Our stony heart idols cannot be removed,
they can only be replaced by the One who turns a heart of stone into a heart of flesh.
It is only when we are captivated by something greater than our idols,
that we can experience victory from the chains that bind us.
This week we again see the Pharisees trapped by their idol of power,
hardening their hearts against Jesus.
But we also see one man who is being wooed toward
the One who can set him free.
So our symbol for the week is a heart transplant.
In February I spent time with Lee and Vince Petno, dear friends that Steve and I met in Akron, when both the men were doing medical residencies. I met Vince’s wife Lee, and invited her to Bible study. She was a practicing Catholic and refused, saying, “My church takes care of that.” She had religion, like the Pharisees in Mark 12, but not a relationship with Jesus.” But I gently persisted and she finally came and received “a heart transplant.” She changed so dramatically that her husband, Vince, was intrigued. Lee, obeying 1 Peter 3:1-2 literally, didn’t say a word, hoping to win him without a word.
When Vince met me he asked, “Are you the one responsible for the change in my wife?”
I laughed and said, “No! That would be Jesus.”
“Really!” He looked amazed but it put him on a pursuit for truth. He went on a Catholic retreat called Cursillo (similar to the Protestant “Walk to Emmaus”) and God found him. Vince and Lee eventually left Catholicism, but have been passionate for the Lord all these forty plus years. Last Friday I got an e-mail from Lee saying, “I am still in the afterglow of my salvation.” Vince spoke at Steve’s funeral, saying, ” I could fix other peoples’ hearts, but not my own.” He explained how God gave him a heart transplant! (Sometimes he tells people, “I had a heart transplant when I was in training to be a cardiologist.” They are amazed and asked him to tell them about it! Isn’t that a great segway into a testimony? 🙂
Isn’t that a great way to describe the expulsive power of a new affection?
I am not ashamed of the gospel for it has the POWER to drive out religion, idols, and darkness. We watched Lee and Vince live for the Lord, and then, their children, and now, their nine grandchildren! What power there is in the gospel!
When Vince retired from his practice of cardiology, he began a factory in Ohio to make mobility carts to help the handicapped in third world countries. Now they are in Florida, living in a retirement/assisted living community that also has one of these factories. When I visited, Vince had just returned from an African tour to check on how the carts were doing, and what was needed. Watch this and be inspired! Vince said, “When we give them a cart, we tell them where the love comes from.”
I’m looking forward to your thoughts on Friday, for it may be controversial, and I so appreciate the depth here. This week’s passage is not covered by Keller in his book, though I surely would have loved to know how he interprets the story of the widow’s mite!
Highlight from Last Week:
I can’t say it enough. I love the interaction, the iron sharpening iron aspect of our blog.
You dance on the table when there are answers to prayer — I saw it with Jennifer’s answer concerning her daughter and Bing’s answer concerning helping her students in a time of Covid 19.
You share wonderful posts of songs and more. I asked Lizzy to send me this when she wrote about it on the blog concerning the Easter service from her church last week. Their Philip is the last little boy to sing — and then Nila posted the same song done by another group. Though we are self-sheltering, we are inter-acting, not neglecting the fellowship of the saints!
Sunday:
- What stands out to you from the above and why?
- Share one specific way your heart has been changed by Jesus. Share also one way you still need a stone changed to flesh.
Monday: Let Us Kill Him, and the Inheritance Will be Ours
3. Read Mark 12:1-12
A. Summarize what happens in this parable.
B. Whom do you think the various tenants represent?
C. Why did the final tenants want to kill the Son? (verse 7)
D. What does Jesus mean by verse 10?
E. Why did the Pharisees decide not to try to arrest Jesus?
4. What idols do you see at work in the hearts of the Pharisees? What motivated
them to harden their hearts?
5. Do you have an idol you run to for your needs? How do you harden your heart
against the Lord when He whispers to you to come to Him instead? What lies have
you believed?
6. How might you pray for yourself to overcome your heart idols today?
Tuesday: Avoiding a Heart Transplant
Kathy Troccoli tells of her own heart transplant. As a young woman she was intrigued by a lifeguard at the pool who loved Jesus. She and Kathy had many discussions, but Kathy was always trying to outwit her with hard questions, in an attempt to avoid Jesus. Finally this young woman said, “I can’t answer all your questions, Kathy — but no matter what, one day every knee will bow to Jesus — some who are saved and some who are lost. You will bow too.” That put the fear of God into Kathy and softened her heart.
