#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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#Matthew17 - So Little Faith

Click here to read Matthew 17:

1. What stood out to you from this passage?

I love the story of the transfiguration of Jesus. When I read it, it reminds me so much about coming to camp, especially since many people have described camp as a "mountaintop experience". First Jesus invites Peter, James and John to come to the mountaintop with him. Second the three disciples see, understand, and experience Jesus in a whole new way. Third, the disciples are so caught up in the experience that they want to stay there. Finally Jesus explains that they can't, and then proceeds to lead them back into a life of following after God. Camp is the same thing. Most people come because of someone's invitation. They see, understand, and experience Jesus in a whole new way. Many campers speak words almost identical to Peter's, "It is good for us to be here," and then essentially, "Can't we stay here?" And finally, one of the most important things about camp is actually sending the campers home with the promise and knowledge of God's presence to lead them down the mountain to a life of following God.

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

What stood out to me was this conversation between Jesus and the disciples about Elijah being linked to John the Baptist. But it's not the first time John the Baptist is connected with fulfilling the prophecy about "Elijah" coming before the Messiah. The original prophecy comes from Malachi 4:5 in which God promises to send the prophet Elijah before the day of the LORD comes. But even Jesus explicitly linked the two in Matthew 11:13-15, which we already read a week ago. Literally, he said, "If you are willing to accept it, he [John] is the Elijah who was to come." It's funny that the disciples didn't catch this.

3. So what does this mean for my life?

I was intrigued by the part of the chapter where the disciples couldn't drive out a demon because of their lack of faith. And I have always wondered how the twelve disciples could possibly have had a weak faith. These men were with Jesus! They saw him perform miracle after miracle and teach with authority. Yet Jesus basically tells them they don't even have a mustard seed of faith. Why? After reading this today, I ask myself, "Dan, why do you have so little faith?" My excuses are many: I haven't seen Jesus with my own eyes, I don't know theologically if God still does miracles in the same way still, I don't know if it's God's will. But the real answer that I was convicted by today is this: I lack the faith that the disciples lacked because I know myself, with all my flaws and failures. I have a harder time than anyone believing that I could do something like driving out demons. Yet this also reveals a great flaw in my thinking, namely because this kind of act has NOTHING to do with me and everything to do with God and God's power. Lord, help me trust in your power to do your work.

4. What questions do I have about this chapter?

I cannot say that I have encountered someone possessed by a demon. But how do I know? The demon in chapter 17 caused seizures and brought harm to the boy it possessed. How can we tell the difference between demons and epilepsy? Or demons and muteness, deafness, and blindness? It seemed like the people in Jesus's day just knew, like it was obvious that this person had a demon.

In Christ,
Dan