Mark 12:35-44

Seeing Beyond the Surface

Bible Passage: Mark 12:35–44

Intro

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Summary:

In Mark 12:35-44, Jesus addresses the religious leaders' misunderstanding of Scripture and contrasts their showy practices with the humble offering of a widow who gives all she has.

This highlights the idea that outward appearances do not equate to true devotion to God; rather, true worship and giving come from a sincere heart, regardless of societal valuation.

Big Idea: God values the heart and intention behind our actions more than the actions themselves; true giving stems from a deep love and commitment to Him and others, prompting us to redefine our understanding of generosity.

1. Challenge Conventional Wisdom

Mark 12:35–37 ESV

And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, “How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.” ’ David himself calls him Lord. So how is he his son?” And the great throng heard him gladly.

Since Jesus is the Christ, He spoke of Himself here.

With the questions of the scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees to Jesus, they tried to trap Him.

Jesus did not do the same in His questions to them; instead He got to the heart of the matter: “Do you really know who I am?”

These religious leaders thought they knew just about everything there was to know about the Messiah.

Jesus challenged this thought, and He asked them to consider that they may have something to learn.

Jesus is not only the Son of David but also the Lord of David.

As Revelation 22:16 says, He is both the root and offspring of David.

With this question Jesus challenged the religious leaders, asking them “do you understand this truth about the Messiah?”

2. Condemn Empty Practices

Mark 12:38–40 ESV

And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

Beware of the scribes:

The scribes were the “Bible Scholars” of Jesus’ day.

They were entrusted with preserving, learning, and teaching the Word of God to the world.

These were the men that the people of God should have been able to trust, but Jesus said instead they should beware of the scribes.

The scribes represented a complete contrast to the picture of how a disciple should be – as a servant, as a child, as one carrying a cross.

3. Celebrate True Sacrifice

Mark 12:41–44 ESV

And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”