Here we see the Pharisees and the Sadducees coming to Jesus with hard questions, hoping to trap him, avoiding their own heart transplants.
7. Read Mark 12:13-17
A. How were the Pharisees trying to trap Jesus — hoping He would show disrespect for
Caesar? How did He escape their trap?
B. Do you see any practical applications from Jesus’ answer? If so, what?
8. Read Mark 12:18-27
A. How were the Sadducees trying to show Jesus that He was wrong to teach there was
a resurrection?
B. What does He tell them that shows the error of their thinking?
C. Some have taken verse 25 to mean we will become angels. What point is Jesus
actually making?
D. What do you learn about the resurrection from Jesus’ answer?
Wednesday: Very Close to A Heart Transplant
9. Read Mark 12:28-34
A. What is the scribe’s question and Jesus answer?
B. What is the scribe’s response and Jesus response to him?
10. Meditate on verse 30, asking the Spirit to illumine you for your own life. What do you
see?
11. How might you incorporate the above into prayer?
12. I keep going back to the different way liberal churches and traditional (meaning the way the churches were when they originated) churches see the purpose of the church. Liberal churches jump right to the second commandment, minimizing the first. Why is the first vital?
Thursday: Beware of Obstacles to Heart Transplants
Many today see Jesus as a great teacher or prophet, but do not honor Him as Lord. Unless we believe He is Lord, we will never have a heart transplant.
13. How does Jesus use the very words that scribes have written down to prove to them
that He is Lord? (Mark 12:35-37)
Because our hearts are idol making factories (Calvin) we need regular help in turning the stones in our hearts back to flesh. Our idols are the stones. Take heed to the following warning of Christ.
14. Of what does Jesus warn in Mark 12:38-40? What do you think are the idols that lead
to pretense and concern over outward appearance?
15. How might you earnestly pray for yourself in regard to the above?
Friday: The Widow’s Mite — More Here Than We Might Realize
Usually this passage is used as a lesson in generosity, and I’m not disputing that. I do think Jesus is commending the widow. But, when you look at the context, might there be another lesson here? First, I’d like to see if you see what I believe I see — and then I’ll jump in and tell you my perspective.
16. As you look at the context of all of Mark 12, what would you say has been the general
condition of the hearts of the religious leaders?
17. First bookend to Widow’s Mite: Read Mark 12:40 and describe what injustice the
religious leaders have practiced.
18. Read Mark 12:41-44.
A. Describe the scene, noting any detail you can. (Sometimes reading out loud helps
you see more.)
B. What in particular do you see in the description of the widow?
19. Second bookend to widow’s mite. Read Mark 13:1-2, remembering that chapter
divisions are not inspired. What is the second bookend to the widow’s mite story?
20. Do you think Jesus is teaching more here than just a lesson on generosity? If so, what?
(I am going to jump in with my thoughts after several of you speculate. Hoping for a good discussion.)
Saturday:
21. What is your take-a-way and why?
167 comments
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
That’s a beautiful story about Vince and Lee and how they came to know Him personally. I continue to have many questions, personally, about different denominations though. I do see people who are Catholic and seem to have a rich, personal relationship with Jesus. I think of Audrey Assad who expresses that faith in her music. I also believe that the current pope, Francis, has a deep faith, not just an observance of religion. The book discussion group that I’m currently in, which is at an Episcopalian church, though now we’re meeting through Zoom online, has started a new book about the life of St. Francis of Assisi. It’s very interesting to me to learn about the life of this medieval saint and the history of those times. This biography of St. Francis makes it very clear that Francis’ faith was firmly living out the gospel according to the beliefs and practices of the church, under the authority of the pope. The book describes, from the writings of Francis’ testament, his conversion experience from a spoiled, wealthy young man, to one who was drawn to serve the lepers. He wrote, “for when I was in sin, it seemed too bitter for me to see lepers. And the Lord himself led me among them and I showed mercy to them. And when I left them, what had seemed bitter to me was turned into sweetness of soul and body. And afterwards, I delayed a little and left the world.” That sounds like a heart transformation to me, that his heart was captivated by something, or Someone, greater than his idols.
