Unpacking Mark 12: Authority, Faith, and True Devotion

Both: Hello and welcome back to Offshoulds Rebeccaan's Time where we open the Bible and read what it actually says and try not to turn every chapter into three tips for more aesthetic quiet time, maybe in a coffee shop. Although if your quiet time is aesthetic, good for you. usually involves cold tea and someone asking they left their shoes. Today we're in Mark chapter 12 and this chapter is huge. Jesus is in Jerusalem, the pressure is building, the religious leaders are coming at him from every angle and instead of back and down, Jesus gets clearer and sharper. Yes, Mark 12 is one of those chapters. but Jesus is not vague at all. He exposes false religion, answers hostile questions with wisdom and authority, teaches the heart of God's law, and then ends by exposing the difference between outward religion and genuine devotion. so if Mark 11 was the King has arrived, Mark 12 is now the King is confronting everybody's nonsense. He is setting up his stall. Yeah, no one is ducking. teaching today. No, this is for everyone. is a strong summary and it's also not wrong. Am I ever wrong? Yes. Okay, thank you. This chapter matters because it shows us who Jesus is public conflict. He's not only compassionate with the weak, he's also fearless with the proud and it shows us what true love for God actually looks like. Do want to walk us through the chapter, Sam? Yes, so... is a strong summary and it's also not wrong. Am I ever wrong? Yes. Okay, thank you. We kick off with the parable of the tenants. one hits a bit hard, doesn't it? It's so sad. It feels really sad. ⁓ starts with a parable. A man plants a vineyard, puts a fence around it, a pit for the winepress, builds a tower, and then leases it to tenants before going away. This one hits a bit hard, doesn't it? It's sad. It feels really sad. ⁓ And straight away that vineyard imagery should ring Old Testament bells. Isaiah five uses the vineyard as a picture for Israel. So Jesus is not telling a random farm story because he suddenly fancied a countryside illustration. He's speaking into Israel's history and leadership. They know this correlation. They do. They'll be very aware of what Jesus is saying the owner sends servants to collect from the tenants, beat one. ⁓ shame another, kill another and do the same to many others. Then finally he sends his beloved son saying they respect him because he's my son. the tenants say is the year come let us kill him so what his inheritance will be are so they kill the son and throw him out with a vignette so you don't even respect the son. No so this is not subtle at all the servants represent the prophet God sent. The tenants represent the leaders entrusted with stewardship and the beloved son is Jesus. But I want you to notice how Jesus frames this. issue is not that God has failed to communicate clearly. He sent servant after servant after servant. The issue is rejection and it's repeated rejection of that Lord Everything that the Lord sends, they just reject time after time after time, even just in Jesus' time with John the Baptist and then Jesus. Everything that the Lord sends, they just reject time after time after time, even just in Jesus' time with John the Baptist and then Jesus. But then Jesus asks, what will the owner of the vineyard do? he will destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. And that's judgment language. Jesus is warning the religious leaders that stewardship without faithfulness brings accountability. They do not own the vineyard. It was only entrusted to them. then he quotes Psalm 118. The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. So Jesus is identifying himself as the rejected one be exalted by God. And that's such a key theme. Human rejection does not cancel divine appointments. Jesus will be rejected. But he's still the cornerstone, he's still our cornerstone today. Absolutely. the leaders knew he had told the parable against them, means they understood him just fine. Their problem wasn't confusion, it was hostility. There's still a few minutes about flipping the tables in the previous chapter as well. But worth pausing. And sometimes people say, if Jesus was here, means they understood him just fine. Their problem wasn't confusion, it was hostility. There's still a few minutes about flipping the tables in the previous chapter as well. everyone would just obviously receive him. But Mark says, no, plenty of people understand him enough to want to get rid of him. They understand what's going on, but they still don't want him. And think that is such a good point. And we see that in life that people understand that God is real and still reject him. ⁓ So I think as well, you've said a of times, even if the devil believes in Jesus and believes in God, does it make him right? So the next is the taxes to Caesar. And feel like Jesus is always dropping these moments and it really, you really have to reflect on how you would react in a situation. like, I feel like he's super smart. I'm like, you're so good. I feel like Jesus is always dropping these and it really, you really have to reflect on how you would react in a situation. like, I feel like he's super smart. I'm like, you're so So the story starts in Mark 12, 13 through to 17, the Pharisees and Herodians come together to trap Jesus. That alone is interesting because those groups natural besties. They weren't like everything they were full. They were like everything I live for, I'm not united even. Nothing unites people like a shared determination to corner Jesus. And that's true today as well. They ask, is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? If he says yes, he risks alienating people who hate Roman rule. If he says no, he can be accused of rebellion. So this isn't an earnest question about civic responsibility. This is not about paying your council tax. No. It's political trap dressed up in a polite church language. Jesus asks for a denarius and says, and inscription is this? They answer, Caesar's. Then he