Mark - A Warning

Good morning class,

Just to let you know, we are now officially back in the KITCHEN!  However if you are still home, don't worry we will still be having the class on Zoom as well!  It may not be quite as intimate, because we will also be trying to include the "Kitchen" in the conversation but we will do our best.  I hope you will continue to join us.

*** The email service that sends out emails when the blog is posted is ending soon!  We have been having issues for a long time with them sending them out so late, and I guess it was decided by blogger to drop that feature.   For now we are not going to be moving the blog or anything like that but that may be a possibility in the future so stay tuned.  

Question of the day:  What have you been doing to enjoy the beautiful weather?

 This morning we are going to finish up Mark 12. 

READ: Mark 12:35-44

Whose Son Is the Messiah?

35 While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, “Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David? 36 David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared:

“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
    “Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies
    under your feet.”’[h]

37 David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?”

The large crowd listened to him with delight.

Warning Against the Teachers of the Law

38 As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

The Widow’s Offering

41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

These are some interesting "stories" or passages. 

First we see that after silenced the questions of the teachers, He now asks a question.  This question may be a bit confusing to us, however very simply put, Jesus is asking if they know who He is.  He also doesn't hide it but is just simply asking.

Then we have a warning.  I also find it interesting that most likely the people he was talking about were right there.  He is speaking up!  Speaking boldly.  

This warning is also very connected to the cursing of the fig tree.  These "good" people were fakes.  I realize it is easy to just enjoy the finger pointing that Jesus is doing, but I want us to stop and see if there is anyway that we are like them.

1. I am a teacher.  Right here today, I am teaching this class.  So I'm like them.

2. I dress differently because I am a Christian.  (Not long flowy robes, but we do try to look "Christian" don't we?) Is it possible that our less make up, no jewelry, ties, can become our robes? 

3. Present in a way that gets them respect.  As leaders they are wanting respect.  Is it possible we fall into that at times? 

4. They devour widows houses... They take gifts and created a culture where large gifts to them was considered the "best" gifts you could give.  Do we ever make giving to a project, or even the church so important we attach "being good" to giving sacrificially?  Hmmm.. Before you get up in arms about what I am saying,  let's move on...  We will revisit this...

5. Lengthy prayers...  Maybe it is lengthy impressive sermons, or slick sermon titles and banners? Are we in anyway trying to glorify us or our "church"?  I am NOT saying these things are wrong, neither are lengthy prayers. Jesus prayed all night, what is the difference? 

Then Jesus talks about the widows mite.  

In light of what he just said about the "teachers of the law" does this story change for you at all? He just talked about the widows having their houses devoured, now this story is highlighting the widows giving.  

I want you to think about what he has just warned against and now reread what he says.  Is it possible that this is literally showing them how the widows homes are being devoured?  We can't look at this passage as a stand alone.  Jesus is showing the evidence of what he just warned about.  

What do we take away from this? 

We need to be extremely careful how we ask for money and make sure that those of us who can are giving more and supporting the widows or those who have very little!  This is an indictment of the rich who give as little as possible and NOT a glorification of those who give everything! Ouch!!!  I know your study bible and everywhere else will probably tell you this passage is about sacrificial giving, because it says she gave more... I disagree.  Following the other story it is clearly demonstrating what he had just said.  

Lord, give us a heart of humility as we do our best to serve you as you would have us!