Read Mark 12 at Bible Gateway.
Mar 12 outline:
Mar 12:1-11, The parable of the owner of the vineyard and the wicked vinedressers;
Mar 12:12, The chief priests, scribes, and elders sought to lay hands on Him but feared the multitude;
Mar 12:13-17, The Pharisees question Jesus about taxes;
Mar 12:18-27, The Sadducees question Jesus about the resurrection;
Mar 12:28-34, A scribe questioned Him about the greatest commandment in the Law;
Mar 12:35-37, Jesus’ question: How can Messiah be David’s son, when David calls him Lord;
Mar 12:38-40, Beware the scribes who love to be seen by men;
Mar 12:41-44, The widow who put in two mites but it was more than the rich gifts of the wealthy
Mar 12:1-40 chiastic structure:
1a) Mar 12:1-9, The parable of the owner of the vineyard (beware of wicked ‘servants’ who will be destroyed);
1b.1) Mar 12:10-11, Have you not read this Scripture: (Messiah: the stone which the builders rejected, Psa 118:22-23);
1b.2) Mar 12:12, The chief priests, scribes, and elders did not hear him gladly;
1c) Mar 12:13-34, The Pharisees + Sadducees + scribes questioned Jesus;
1a) Mar 12:13, They sent to Him Pharisees + Herodians, to catch Him in His words;
1b) Mar 12:14a, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth;”
1c) Mar 12:14b-17, They questioned Him about Caesar’s law (paying taxes) + they marveled at His answer;
1d) Mar 12:18, Then some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, asked Him, saying;
1e) Mar 12:19-22, One woman the wife of seven brothers: they died in turn, and last of all the woman died;
1f) Mar 12:23, In the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be? For all seven had her as wife;
central axis) Mar 12:24, Jesus answered, “Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God?;”
2f) Mar 12:25, When they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven;
2e) Mar 12:26-27a, Concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read/ God is not the God of the dead but of the living;
2d) Mar 12:27b, You are therefore greatly mistaken (about the resurrection);
2c) Mar 12:28-31, A scribe questioned Him about God’s Law (which is the first commandment) + He answered him;
2b) Mar 12:32-34a, The scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth;”
2a) Mar 12:34b, But after that no one dared question Him.
central axis) Mar 12:35a, Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple;
2c) Mar 12:35b, Jesus questioned the Pharisees + Sadducees + scribes;
2b.1) Mar 12:36-37a, Have you not read this Scripture: (David calls the Messiah Lord, Psa 110:1);
2b.2) Mar 12:37b, And the common people heard Him gladly;
2a) Mar 12:38-40, Beware of the scribes (false ‘servants’ who will be condemned);
1a) Mar 12:38a, Then He said to them: Beware of the scribes;
1b) Mar 12:38b, Who desire to go around in long robes;
1c) Mar 12:38c, Love greetings in the marketplaces;
<em>central axis) Mar 12:39, Love the best seats + places in the synagogues + feasts;
2c) Mar 12:40a Who devour widows’ houses;
2b) Mar 12:40b, And for a pretense make long prayers;
2a) Mar 12:40c, They will receive greater condemnation.
In today’s reading, Jesus explains how men become susceptible to great errors in doctrine, and become greatly mistaken. When they know not either the Scriptures, or the power of God, then they are in danger of being greatly mistaken.
And isn’t it interesting that in the ekklesia today, we have hundreds of denominations, differing from each other, who roughly divide into two camps: those who exalt the Word of God, and those who exalt the Spirit of God (the power of God).
The Word of God camp claims the operation of the Spirit has passed away, presumably because they don’t see it happening in their churches. So they do not know the power of God.
And the Spirit of God camp claims that obedience to the Word and its righteous instruction has passed away, presumably because its admonitions cause them discomfort (since they don’t do them). How can you live free in the Spirit when you have to think about rules? So they do not know the Scriptures.
But when we line up in one camp or the other, we are mistaken, for the Scriptures and the power of God are not divided, nor do they disagree.
The Word of God camp, instead of rejecting the power of God, should let these words of Jesus correct them, and repent of error, and ask God to cause them to know the power of God as they know the Scriptures.
The Spirit of God camp, instead of rejecting the instructions of the Scriptures, should let these words of Jesus correct them, and repent of error, and ask God to cause them to know and submit to the Scriptures (yes, including commandments! Just because they are not the agent of salvation does not mean they have no place!) as they have known and submitted to the Spirit.
My home church (I love them to pieces, bless their hearts!) falls in the latter camp, and yes the Spirit does indeed accompany them powerfully in their corporate gathering. But they constantly wonder how it was that the glory of God so powerfully filled the Old Testament Temple, and yet today has not descended upon the New Testament church. Let this admonition for a first witness, and the vision of the Transfiguration for a second witness (Jesus revealed in His glory) answer! For Jesus appeared with both Moses and Elijah, representing the Law or Word and the Spirit or power. ♥
Leave a Reply