Tuesday: Who Said You Could Do That?
Daily Lesson for Tuesday 27th of August 2024
Read Mark 11:27-33. What challenge did the religious leaders bring to Jesus, and how did He respond?
The day after Jesus cleanses the temple, the religious leaders confront Him in the temple courts, asking by what authority He acted the day before. They are not seeking truth but seeking to trap Him. If He says that His authority is from God, they will deny that a simple country carpenter could have such authority. If He admits that His authority is human, they will dismiss Him as a fool.
Image © S. M. Davis at Goodsalt.com
But Jesus sees through their trap and says He will answer their question if they will answer one He asks. What He asks is whether John the Baptist’s baptism was from God or from men. Instantly, the leaders see that they are the ones trapped. If they say from God, Jesus will say, “Why did you not believe him?” If they say from men, they fear the people. So, they lie and say they do not know. This gives Jesus the opportunity to refuse to answer their question.
Read Mark 12:1-12. How did Jesus follow up His refusal to answer, and what effect did it have?
Jesus tells a parable about a vineyard, an owner, and tenants to whom he rents it. The story Jesus tells has great similarities to the parable of the vineyard found in Isaiah 5:1-30, where God brings a charge against unfaithful Israel. Everyone would recognize the parallel, especially the religious leaders.
The story unfolds in a most unusual way as the tenants refuse to give any of the fruits of the field to the owner. Instead, they mistreat and kill his servants. Finally, the owner sends his beloved son, whom he expects them to respect. But not so. They strangely reason that if they kill the son, the vineyard will be theirs. Their illogic is striking, and the judgment to be meted out on them is justified.
In this story, Jesus is giving the religious leaders a solemn warning as to where their steps are heading. Seen in this light, His parable is a loving forewarning. It is not too late for them to change and avoid certain judgment. Some will repent, change, and accept Jesus. Others will not.
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When I was doing my research degree, one of my supervisors was a Jewish Rabbi (and a computer scientist of some renown). Our conversations about my research program would often start with me asking a question about something I did not understand. Almost invariably, he would respond to my question with another question. They were always very perceptive questions that led me on a discovery journey. I asked him one day about "answering my questions with a question" and his response was a sly grin and the comment, "It the Jewish way!"
So, when I read the discussion that Jesus had with the big-wigs in the Temple about his credentials, I am not surprised that he responds with a question that puts the proverbial cat among the pigeons. It the Jewish way!
As an aside, in our own discussions with "others" when they raise questions about belief, how often do we try "The Jewish Way", and respond with a question? I will leave that as something to think about, but observe that we will often be more effective by listening carefully to their response.
In the second part of today's lesson study, Jesus is pretty blunt in his assessment of where the Jewish nation is heading. And to give credit where it is due, the Temple leaders knew Jesus was talking about them. But, they were unwilling to accept the rebuke and went off to plan further strategies to get rid of Jesus and cement their own positions in the leadership of the nation. Selfishness plays a big part in maintaining the status quo.
The sad reality was that these were church people who were conspiring to kill Jesus. They wanted to maintain the status quo. Lets not make that mistake today. Blessings
Iam just amazed at the wisdom of the Master, they tried to trap him with question but he seeing through their evil intentions use a question to trap them. He was the greatest psychologist. We can learn so much Jesus
Sir Maurice, You are so right. Our family therapist is a Jew, when we ask questions he always answers with a question.
Jesus knows everyone's hearts. I cannot fool God. He knows my deep intentions and motivations. Thanks to Jesus, the Son of this super-loving God, He can save me from myself and, through His love, change my character into His image. I need to search for Him and allow Him to do so daily.
Christ knows the end from the beginning, the pharisees failed to see their own demise! It is amazing though how sometimes people can try to compromise their faults by reproaching others instead of attending to their own hearts. If people are honest with themselves they'd understandingly know that talking with or by how they treat others should be otherwise different instead of harsh or judgmental!