says, render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's. And this answer is brilliant because Jesus refuses to false either or. there are legitimate earthly obligations. We have to pay taxes. do. But Caesar is not ultimate. You know, the government of the UK is not ultimate. No. Jesus is ultimate. Absolutely. And the second half matters most. Give to God what belongs to God. If the coin bears Caesar's image, can go back to Caesar, but human beings bear God's image, so our whole selves belong to him. That is And again, it's really important. This passage is not saying the state gets whatever it wants with no limit, nor is it saying Christians can ignore civil obligations wherever they feel spiritual. Jesus makes a distinction, but God ⁓ remains Exactly. It's a call to orders, allegiance. Earthly authority is real, but never ultimate. which is still relevant now because modern people can idolize politics from both directions some christians act like the government is a others talk as though any air for your authority is automatically demonic Jesus gives a wiser answer than both of them extremes. He puts himself in the middle, it's still true to the Bible, it's still true to Christianity. It's not either or. And again, it's like he's flipping the tables on what think is true and right. It's what's actually true and right. So let's move on to story of the Bible. there's no resurrection. Yeah, they bring a question based on Leverite marriage. A woman marries seven brothers in sequence as dies childless. in the resurrection? this is really like touching on the of the old Levi ⁓ Leviticus rules, Leviticus law and rules. And this is one of those questions that sounds clever a dinner party ⁓ deeply the Jesus answers, this is not the reason you are wrong because you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God. That is a direct rebuke. And that's such a strong line because it hits both sides. They are wrong about the Bible and wrong about God's power and that is a lethal combination. Jesus says that the resurrection people neither marry are in marriage like the angels in ⁓ meaning not that people angels but that earthly marriages do not continue in the same form in the resurrection age. And that can be a little bit of a hard pill to swallow. I only learned this quite recently. Did you? Yeah, I was shocked. But this missiles and standard does come up all the time. Jesus is not saying resurrected humans turn into angels with wings and harps and sit on clouds. He is comparing the features of existence, collapsing two different beings into one. earthly marriages do not continue in the same form in the resurrection age. And that can be a little bit of a hard pill to swallow. I only learned this quite recently. Did you? Yeah, I was shocked. Then Jesus proves resurrection from the which the Sadducees accepted. He quotes Exodus 3, where God says, ⁓ am the God of Abraham ⁓ the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. he is the God of the but of the living. This is really careful and clever of Jesus. Jesus argues from the very scriptures that they claim to honor and he shows that God's covenant relationship with his people does not end by death. So resurrection is not some tack-on bonus doctrine. it's bound up with who God is, And again, Jesus is revealing himself here. He doesn't just have a nice opinion theology. He handles scriptures with complete authority. Then the scribes come up unlike the others seem to ask a more sincere commandment is the most one of all? answers with the Shema from Deuteronomy 6. Hear O Israel, Lord our God, the Lord is one, and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind. and with all your strength and I've definitely got that on the wall somewhere in my house. Then he adds Leviticus 9.18, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. is no other commandment greater than these. Don't have to love thy neighbor, wall. Maybe you should. Maybe I should, yeah. But anyway, this is such an important moment. Jesus is not flattening the law into vague niceness. He is giving the heart of it. Love for God first and then love for neighbor flowing from there. this is not sentimental love. Biblical is covenantal, obedient, whole person devotion, heart, soul, mind, strength, ⁓ all of you. Everything. So it's not, feel spiritually positive about God on a certain worship song. It is total allegiance, ⁓ even if that is with worship video. scribe responds well. He says loving God and neighbour is more than the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. Jesus tells him you are not far from the kingdom of God. That phrase is fascinating. Not is not the same as in he is close because he's seen something true, entrance unless he receives a kingdom standing in front of him. That's a really important point. You can be theologically, near and spiritually not yet submitted. Then Jesus asks, How the scribe can say Christ is the son of David Since David himself says in Psalm 110, the Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand. So how is the Messiah both David's son and also David's Lord? I think that's a good question. think it's a perfectly good question. Jesus is not denying that the Messiah is David's son. He's showing that the Messiah is more than merely human political The Christ is David's Lord. And that's huge. Jesus pressing them to see a bigger Messiah than they were expecting. ⁓ Not just a royal but an exalted identity. So there is a lineage to David from Jesus. And that is, you know, that in Matthew's gospel, he runs through it, doesn't he? Yeah. But he's saying, I'm more than that. I'm more than the lineages. more than So next we move on. with a warning against the scribes and the widow's offering. In his teaching, Jesus warns against scribes walking around in long robes, receiving greetings in marketplaces having best seats honor at feasts. It's basically very spiritual on the outside, very into the optics. So look at me on... on a hellevator Jesus they devour widows for a pretense make longed