Mark 12:35-44 (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is Mark 12:35-44. With an open mind and a humble heart, read this passage and see what sticks out to you in this passage. Is there a verse, a phrase, or a lesson you think the Holy Spirit may be highlighting for you in this passage? After you’ve thought about the passage yourself a bit, read the GAME sharing below. Let’s go!
Mark 12:35-37 (NIV)
35 While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, “How is it that the teachers of the law say that the Christ is the son of David?
36 David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”‘
37 David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?” The large crowd listened to him with delight.
On verses 35-37: The Pharisees, the Herodians, the Sadducees and the teachers of the law all had their turns asking Jesus tough questions. Jesus answered every one of their questions with amazing wisdom and poise. Now it was Jesus’ turn to ask a question. Unlike his critics whose questions were traps to make Jesus look bad, Jesus asks his question to reveal a powerful truth about Himself. Jesus takes a familiar teaching that his listeners took for granted – the idea that the Christ (Messiah) is the “son of David”, i.e. a descendant of David. Jesus questions how the Messiah can be the son of David when David himself in Psalm 110 describes this Messiah as “my Lord” (v36). Doesn’t “my Lord” suggest someone much more senior and more powerful than David?
The answer is this: David himself recognized that the Messiah would not only succeed him but precede him. That is, the Holy Spirit had revealed to David that the Messiah who would come from his ancestral line would be both human and divine. In this way, the Messiah would be both David’s son and David’s Lord, both David’s king and David’s heir. And that is what Jesus is. Humanly speaking Jesus is the legal descendant of King David, but as the eternal Son of God, Jesus is also David’s lord who existed long before David was born.
What can we learn from this?
– The Old Testament anticipated a Messiah who is both human and divine, both the Son of David and the Son of God. Jesus is that Messiah.
– If you want to get the most out of Scripture, like Jesus, ask questions about what you’re reading and hearing. Don’t take anything for granted. This kind of attitude can lead you to a deeper understanding of Scripture and who God is. The enemy of faith is not questions. The enemy of faith is laziness and unbelief.
Mark 12:38-40 (NIV)
38 As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces,
39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.
40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.”
On verses 38-40: Jesus warned his disciples about becoming like the teachers of the law who were obsessed with their own fame, honour, glory and power, even while claiming to worship and serve God. What does Jesus mean in verse 40 by “devour widows’ houses”? Probably that these teachers of the law would take advantage of the most vulnerable in society such as widows. Jesus warns that God will hold such people accountable. It’s not about our fame, our honour or our name. It’s about Jesus’ fame, honour and name.
Mark 12:41-44 (NIV)
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.
42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.
44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything–all she had to live on.”
On verses 41-44: If your heart is for God, it will be reflected in your giving because, as Jesus says, where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Remember that to God, what matters is not so much the amount you give, but the proportion. How much of your heart does God have?
You can give millions of dollars, but if those millions represent only a tiny percentage of what you have, in God’s eyes that’s less than the person who gives much less in amount but much more in proportion. Since God wants your whole heart, like the widow that Jesus pointed to, let’s surrender our whole selves to Him, everything we are and everything we have.
Father, I surrender everything I am and have to You. I am Yours. Do with me as You wish. My trust is in You. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
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