2. Share one specific way your heart has been changed by Jesus. Share also one way you still need a stone changed to flesh.
I became a very different person from the one I was as a teenager, as I was in my college years, and as a young woman in her early 20’s. I was very self-absorbed, self-centered, and selfish. Helping others, though not that I never did, was not my first thought or priority. I believe God gave me patience and the willingness to serve others. Though I truly loved my firstborn son, I had a lot of anger and resentment at first, during that exhausting period of time when he was a newborn. For the first time in my life, I couldn’t do what I wanted to do, when I wanted to do it. There were days I didn’t get dressed or even brush my teeth…and this was a person who had spent an hour or two on her appearance, getting ready for school or to go out with her friends. I even see a difference in myself in regard to my role as a nurse. I believe knowing Jesus has matured me in many ways.
Of course, I still have more than one “stone” that needs changing. There is one person I still often chafe at serving, and that is my husband, because of the resentment I often feel towards him. The other day, during a time of prayer and reflection, I believe I had a small breakthrough in regard to my idol of power/control and my words. I was thinking about words, and listening. A devotional I read said that the word listen means “to honor”. I was thinking about important words, last words, likely because one day this week, my dad called me to say goodbye. He had a stroke last weekend and is not doing well. I cannot see him because of the coronavirus; he lives with my sister and she will not let anyone come into her home because her husband also has severe COPD due to many years of heavy smoking. (I am praying that God will not take my dad home before I am able to see him in person) Because I initially missed his call, my dad left me a voicemail, so now I also have a recording of those words, and then I got to talk to him when I called him back. But my thoughts on this later were that our words, in some way, embody our very life; they contain the essence of who we are. Words embody the one speaking them; give a body to the one speaking them. Words can be an offering of yourself to another, your heart, your very being, wrapped and contained in your words. That’s why, I thought, I get the sense when I read the Bible that they are not just words on a page, but the words embody Someone; give a “body” to God.
But then I thought of how many verses there are about how our words can be like a sword, stabbing and wounding someone. And it hit me, the reality of what I am doing when I lose my temper, mostly with my husband, and say horrible things to him. I am wrapped up in those hurtful words, stabbing, hurting, murdering…that’s what Jesus meant when He talked about a person yelling, “You fool!” and being in danger of the fire of hell. And so I had a time of confession and repentance before God about my words and those instances. I hope that I am on the real road to transformation and change.
Susan, what a difficult time with your father! My heart goes out to you… I am praying for that situation and your heart this morning.
A beautiful reflective post, like you, Susan.
I can identify with your being matured by motherhood — my situation was similar. And I love the idea of listening meaning “to honor.”
How wonderful you have those words of your dad recorded, and I do pray you’ll be able to see him before heaven.
Awe, Susan, such honesty. Praying for you. God is working. ❤️ I have also felt a similar conviction regarding my words.
Susan, there’s SO MUCH in your post that fits with what I’ve been pondering in past months (and some of it relates to “evangelicalism” in the US today). I’ve been digging in to the whole concept of embodiment in Scripture (long story, but so much of my career/life/even spiritual life has been ultra-cognitive and…). Any chance you can see your dad through Zoom, Facetime, or something similar — and that he and you can have a recording of it. Praying for you as you navigate this challenge.
Renee, sometimes my sister will, using her cellphone, do a Facetime call with my dad so that I can “see” him. Interesting how you are seeking, searching, and digging, too….for me, I have come to realize that I’m pretty good at the intellectual part of knowing Scripture, but weaker in the knowing “by experience”, as in internalizing and putting it into practice part! Yesterday, during our Zoom book discussion meeting on the St. Francis of Assisi book, we had a good discussion about Communion in the church. The book, of course, described Francis’ convictions that the elements, as according to Catholic teaching, are changed into the real body and blood of Christ. I asked our leader, who is the assistant reverend at the church (her name is also Susan) what do Episcopalians believe about Communion, and she said that they believe that the two coexist together in the bread and wine. But then, she described that once while she was in South Bend, Indiana, she went to a Catholic church where they were having Eucharistic adoration, and she described how she watched as the priest held up the Eucharist and then proceeded to wrap it, somehow, in a cloth; almost, she said, like a mother would; it was like he was caring for the broken body of the Lord, and how she started to weep. She said that it is a mystery as to how the Holy Spirit works in each of us when we take communion. That has given me something to think about.
