
  Jesus answers their ignorance by declining to answer their question. As he explained to Nicodemus on another occasion, ignorance of the basics will prevent more learning. He would not give more truth to those who failed to accept what he had given them.

Heavenly Father, help us to see that you have set your truth before us. We may have it and it is good for us. Help us to understand and know that you are ready to teach us if we are ready to learn. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 11:32
The same kind of fear that made them ask this question to begin with now kept them from answering. Jesus had them in a corner. Neither answer would bring any trouble to him. The people would likely not hurt the Jewish leaders, but unpopularity was their great fear.

Heavenly Father, how can we ever thank you enough for your faithfulness? You are always there, and you are always active. You deserve all the credit for what we do, for you make it all possible. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 11:31
There was nothing for it but to answer. Realizing their plan had backfired, they scrambled for a solution. They recognised right away the answer he was looking for, but would not consider it.

Heavenly Father, help us to be sensitive to your truth. We don’t want to miss out because we failed to accept the plain truths of your Word. Thank you for teaching us! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 11:30
Why the extra ‘answer me’ at the end? The question was clear enough. However, Jesus adds it on purpose. The religious leaders were pretty shrewd. He didn’t want them to ignore the question. We don’t know the exact situation, but these men may have tried to claim it was only a rhetorical question. This added phase decides against that.

Heavenly Father, thank you for being clear as you communicate to us. We tend to like to twist things. Thank you for the availability of your truth. We don’t have to rely on a religious elite. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.