Sermon Tone Analysis
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Pride and pretentiousness
Hard truths, hard teachings, that is what Jesus has been doing on the day of questions.
Now comes a time of observation and teaching, teaching that includes warnings about pride.
Pride of the leadership, pride of the rich.
Then He gives a good example of humility the opposite of pride.
Jesus has addressed many challenges on this Tuesday of Passion week, the Pharisees, Herodians as well as the Sadducees and the Scribes all have tried to trip Him up and discredit Him.
The pretentious nature is clearly seen in our passage today.
(pretentious definition)
Can we be pretentious people today?
Mk12:
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
Pretentious leaders (Scribes) then
What can you tell about the pretentious leaders then?
Long flowing robes (v.38)
These flowing robes were full length with tassels attached these types of robes were worn by distinguished Rabbis and scholars as well as people of wealth and prominence
They wanted to be seen, wanted to be acknowledge; hence why they are considered pretentious
Love greetings in marketplace (v.38)
They wanted to be addressed by their title “Rabbi”
They wnted to be addressed by their title “Rabbi”
They wanted public acknowledgment of their alleged, assumed position of prominence
Best seats in synagogue; and banquets (v.39)
best seats in the synagogue were the bench’s in front of the dais; in front of the scrolls that would be read and they are facing the congregation so there was no way they would not be noticed.
They were called the “first seats” in the Greek; these seats were reserved for persons of rank, recognition, respect.
They loved the attention that this gave them.
Best seats at banquets: seats were normally from the head seat from the right to left alternating position of prominence and importance
Jesus had warned about the pride, the pretentiousness of this in (Lk14:7-11).
(not on the screen but let’s all turn there are and read this briefly)
Long prayers (v.40)
Pretentious prayers, offering long, eloquent prayers so to be heard, just as much as they wanted to be seen and seated.
Jesus said go to your closet and pray (Mt6:6); and not long prayers (Mt6:7)
devour widows houses (v.40)
Widow’s were to be taken care of, instead they were being taken advantage of all in the name of religion by those who were to care for them.
Bring greater condemnation (v.40)
What greater condemnation can you think of here?
- Is this a salvation issue?
Is this an effectiveness issue?
If a person is important only because of the garments they wear, the title they bear or the position they hold, they are not important and their presumed importance does nothing for them and the kingdom of God.
People even in ministry can get pretentious, get prideful when they
Wear distinctive clerical garb where there is no New Testament authority
Go by religious titles contrary to what the Word says (Mt23:8-10)
Expect preferential treatment, seating, social functions and even finances
We are to be people of character and integrity but who love God and our neighbor.
Our character should be found and developed in Christ Jesus by being a humble servant.
This now sets us up for our next passage whereas Jesus observes and teaches about a person of character.
Humble faith displayed
This section is not told in a parable but in observation, the character is real, and her character is displayed and offered up as an example and a teaching so the apostles would not become pretentious.
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
As we look at breaking down this passage may we look at
The narrative
Some observations
Some application
Some quick facts before getting to the narrative
In the court of the women there were 13 trumpet-shaped chests around the walls, they were called tributary boxes.
Each box had significance (i.e. for daily sacrifices, expences of the temple, etc.)
The narrative
__________________________________________________________
Jesus observed (Mk12:41)
Jesus noted (Mk12:41; Exo35:20-29; 2Cor9:7; Exo36:2-7)
_______________________________________________________
If you look up the passages noted you will see that the people gave
Those who heart was stirred both men and women (Exo35:21,26)
Exo35:22-23
Exo35:24-25
Those who spirit moved (Exo35:21)
Given as a freewill offering (Exo35:29) much like our offerings today (2Cor9:7)
Even service provided was from a stirred heart (Exo36:2)
They gave in abundance that they were told to stop (Exo36:7)
Many rich people were giving large sums; but in reality Jesus did not care about the sum, but the heart.
not the what but the how they gave.
Jesus considered (Mk12:42)
A widow with two small coins, two copper coins, two mites
The gift from the widow woman who gave two copper coins (NASB); two mites (NKJV) or two leptas (Berean literal Bible)
It was not about the gift, it was about the giver
The monetary value of the gift was nothing, but the spiritual gift was everything.
It was not about the amount, it was about the heart
Jesus called (Mk12:43)
He called His disciples to Him; He had some teaching and warning to issue to them.
Jesus never missed a teaching moment, especially here, 3 days from the cross and He is instructing, warning them so they do not become pretentious.
Jesus did not want them to become pretentious when this is all kept in context.
What does Jesus say to the disciples?
- she put in more than all
Jesus called it what it was this widow gave more than all.
Discussion point, how did she give more than all, what are you basing your conclusion on?
Jesus noted (Mk12:43-44)
Others gave from their surplus, she gave from her poverty
Others from abundance she from livelihood.
Others gave a portion, she gave it all!
Some Obserations
Jesus was very observant of the situation with the rich and with the widow He made a point to use it as an opportunity to teach the disciples and we can make a few more observations from the passage now too.
It’s a lesson for the disciples (Mk12:43)
It’s about the value of the gift (Mk12:43)
It’s about the heart of the giver (Mk12:44)
The importance of a person is about devotion not donation
Her poverty proved her faith (Mk12:44; Lk9:58; Lk18:22; Mt6:31-33)
Jesus led a life of chosen poverty (Lk9:58)
Jesus told others to do the same (Lk18:22)
Better look at those passages
What is Jesus saying here?
Now look t
What is Jesus asking here?
The teaching, offering up of her faith was a great instruction to the disciples to trust God’s care (Mt6:31-33)
God wants us to trust Him and His provision for our life.
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