Susan, I’ve talked to my pastor about this, too. He has told me more about how the temple was (noisy!) and about some earlier forms of the church that were more experiential vs some now that primarily involve sitting in pews/chairs and learning with our heads. I remember once in a sermon, he said he likes incense in personal worship but his wife doesn’t. I kinda think a lot of incense stinks — but that also opened me up (opened my brain up!) to broader forms of worship. I also appreciate Laura’s worship dance even more because that would have been banned by some people or in certain eras in churches I attended. (so I smile now when I see hints of choreography in churches where specific people banned it in the past).
Oh Susan, how hard this time is for you. What a blessing that you missed your Dad’s call so you will always have him with you now. Prayers for you, your father and your relationship with your husband. I have had the same mumbling and grumbling toward him and trying, and slowly I’m turning, to see him as Jesus sees me. A sinner that is broken and imperfect. Wow this is a hard thing to do. Prayers for you all. Hugs!
oh Susan. tears on this whole post. your heart is so tender, so mold-able, so play dough! Please Lord, have mercy on Susan and her Dad and please allow her to see him again before You take him home to You. Thank You for the words of life You have given Susan–from her Dad, from You. ~
Susan, I always love your ponderings. And am sorry about your Dad and not being able to see him at this time. Prayers that you will be able to see him if soon would be his time. I feel you. I wish Mom was here where I can care for her.
Oh Bing, I feel for you too, with your mom being all the way in the Philippines….that’s so hard.
Sunday
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Oh, Dee, what you posted was the shot in the arm I needed. How you were used of God to lead Lee to Jesus, which in turn brought Vince to receive his “heart transplant” and then God used him to build these mobile carts. I cried while watching the video of the mobility carts…living in Africa I saw a great need for these. It filled my heart as they got in their carts and to see the joy on their faces. The song the kids sang on the video is beautiful and they did such a wonderful job…Lizzy, your son is adorable!
I’d like to know more about your time in Africa. When? What were you doing?
My parents were Missionaries to the Congo under the Conservative Baptist Foreign Mission Society. It was over a period of 6 years between 1962-1972 with furloughs intermixed. My parents took care of missionary kids while they were in school, grade 1-6. Because of political unrest in the Congo the school was moved from Rwanda to Kenya to Uganda over three of those years. It was an experience I will always treasure.
Sharon, I didn’t realize you had been in Africa. My husband and I were in Kenya for three years (1987-1990). He taught at a small Bible school and I home-schooled my three children and worked at the Bible school library. Precious memories!
Explains in part the richness Sharon and Diane bring to this blog.
Oh Diane, I know you and your family were richly blessed! Would love to know which part of Kenya your were in? Also, I like that you homeschooled. I wonder if more missionaries do that now rather than sending kids off to a boarding school? I was lucky enough to live with my parents and go to school but I saw how hard it was for the other kids that were away from their parents…3 months at a time!
Sharon, we lived in the village of Mitaboni (Machakos area) of Kenya about an hour east of Nairobi. Our oldest son attended Rift Valley Academy for two years. (Home schooling did not work so well with him!) Do you know the area?
Diane, We always traveled through Uganda to Kenya so we came from the north of Nairobi…never made it down southeast of Nairobi, so not familiar with that area. I also went to RVA in 1972 for just one semester…great memories!! What a small world
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? The video of the carts brought tears … and confusion. There are SO many people that need help. I often feel overwhelmed at the magnitude of need of hurting people in the world… am often jealous of people who have found their calling in one way to spread love… wishing I had a specific project to work at to spread the love of Jesus.
2. Share one specific way your heart has been changed by Jesus. Share also one way you still need a stone changed to flesh. Jesus has opened my eyes to the hurt of people (all of whom are His creation), the depth of people’s hurt and lies believed that lead to choices of self-preservation. To finally not see myself as center and ‘deserving’ but as a umbrella servant of the Most High God. My stone heart still needs softened to trust the Holy Spirit in changing others hearts instead of trusting my own futile, scared efforts, which, ironically I do not trust because I know I am flawed and instead of boldly trusting Jesus I allow myself to be scared and attempt very little thinking that “I will offend” instead of “God is powerful to do what He wills.”.
