Let me begin by saying thank you for loving Jesus enough to live for Him and desire to learn more about Him. It is amazing, throughout all of history, people have been taught about Jesus coming to dwell in our world. In Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel.” This scripture prophesies Jesus’ coming in the flesh and having enemies. It speaks of “enmity” between the serpent (representing evil) and the woman’s offspring (Jesus) predicting a struggle and eventual victory for the Messiah. This verse is a foreshadowing of Jesus’ birth, His victory over sin and death, and His ultimate triumph over Satan.
Last Sunday we set the table to get ready for the main meal to come in the next several weeks. We saw how God prepared the nation of Israel to receive her spiritual king, and we learned the Jewish rulers rejected Jesus and killed Him. This was all predicted and carried out while Jesus was here in the flesh. The main point of the parable in Mark 12:1- 12, known as the Parable of the Wicked Tenants, was to convict the Jewish rulers of their evil agenda. This passage ended by stating they were aware this parable was concerning them, and because of fear of the people they retreated, but did not give up. The passage did, however, set us up for what comes next.
The opposition of these so-called leaders was made evident. These individual sects of the Jewish community overestimated their worth and power and underestimated Jesus’ ability to teach them the TRUTH they so crucially needed in order to lead them to a repentance worthy of God’s love. This week we will explore the backgrounds of each of these groups and see why they asked Jesus the questions they did. Jesus is masterful in knowing everything, about everyone, and is able to judge even the intention of the heart.
If you would like to read and study Mark 12:13-27, you will see Jesus challenged by the Pharisees and Herodians with a political trap and the Sadducees with a theological trap. Their goal was to discredit Jesus and turn His crowd of followers against Him.
This Sunday let us assemble and learn to balance our responsibilities to both earthly authorities and to God, and to not let worldly concerns overshadow our spiritual priorities. Hopefully we can all come together to offer up worship to God because He has sent us such a wonderful Savior. Jesus is His name.
In Christ,
Steve
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