Today’s Reading: Mark 12:13-40; Luke 20:1-8, 20-47
As Jesus’ time on earth shortened, the religious leaders were ramping up their opposition against him, using their questions to try to trip him up. If they could get him to say the wrong thing, they would have a reason to have him arrested.
Jesus took advantage of this opportunity to teach his followers. His time was short and there was still so much he wanted them to know. Jesus focused on preparing them for how they should live their lives as they wait for his return.
His wisdom is still valid for us today as we wait for the day when Jesus will come back for us. His words are encouraging as we face persecution and opposition for our Christian values. Let’s simply sit at the feet of Jesus this morning and soak in all of the things he felt it was important for his followers to hear before he left them. Let’s start by sincerely praying the words of the psalmist:
Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long. – Psalm 25:4-5
GIVE: “Well, then,” Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” – Mark 12:17a
There’s an element of honesty here. As we live in a community, we cooperate with the government and authorities by giving what is required of us. In the same way, we live a generous and honest life with God, giving the tithe that is required but also responding generously to anything He asks us to give.
STUDY: When the Sadducees asked him a question about the resurrection from the dead, Jesus replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God” (Mark 12:24).
By studying God’s word, I increase my knowledge of the Scriptures and gain a clearer understanding of who God is and how incredibly BIG He is! This understanding helps me face any situation before me.
LOVE: When the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus with the question of which commandment in the Law of Moses was the most important, Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
The teacher of religious law replied, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth by saying that there is only one God and no other. And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law.”
Realizing how much the man understood, Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions. – Mark 12:29-34
The Law of Moses can be quite overwhelming with its 613 rules, and the New Testament is also full of instructions for us. But if we focus on living our lives out of a deep love for God and love for others, the result will be a life marked by holy living. Our walk becomes about our devotion to a relationship rather than our commitment to a religion. We live out our love relationship with Jesus and it looks a lot like loving others. And according to Jesus, the closer we get to this, the closer we get to the Kingdom of God.
PRACTICE: When we love God with all our heart, soul and mind, we live a life to please only Him rather than focusing on pleasing people. Our religion becomes more than just what we say but how we live. Unlike the Pharisees, we practice what we preach.
“So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden. Everything they do is for show.” – Matthew 23:3-5a
BE HUMBLE: “The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” – Matthew 23:11-12
Then, with the crowds listening, he turned to his disciples and said, “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be severely punished.” – Luke 20:45-47
Lord, give me a servant’s heart. Create in me a heart that only desires what you desire. Lord, I want my life to be honest and generous, demonstrating a love for you and a love for others. Show me YOUR ways. Teach me your word and live through me in such a way that my life brings you glory, Father God. Amen.
Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long. – Psalm 25:4-5