Jill — your thoughts remind me of an interview of Mother Theresa on a morning talk show. They kept posing to her the question, “There are so many people in need that you can’t help, why are you helping the ones you do?” She kept asking them to repeat the question because she couldn’t understand it. It is so true there is so much need, but God sees what we do. He sees what you are doing Jill, there as a nurse, and is pleased! I hope you see this as encouragement. I see your heart of mercy in your concern for all, but want you to know He sees you and what you are doing.
Jill, thank you for praying for my situation above; I appreciate it very much. I can relate to your feeling overwhelmed at all the needs out there…once when listening to a podcast, the guest talked about a similar thing, and said that a good rule to follow is what he called the “three foot rule”. Ask yourself, what’s three feet around me. and what can I do to help? The people that are within our reach, sometimes right in front of us.
Susan, this 3 foot rule compounds my conviction regarding changes in my heart and work I am called to in my own family. This work is not easy. I can go a long time ignoring it. Especially, when busy with life outside the home. Harder to ignore now.
Sharon, that IS a good rule. Thank you for sharing it with me.
Ugh … SUSAN! Not Sharon … autocorrect… sorry!
Susan, the 3-foot rule. That is a great rule. Wow-that has great implications for me.
Sunday
2. Share one specific way your heart has been changed by Jesus?
He changed my heart in the area of anger. Due to events that happened in my childhood I grew into a very angry adult. God sent me a mentor who prayed with me and gave me a book to read (I cannot remember the title or author) as she saw the hold it had on my life. The one thing I remember and still practice today from the book is “respond, don’t react.” It wasn’t a change that happened overnight but if it wasn’t for Christ within me and much prayer it would still have a hold on me today. Share also one way you still need a stone changed into flesh.
A spirit of criticism.
Respond, don’t react. So good.
I loved that too. I sometimes have to not say anything at the moment because I will react before responding.
Sharon, I think about this a lot: to respond, not react. This happened to me a couple of weeks ago while on the phone with my sister. She made a snide comment to me, being critical of me, and I immediately reacted and said with my voice a bit raised, “You can’t talk to me like that”, to which she promptly hung up on me. And I was SO angry. In retrospect, I could see that I reacted instead of responded, which at that time, my response might better have been just to let it slide as if I didn’t take any notice of what she said.
A second lesson: respond, don’t react. Wow again!
1. What stands out for me? It all was wonderful! I was especially touched by the opportunity for the crippled ones in Kenya, by the carts made by the factory Vince was providing! Yes, they will know Jesus’ transforming power in this tangible way.
I always love children’s sweet expressions and joy as they sing!
2. God has changed me by giving me confidence and trust- in Him. I once had that feeling of not being enough, thinking I had to work harder, to be more deserving of his love. I am still in need of change in the area of a critical spirit. I am struggling with this, to let God mold me into his image.
What stood out to me is your opening quote which I’ve read on here before… Our stony heart idols cannot be removed, they can only be replaced by the One who turns a heart of stone into a heart of flesh. It is only when we are captivated by something greater than our idols, that we can experience victory from the chains that bind us.
My heart has been changed from a state of ungratefulness to one of growing gratitude❤️Lord, I still need to have You do that deep work in my heart to uproot bitterness.
Great testimony and awareness, Lucy.
Oh my heart! I just loved seeing Philip in the video and oh how he has grown! His sweet personality comes out and he is so happy and healthy. I admire Lizzy and her husband for how they listened to God and pursued this sweet boy.
I also loved the story of Dee and Steve’s friend Vince and his wife Lee. God can change any heart and make it new. Just to think how beautiful and all-knowing God is, that He knew ahead and drew Vince and Lee to Himself and drew those people through Vince and Lee who needed those carts made. So amazing.
2. Share one specific way your heart has been changed by Jesus. Share also one way you still need a stone changed to flesh.
1. I am more aware of my idolatry than I was before I came on this blog and oh did he change my heart. Even in the trial I am now facing I see some stones of relational idolatry and comfort/security idolatry and am asking Him to change me. I am also praying for this other person’s heart to change and melt for Jesus. That is His Spirit in me empowering me to pray and not fall apart. He is holding me up. 🙂
Would love everyone’s prayers for Rebecca — she is in the crucible.
