Snapshots of the Last Days pt 2

Not all, but a lot, of the last teachings of Jesus were in parables, as He tries to get through to some of the people who are going to kill Him.

Jesus is providing His final pictures of what is going to happen to Him and what kind of Kingdom He is bringing in His ministry.

So turn with me to Mark 12.

Let’s start with the first 12 verses.

Here we see all the things that have brought about the moment Jesus faces.

God created the world

And left it in the care of tenants- people

He sent people (prophets) over and over again to guide his people and each time they abused them and ignored them.

Mark (2) About the Rejection of Israel: The Parable of the Wicked Tenant Farmers (12:1–12)

The rejection, abuse, and even killing of the prophets was so common as to be proverbial

And finally, He sent His Son.And the tenants thought was not we better listen- but if we kill Him then what was His will be ours.

Mark (2) About the Rejection of Israel: The Parable of the Wicked Tenant Farmers (12:1–12)

A piece of land could be acquired by its occupants if no living person claimed ownership. The tenants must have assumed that the son had come because the father was dead

That’s the issue the teachers and leaders have with Jesus. What they have stewarded is rightfully His, but they want it for themselves. They see it as an earthly Kingdom.

Why is this so important to us? Look at verse 9- He is going to reject the existing system and start something new, with new tenants- and the death of His Son is going to be the foundation of this new Kingdom. (v10-11)

And what is wild- some of them get it! But their reaction is to arrest Him.

Church, let me be clear. When God is calling you to repent, He will repeat it over and over again. But He is not going to force you to choose Him. Like Black Sheep said, the choice is yours. But resisting Him has consequences- we hurt ourselves by our stubbornness.

But they are not done. And the obsession with an earthly kingdom continues in verses 13-17.

Mark (3) About the Payment of Taxes (12:13–17)

The word translated “catch” (“entrap,” RSV; “trap,” NRSV, NEB, REB, NASB, GNB) often was used to refer to catching an animal in a snare or hooking a fish. The use of the word implies deceit and treachery.

The issue with “taxes to Caesar” is all about who is the allegiance to?

The Pharisees and Herodians are trying to make Jesus into a traitor. If He says not to pay taxes, then He is a rebel and the Romans will kill Him. If He says to pay taxes, they think His followers will desert Him as a traitor to the nation.

Mark (3) About the Payment of Taxes (12:13–17)

The tax amounted to only a “denarius” a year (v. 15), i.e., a day’s wage of an agricultural laborer. It was opposed at its inception by Judas the Galilean (cf.

Mark (3) About the Payment of Taxes (12:13–17)

The questions in vv. 14–15 posed a serious dilemma for Jesus. If he advised payment, he would lose what popularity he still had with the people. If he advised against payment, he would surely be arrested by the Roman authorities

For them, it is all about reclaiming their power. That they see Jesus usurping.

We get pulled into that a lot these days. In some of the circles I run in, I will hear “If your pastor doesn’t address this issue this Sunday, you need to find a new church!” or “If your pastor is voting for so and so you need to find a new church” and variations on those statements.

Folks that is some misguided crap. The purpose of Jesus is not to deal with an earthly kingdom. He came to establish something new. And our engagement with world around us should be based on those principles- but they are not kingdom build here on earth.

Jesus shuts up both sides with a simple statement- give Caesar what’s his…and give God what is His.

Caesar gets a coin, God gets us. And we are more valuable than a dollar.

Mark (3) About the Payment of Taxes (12:13–17)

The coin that was minted by the emperor and had his image stamped on it was considered to be his personal property even while it was in circulation. Therefore it was proper for Jews and (later) Christians to return it to him. By so saying, Jesus acknowledged that God’s people have an obligation to the state, although he did not define that obligation. In fact, the word translated “give” means to pay what is owed. It was important for Mark’s Roman readers/hearers to know this pronouncement of their Lord so they could defend themselves with it against charges of disloyalty to the state. Jesus refused to identify himself with the revolutionaries

And we are not done. In verses 18-27, here come the Sadducees. They, unlike the others, do not believe in a resurrection. And given what is coming, that is a problem!

Mark (4) About Marriage at the Resurrection (12:18–27)

Very important for the present passage is their denial of resurrection of the body. According to

So when they come with their question to stump Jesus, He addresses it to put aside all doubt.

Resurrection is real. And their focus on earthly ways of thinking- who is married to who- misses the point. They do not even believe that God resurrects people. Which means they do not even understand the scriptures they claim to teach people about.

Mark (4) About Marriage at the Resurrection (12:18–27)

The use of counterquestions is typical of the practice of the rabbis in general and Jesus in particular. Note well the two errors Jesus pointed out: not knowing the content and/or proper interpretation of their own Scriptures and not having personally experienced the power of God in their lives. Christian readers need to realize that such deficiencies are not limited to Sadducees or other Jews.

Mark (4) About Marriage at the Resurrection (12:18–27)

Probably the best understanding is that no Christian will be deprived of any meaningful relationship with believing family members and friends. Not the grief of loss but the surpassing joy of new and equally meaningful relationships marks life in God’s family, whether now in the church or in the future.

This is a HUGE problem. How can they be trusted to instruct the people when they deny parts of God’s Word?

The same debates we see today- which parts of God’s word can we disregard to fit our agendas? Which parts can we over emphasize to buttress our arguments?

Church this is the issue of our day. We try and manipulate God’s word to suit our needs. But we ALL fall short of what God calls us. And rather than arguing about it, we should be moved to repentance and accept that we are in need of correction.

God’s word is not a buffet for us to skip over the brussel sprouts. It’s where we learn that God has the best for us- even when it is an acquired taste.

Which leads us to the final part of this teaching, and where Jesus lays the truth bare for the ones who have hung on for the whole debate. Verses 28-34.

One last guy, who sees how Jesus is answering every question. And I will be honest, I wonder if this was less trying to trip Jesus up and more, he really wants to know the answer.

Mark (5) About the Greatest Commandment (12:28–34)

This story differs somewhat from the preceding one in that it does not involve a controversy. Indeed, the friendly attitude of the scribe, which is different from all other exchanges between Jesus and these teachers of the law, supports the authenticity of Mark’s account.

I say that for 2 reasons

Because of the line in vs 28 that says he saw Jesus had answered them well

His response to Jesus’ answer and Jesus’ response to him

He wants to know the greatest commandment.

Mark (5) About the Greatest Commandment (12:28–34)

The question reflects the fact that the scribes had identified 613 separate commandments, 365 of which were negative and 248 of which were positive. They divided them further into “heavy” and “light,” i.e., more important and less important

And Jesus gives him 2- love God with all you have and love your neighbor like you love yourself.

Mark (5) About the Greatest Commandment (12:28–34)

Therefore one of the most significant elements in the teaching of Jesus was to redefine the neighbor as everybody, including the hated Samaritans and Gentiles (cf.

And this shuts every one down.

Why is that?

Because it lays bare all the thoughts behind the questions- they were all seeking some kind of advantage and some other desire other than God and others.

To really follow Jesus, means surrendering everything we have. It all dies.

We become consumed with something other.

When we give ourselves to Jesus we are surrendering.