Mark 12-14

Mark 12

Parable of the Tenants

• Jesus tells a parable:
  • a man plants a vineyard
  • leases it to tenants
• He sends servants but they are beaten, shamed, killed
• Finally sends his beloved son “They will respect my son”
• Tenants:
  • kill the son
  • try to take inheritance
• Jesus asks: what will the owner do?
• Answer:
  • destroy tenants
  • give vineyard to others
  • “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone”
• Leaders:
  • realize He is speaking about them
  • want to arrest Him

Paying Taxes to Caesar

• Pharisees and  Herodians try to trap Him
• Question: “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?”
• Jesus:
  • asks for a coin
  • “Whose image?”  Caesar
• Answer: “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s” “and to God what is God’s”
• they marvel at Him

Question About the Resurrection

• Sadducees (deny resurrection) challenge Him
• Hypothetical: woman marries 7 brothers- who will she be married to in heaven?
• Jesus responds:
  • they don’t understand Scripture or power of God
  • in resurrection:
    • no marriage
    • like angels
•  “I am the God of Abraham…”
  • God of the living – they will be resurrected 

The Greatest Commandment

• A scribe asks: “Which commandment is most important?”
• Jesus answers:
  • Love God with:
    • all heart
    • soul
    • mind
    • strength
  • Love neighbor as yourself
• Scribe affirms
• Jesus says:“You are not far from the kingdom of God”

Whose Son Is the Christ?

• Jesus asks: how can the Christ be David’s son?
• Quotes Psalms 110: “The Lord said to my Lord…”
  • Messiah is David’s son
  • And He is David’s Lord

Warning Against the Scribes

• They:
  • love status and recognition
  • devour widows’ houses
  • pray for appearance
• Jesus warns they will receive greater condemnation

The Widow’s Offering

• People give large amounts
• A poor widow gives two small coins
• Jesus says she gave more than all
  • others gave from abundance
  • she gave all she had

Mark 13

• Disciples admire the temple
• Jesus says:“Not one stone will be left upon another”
• On the Mount of Olives disciples ask when will this happen?
• Jesus warns:
  • do not be led astray
  • many will come in His name
• Events:
  • wars and rumors of wars
  • earthquakes
  • famines
  •  “These are the beginning of birth pains”
• Disciples will be handed over, beaten brought before rulers to bear witness
  • Spirit will give words
  • family betrayal
  • They must endure to the end

The Abomination of Desolation

• Refers to something standing where it should not be
• Urgent warning to flee immediately
• signs:
  • sun darkened
  • stars falling
• Then:
  • Son of Man comes in clouds
  • with power and glory
• He gathers His elect

Lesson of the Fig Tree

• When branches become tender then summer is near
• So also when you see these things then He is near
• “this generation will not pass away until all these things take place”

No One Knows the Day or Hour

• Not even angels
• Not even the Son (in His earthly role)
• Only the Father
• Stay awake!! Be ready!!

Mark 14

Chief priests and scribes seek to arrest Jesus secretly and avoid doing it during feast (fear crowd)

Anointing at Bethany

• In Bethany at Simon the leper’s house
• A woman pours costly ointment on Jesus’ head
• Some complain:
  • waste of money
• Jesus says:
  • she has done a beautiful thing
  • prepared Him for burial
  • her act will be remembered

Judas’ Betrayal

• Judas Iscariot goes to leaders
• Offers to betray Jesus
• They promise him money

The Passover (Last Supper)

• Disciples prepare Passover
• Jesus says one of you will betray Me
• They ask: “Is it I?”
• Jesus identifies the one who dips bread with Him

Lord’s Supper

• Jesus takes bread “This is My body”
• Takes cup “This is My blood of the covenant” poured out for many
• Says will not drink again until kingdom
• Jesus says all will fall away
  • Peter insists he will not
    • Jesus “before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times”

Gethsemane

• Jesus goes to Gethsemane and takes Peter, James, John
• Soul is deeply troubled
• “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death”
• “Abba, Father… remove this cup… yet not what I will, but what You will”
• Disciples:
  • fall asleep repeatedly

Betrayal and Arrest

• Judas arrives with crowd
  • Gives a kiss to signal 
• Jesus arrested and disciples flee

Jesus Before the Council

• False witnesses testify and testimonies don’t agree
• High priest asks “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”
• Jesus answers:
  • “I am” 
  • “you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power…”
• They accuse Him of blasphemy and condemn Him to death

Peter Denies Jesus

• Peter in the courtyard is recognized three times
• He denies and even calls down curses
• Rooster crows twice
• Peter remembers Jesus’ words and breaks down and weeps

Application

Jesus calls us to stay watchful and faithful, especially when life is hard or uncertain. We are destined to fail, just like the disciples at times. However, we can learn from our mistakes and consistently turn back to God . Following God means choosing His will over our comfort,no matter the cost.