prayers. He says they will receive the greater condemnation. That is such a serious warning. Jesus is not impressed by religious theater, especially when it hides exploitation. Then he sits opposite the treasury and watches people put her money into the offering box. people put in large sums, but a poor widow puts in two small copper coins. And Jesus says she's put more in than any of the others because all they contributed is an abundance. what she's put in is all that she has and it's out of poverty. her two pence is worth more to the Lord than ⁓ they've put in, because they're still wealthy, which she's not. Yeah, ⁓ you look at like the percentage of wealth compared to what she's, she's put in more of her wealth than they have. This scene is often preached as, be like the widow and give sacrificially. may be principle there, but in Mark's vow, It also sits right after Jesus condemns leaders who devour with those houses. we... yes, and I think we need to be careful. Jesus certainly honors her gift. He sees what others miss, but this passage is obviously not a cheerful fundraising slogan. Exactly at a minimum, is showy religion with real devotion. The rich are visible. The widow is almost invisible, but Jesus sees that. I love that. And when emphasize her faith or the tragic system around her, the point is not. God is impressed by the amount. He sees the heart, the cost, and the reality. And I think is just true. There's so much in this passage far as tithing, religious giving, marriage. Marriage. ⁓ we some key themes? Yeah, let's pull out some key themes. ⁓ So Jesus' authority, he interprets Israel's story, exposes the leaders, answers impossible questions, and defines the greatest commandment. Nobody in this chapter gets the upper hand on him. He is uno reverse this chapter. ⁓ Second, confrontation with religious systems. Mark 12 is full of leaders using religion for power, status, and control. Jesus exposes that without hesitation. Third, the nature of true faith. It's not an outward performance, clever questions, or even religious visibility. It's loving God wholly, loving neighbor truly, and honoring Christ as he really is. Jesus is the rejected son and the cornerstone, then discipleship means giving up shallow religion, image selective obedience. Sabbath isn't central in this chapter, but the law is. Jesus shows the law center is love rooted in one true God, not legal performances divorced from devotion. So what does Mark mean for us? means that we need to ask whether we resemble a tenant. Have we treated what belongs to God as belonging to us? Ministry, family, gifts, ⁓ even our own lives. None of it is ours. It all belongs to God. whether better at asking clever questions than offering real obedience. ⁓ But the real issue is that they don't want to bow to him. That lands in church life today. You can know loads, debate loads, post loads, and still not actually love God with all your heart, soul, and mind and strength. You can be on a podcast. away from the kingdom and still not have surrendered to God. And then there's the scribes. The chapter is deeply uncomfortable for anyone who likes being seen. as spiritual. notices long prayers done for show and public honor wrapped up in religious language. it is very awkward for us all who've ever tried to sound holy than we actually are. ⁓ naming names, but I do actually feel like that's like sometimes when I try preach or whatever, I try and be someone I'm not. And that's not what God wants me to do. The widow also challenges comfortable Christianity. God sees what no one applauds. Faithfulness is not always fleshy, platformed, productive Which such a comfort, honestly. Jesus sees hidden devotion. not fueled by appearances, and he's not blind to quiet faithfulness. I think we're gonna end with some reflective questions again. So that wraps up the and applications of Mark Let's move on to some reflective questions that we do every week. ⁓ So firstly, ⁓ what what areas of my life am acting more a steward more like an owner? give God what is truly His? not just money or time, but my whole self. Am I more interested sounding spiritually informed than loving God and neighbor in real obedience? Where might I be tempted towards religious image management rather than sincere devotion? What hidden acts of faithfulness might Jesus value more highly than the visible things people notice? So as always, if you want to answer any of them questions, maybe answer comments below and let us know where you landed. Here we are at my favorite part of our podcast, our closing prayer. Bec, in true, of scripture fashion, do want to lead us in our closing prayer? I shall. So let's pray. Lord Jesus, thank you that you are the beloved son, the rejected stone who became the wise teacher David's Lord. Thank you that you see through false religion and you speak truth clearly. Forgive us when we have treated your gifts like they belong to us, where we've loved appearances more than obedience, and where we have settled for being near kingdom without actually yielding to the king. Teach us to love you with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbour as ourselves. Guard us from religious pride, spiritual performance and the desire to be seen. Thank you that you see hidden faithfulness. that quiet devotion is never invisible to you. Make us sincere, humble and wholehearted before you. Help us to read Mark 12 again with open eyes and stop. and soft hearts. Amen. Now it's your turn. Mark slowly this week and pay attention to the contrast ⁓ who want to manage Jesus people who want to actually listen to him. The contrast still tells the truth about us. That brings us to the end of today's podcast. If you like what you hear, please like and subscribe and share it with a friend. your interest in the podcast really helps small channel like ours. And if you would like to support our channel, we do have a buy me a coffee page that we'll link down below until next week when we all dive into Mark 13. We'll see you then. See you later. Bye.