#Mark12 - Tax Season For Jesus Too

Click here to read Mark 12:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

Two different parts of this chapter deal specifically with money. The first is about paying taxes. The Jews hated the Romans and the oppression brought on by empire. Even though they enjoyed some religious freedoms, they still had hopes that the Messiah would come and rescue them from the Romans and their other enemies. So when the leaders ask this question about taxes, they are either hoping that Jesus will say, "Yes, you should pay taxes to Caesar," at which point he would lose favor with the people, or "Give your money to God instead of Caesar," at which point the Roman guards would arrest him and deal with him as an insurrectionist trying to rebel against the Emperor. The answer Jesus gives is not just a way to dodge a tough situation. Instead he addresses it very truthfully, biblically, and practically that nobody could argue.

2. How does this passage relate to any other Scripture I know?

The parable of the tenants has always been striking to me ever since I understood the meaning of it all. The political leaders, religious leaders and teachers of the law are the tenants that God has placed on earth to "take care of the church." And the prophets are the messengers he has sent. But almost none of the prophets were taken seriously, and many were beaten, mocked, and or hanged. When that "didn't work" he sent his Son. But just like they mistreated the prophets, they mistreated the Son too. This reminds me of Hebrews 1:1-2, "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son..."

3. What does this mean for my life?

I am humbled when I read the story of the Widow's Offering. It is so special. I just picture Jesus hanging out, seeing what he saw, and jumping to get his disciples, "Look! Look! Come see this!" Jesus was not resentful or negative about all the other gifts, but he recognized that though the others were giving large sums of money, the woman's offering was the largest. I need to remember that I should be giving not just what is easily planned, but regular offerings with some of it being sacrificial in some way.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

Does Jesus negate the possibility of recognizing loved ones in heaven? I don't think so, but he is definitely saying that things will be different and we won't have need for formal marriage relationships then.

Those are my thoughts. I'd love to hear yours. Until then, keep digging in.

In Christ,
Dan

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#Matthew16 - The Most Important Question

Click here to read Matthew 16:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

In this chapter Jesus asks his disciples about what others are saying. In a way he is asking, "What's the gossip about me?" It's easy for the disciples to answer that question. "Some say this, others are saying this or that." But then Jesus focuses the question to the disciples, who are standing right in front of him and asks them, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter was the one who replied first, as usual. This time though, he got it right. :) "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." It is really easy to make a case for this question to be THE most important question Jesus asks of people, including you and me. Who is Jesus? Is he really the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One, the Savior, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings? If we say he is, it will change our whole life because we'll share his teachings and live them out in our lives.

2. How does this passage relate to any other Scripture I know?

When the Pharisees and Sadducees asked Jesus to show them a sign, he told them that none will be given except the sign of Jonah. I wondered exactly what that meant until I remembered that just a couple days ago I read Matthew 12:40, where Jesus also mentions the sign of Jonah in more detail. "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." He speaks of his death and resurrection. I still think this is funny business about asking for a sign, as if the authoritative teaching and countless miracles wasn't enough. Ha! Still, the resurrection was the clincher.

3. What does this mean for my life?

Speaking of asking for a sign, how many times have I made this kind of demand of God. "God show me a sign that you're still here! Show me a sign that this is your will for me! Show me a sign that you have not given up on me!" God gave us more than a sign, he gave us his Holy Spirit, and a family to belong to in the church. Lord, grow my faith to trust in you even when I don't understand.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

In verse 28, Jesus says that some standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom. What did he mean by that? Was he talking about the resurrection, or was he referring to his "second coming"? I'm pretty sure all the disciples are dead, and he hasn't returned. So I'm a little confused.

In Christ,
Dan

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#Matthew11 - Are you the One?

Click here to read Matthew 11:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

Matthew dedicates a good portion of this chapter to share about the relationship between Jesus and John the Baptist. John has been imprisoned at this point, but he has heard about the teaching and miracles ministry of Jesus. Even though he baptized Jesus and basically declared that he was the Messiah, it seems that he just really wants to know and to hear it from the mouth of Jesus himself. So in typical Jesus Fashion, he doesn't directly answer the question. Instead he quotes Scripture that is being fulfilled through his life. We don't get to hear John's response here, but Jesus gives some pretty high marks for John. :)

2. How does this passage relate to any other Scripture I know?

In the reply Jesus gives to John's disciples, he seems to be directly referring to the passage from Isaiah that he quotes in his public teaching debut of sorts. The best description of this incident is found in Luke 4: 18-19. 

3. What does this mean for my life?

I love that John is not afraid to ask Jesus, "Are you the one we've been waiting for? Or should we expect someone else?" Sometimes in my own faith life I feel like I'm waiting for something to happen, or someone to come. I often need to remind  myself that "The next best thing is already here!" Jesus is the one we're waiting for. 

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

At the end of the chapter, Jesus encourages us to take on his yoke which is easy and light. Other places though Jesus really lays out the cost of discipleship. Why does He make it sound so easy on the one hand and so hard on the other?


God's blessings!

In Christ,
Dan

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