Mark 12:18-44

Theme: Jesus exposes the ignorance of the Sadduces, the dangers of lightening to the teachers of the law (because of their hypocrisy), and the true faith of a poor widow.

Aim: Do not test Jesus; rather, listen to his teaching and model your life by it - he is Lord. Outward appearances do not fool God, he demands a genuine following from the heart.

Study

Recap

Who is Jesus and why did he come?

The Scriptures and the

Power of God

What does Jesus reveal about the Sadduces?
- They are ignorant. They neither know the Scriptures, nor the power of God.
- Their question (really test) of Jesus reveals their two-fold motive: to promote themselves by putting down Jesus. They don’t believe in the final resurrection, therefore reject the power and authority of Jesus - he is the resurrection and the life. (John 11)
- In their attempt to use scripture against itself, they reveal that their hearts are far from God.
What are Jesus’ two main rebuttals, and what does it tell us about him?
- First, their understanding of eternal life with the Father is deeply wrong. They simply view it as a continuation of this life. Jesus corrects them, teaching the power of God is great enough that eternal life with him surpasses life on Earth.
- Their understanding of marriage is similarly wrong. Marriage is a picture of Christ’s final and perfect union with his people. Earthly marriages are fulfilled in the greatest marriage on the final day. Once that happens, imperfect, earthly marriages will no longer exist. We are not given in marriage to each other, but to Jesus himself.
- Secondly, they are ignorant of the Scriptures. Jesus meets them on their home turf - the books of Moses. God is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Though they are physically dead, they are spiritually alive with God. Life is found in and sustained by him - he is the God of the living not the dead.
- Jesus has authority over the Scriptures, interpreting it perfectly, more knowledgable than even the experts. He can give a definitive answer. He does what only the author of the Scriptures can do - he is Lord.

A Correct Approach

What is different about this scribe to the Sadduces?
- The scribe comes with a genuine question, not a trap.
- Accepts Jesus’ answer willingly, he doesn’t want to kill him!
- He is commended by Jesus.
What does this encounter reveal about Jesus’ authority?
- Authority over the commandments of God. He weighs them and gives a definitive answer.
- Jesus also gives a standard of what is ‘good’ - to love God with all your being.

True Disciples

What do these two encounters say about what a disciple of Jesus looks like?
- Sincere desire to follow God.
- Must love God with all their heart, going through the motions isn’t enough.
- Disciples must have humility.
- Disciples need Jesus, not one of us measures up to these commandments. We need a saviour who has done it for us.
- Sincere seeking is prised by Jesus, but only brings one close to the Kingdom - not into it.
- What is missing from the Scribe?
Are you tempted to value ‘head knowledge’ over a heart that follows the Lord?
- Easily tempted to focus on being correct, and giving correct answers.
- St Andrews culture pushes academic knowledge and achievement. Not that these are bad, but they are not of most importance.
- Saying, knowing and even doing the right things, but for the wrong reasons is not enough to save. God is not fooled. Man looks at the outward appearance but God looks at the heart.
How do the two greatest commandments challenge you?
- In what ways do you not love God with all your heart, mind and strength?
- Do you give God the best and greatest of our time, energy and love?
- When do you forget God? When do you rely on your own efforts, or more commonly, do you praise your own efforts when things go well?
- What would a church in which everyone loves their neighbour as themselves look like?
- Is it possible to follow the first without following the second commandment?
- What can you change about your lifestyle to better love others? (Gal. 6:10)

My, how the Turntables!

What does Jesus teach in verses 35–37? What is this claiming?
- Quotes Psalm 110. David (the King) calls someone Lord.
- Who could be both descended from David, and greater than him? Only Jesus, Son of God, fits the bill.
- Jesus quotes this psalm to teach that God will elevate him to his right hand - Lord over all.
- Also shows that Jesus has greater authority than the scribes and teachers of the law - he interprets what they cannot.
How does Jesus describe the teachers of the law and why?
- Describes them devouring widows’ houses
- He exposes their deep hypocrisy.
- They abuse the possessions and generosity of the vulnerable.
- They are like the Gentile rules in 10:42 but more dangerous because their evilness is disguised as religion.
- Jesus is clear, they will be punished, severely. God is the defender of the vulnerable and will execute justice.
How can these teaching apply today?
- Two-fold applications. First:
  - Teachers like this still exist. Sadly, leaders in the church abuse their positions. They take money on the pretence of gospel work, and use it for themselves. In many other ways, these corrupt leaders appear and claim to be followers of Jesus, but are far from him.
  - Beware of such people - we can see that they are well practised at luring in followers, and the very fact that they have such wealth and influence, is because lots of people do believe their lies.
  - More subtly however, are people who teach falsely, or ignorantly. Just as the Sadduces and teachers of the law didn’t know the power of God nor the Scriptures, yet still taught them, so too today, there are preachers and teachers who might not be as overtly corrupt as those described above, but yet do not truly know or follow Christ.
  - So do not believe everything you hear, but test it against the Scriptures, to determine if it is from God. (see 1 John 4)
- Second:
  - Consider our own hearts.
  - Disciples are to be servants of all 10:44 and to love others as ourselves.
  - It’s so easy to be selfish, to take rather than give, but we must deny ourselves. (8:34)
  - Likewise, God demands (and deserves) nothing less than your entire devotion.
  - He is not taken in by the appearance of religion, but sees your heart and all that is in it.
  - Is God top of your priority list? Or just in the top 3?
  - Do you serve God in everything you do? With all your energy, thoughts and actions?
  - What takes priority over God in your life?
  - Usually it’s ourselves, we do what we want to do - often not praying or sitting and reading.
  - How would the rest of the term be different if you consistenly had Jesus before everything else?

A Model of True Trust

What does Jesus commend the widow for, and why?
- Gives all she has to God.
- She put herself after God, giving the little she had, leaving none to herself.
- She did what was difficult. Giving out of wealth is easier, and they remained rich after.
- Depended on God, not on herself.
- Jesus doesn’t look at what she gave, but what she had left.
- He commends her obedience and trust.
- Should we do this?
- Not necessarily. Just like the rich young ruler, we don’t need to give all we have. Rather the application is to examine yourself, making sure nothing takes priority over God.
- Would God ask you to leave your friends and family for his work? Maybe. Would you obey?
- All you have and love might go away, there is no security - but what will never go away is God and his faithfulness. The point is that the sole thing which cannot be removed should be the foundation and priority of our lives.
- Like a God sandwich: all we do is based on God’s provision, and striving towards serving him.
Which others have been presented as models for disciples in Mark?
- Levi the tax collector
- Man possessed by a legion of demons.
- Bleeding woman
- Syro-Phoenician woman
- Little children
- Blind Bartimaeus
- These people are outcasts and broken in many ways. The are desperate and the only one who can help them is Jesus.
- They cast all their hope and trust in him.
- We should do the same.