Mark 12: 12 Then the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away.
Jesus has some unfinished business to tend to. Read Mark 12:
He will not fly off to some peaceful kingdom without facing the powers that have crippled and mistreated the children of Israel. He tells the parable about the vineyard to show how the scribes, Pharisees and teachers of the law and the High Priest have abused the trust given to them by God for the sake of their own power, prestige and wealth. When they recognized he was speaking against them they wanted to kill him. What would Jesus say to his children living in America today? “To him to which much has been given will much be expected.”
He tells those hypocrites that even Caesar is the servant of God. The Jewish leaders can’t use hatred of Rome to justify their treatment of the Messiah. The humble people recognized the moral authority of Jesus in contrast to the petty thievery and vanity of the religious leaders. Jesus probed into their hearts. Does he look into your heart. Remember: the Word is like a two-edged sword that sees into the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
These jackals tried to throw doubt into the teaching that would free these poor people of Israel from their poverty . That was Jesus’ teaching about the Kingdom of God that promised life after death. Instead fooling Jesus they just showed their cold and empty hearts.
But there was one scribe who asked the right question: “What is the great commandment?" In looking for the ultimate truth they came close to the mission of Jesus. He came to teach and bring the love of God into their lives. That love captures all we say and do. How does that love help you to treat others with dignity?
Jesus is the Messiah. He quotes david in the Psalm that he is the Lord of the lord, King David. With one more warning he can warn them: Beware of the scribes then shows them true love of God in the poor widow’s gift. They give for show. She gives for the love of God. Jesus asks you,”Do you love me?”
This is the day the Lord has made. Make the most of it! See you in the kingdom!
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