It is easy to read these stories and associate them only with the behavior of the church leaders of Jesus's day. But if we are not careful, we could easily be doing similar things and not be conscious of it. It is human to do things that are in our best interest, and to refrain from doing things that we consider to be to our disadvantage. This can happy even though the Holy Spirit is urging us in the opposite direction. This is what happened to Jonah. He had a mindset that he will not go to Nineveh because he (Jonah) wanted to be protective of his (Jonah) inner feelings. Jonah hated his God given assignment.
In today's lesson the church leader's reasoning was based on what was and what was not popular. It was not popular for them to acknowledge that John was sent by God, and it was not popular for them to deny it. Their decision making was based on "what is in my best interest."
My dear friends, we will always fall into this trap no matter what we are doing, because we are programmed to behave in this matter. We are human and carnal in nature. We will only behave differently if we are changed by the Holy Spirit. We cannot make this change by ourselves. But the Holy Spirit will only do it if we "hunger and thirst for it."
My prayer for today is, "into to my heart....come into my heart Lord Jesus, come in today, come in to stay, come into my heart Lord Jesus."
Jesus is the Living Word, and His response is that of the Word, in conversation He always represented the Word. Is it the intention of God's Word to trap? Or is it perhaps to reveal? I tend to see as the latter, The Word reveals my thoughts, my motives, my actions, and my words. The Word is the mirror of revelation. Jesus desired for them to see where their mindset was leading them, and how through there actions and words they were building their own prison. Isa. 61 speaks of the prisons we all build for ourselves, it's the goal of the Word to release us from that prison and set the captives free.
The motivation of the man is revealed as we interact with the Word. if I approach the Word knowing a thing I will tell from all of the Word what I know, and everyone I tell will come away knowing what I know, this is like taking all that Father has done and prepared and keeping it to myself to share as I see fit, it can also close me off and only relate to those who see things as I do. This closed mind will eventually lead me to reject even the Author of the Word if His teaching isn't in harmony with my own understanding. As it was then, so it is today.
There's a difference in approach and motivation as it pertains to a Bible study, and the study of the Bible. I have given, and led many Bible studies, I stopped doing that in 2003, I was introduced to the Jewish way of Studying. I no longer approach The Word knowing, no matter how many times I've studied a passage or a verse, I always approach with the mindset of the student, Abba what's the message you have for today, at this moment? I see it as the light of the sun, the sun gives enough light for today, it will all be spent today, none will be left over for tomorrow, tomorrow's light will be fresh and new. The study of The Word will never be exhausted, the gems below the surface are yet to be experienced.
I was once not far off from the mindset of the Scribes and Pharisees, I was totally immersed in doctrine, but God had a different plan for me, and after years of pursuing me, i turned to see what all the fuss was about, I began and followed. The One we serve today is the same One who spoke to the leaders of the church then, and revealed all that was in their heart to do. Look into the mirror of the Word and it will do the same for you today.
Thank you, Joshua, for that insightful comment. I hope we can all follow your example and approach the Bible with this mindset:
You also imply that when we share the Word with others, we do so as fellow students, not as dispensers of doctrine.
Thank you!
Joshua – thank you for sharing how much you enjoy studying the Word of God. Yes, it is truly a special time when we open our mind and heart to the Word of God to meet the Holy Spirit fresh and unincumbered to hear what He will reveal to us today.
I agree - a mindset, cemented in place by doctrines and rigidness in the interpretation of the Word of God, can easily lead to the dismissal of an inspired thought provided by the Holy Spirit “if His teaching isn’t in harmony with my own understanding. As it was then, so it is today.”
I see God's Light revealing to you the error of your mindset as you realized that you were “once not far off from the mindset of the Scribes and Pharisees, I was totally immersed in doctrine, but God had a different plan for me.” I praise God that He pursued you and that you “turned to see what all the fuss was about.” 😊
Thank you for your encouraging comments may the good Lord be with you all.