Praying for you, Rebecca!
Praying, Rebecca. Hugs to you!
Lord, we lift up Rebecca and this situation she is in. You know the hearts of all involved and only you and be the Only Thing that will replace the hardened hearts. Lead Rebecca as you want, help her to feel your presence and know what her next move should be. Keep her still until she hears and melt the heart of the other person involved in this. They need your help a well and you know where they stand with you. We stand in agreement with Rebecca Lord that you will take hold of this situation and everyone in it. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
Amen.
Oh wow, brought me to tears. Thanks soooooo much Dee and everyone.
Yes, prayers for you, Rebecca. Understanding that relational idolatry, yes…
Sweet Rebecca, I pray this for you from Colossians 1 –
God, give Rebecca complete knowledge of Your spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way she lives will always honor and please You and her life will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while she will grow as she learns to know You better and better. May she be strengthened with all Your glorious power so she may have all the endurance and patience she needs. May she always be filled with joy – always thanking the Father. Amen
Amen!
3. Read Mark 12:1-12
A. Summarize what happens in this parable.
There was a man who planted a vineyard and dug a pit for the winepress in anticipation of the crop. He himself went away on a journey, but left some farmers in charge of his vineyard. When harvesttime came, the man returned to collect some of the fruits of the harvest; he sent several servants on his behalf, but each time, the tenants of the vineyard either beat or killed the man’s servants. Finally, he sent his own son, thinking they would respect him. But the tenants reasoned that this was the man’s heir; if they killed him, everything would be theirs, so that’s what they did. Jesus said there would be nothing left for the man to do but to kill these tenants and give his vineyard to others.
B. Whom do you think the various tenants represent?
The people of Israel represent the first group of tenants? The Gentiles would represent the ones when it says the man will give his vineyard to “others”? Or the various tenants (I’m not seeing that there were several groups of tenants) were the different kings of Israel?
C. Why did the final tenants want to kill the son? (verse 7)
They said of the son that this is the man’s heir; if they kill him, then the man’s inheritance would be theirs.
D. What does Jesus mean by verse 10?
I believe this Scripture refers to Jesus Himself. He is the “stone” that the builders rejected. The Jews, or a lot of them, rejected Him. Yet He became “the capstone”. I think the capstone refers to Jesus being like the foundation upon which something is built. I am not sure exactly what this particular type of stone is, though. A capstone is a stone fixed on top of something; usually a wall. I’m not a builder so I don’t understand the metaphor.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I am fascinated and touched by the mobility carts that your friend is producing. They are relatively low tech (Presumably inexpensive) but they make such a difference to those with mobility issues. Because I lived in Kenya for 3 years and saw for myself many who live without limbs or disabled in some way with no wheelchairs or other aids, I know this would make such a difference. Tears in my eyes here. The people of Kenya are deep in my heart!
Yes! And I love how this retirement/assisted living village in Florida is using the talents of the elderly to make them.
Monday
3. Read Mark 12:1-12
A. Summarize what happens in this parable.
A man plants a vineyard, leases it to tenant farmers and moves to another country. Harvest time he sends servants to collect a share of the crop but the farmers beat him up and send him back empty handed. The owner continues to send servants whom the farmers beat up or kill. He finally sends his son thinking they’ll respect him, but the farmers seeing that it was the heir of the estate, killed him and would get the estate for themselves. What will the owner of the vineyard do? He’ll kill those farmers and lease it to others.
B. Whom do you think the various tenants represent?
I think they represent Israel and the religious leaders – Pharisees and Sadducees
C. Why did the final tenants want to kill the Son? (verse 7)
They wanted the estate for themselves.
D. What does Jesus mean by verse 10?
The stone represents Jesus, who was rejected by His own people. He becomes the cornerstone…we have a friend who is a contractor say, the cornerstone is laid first and it’s from that stone you continue building in order to get everything right.
E. Why did the Pharisees decide not to try to arrest Jesus?
They were afraid of the crowd
4. What idols do you see at work in the hearts of the Pharisees? What motivate them to harden their hearts?
Power, control and pride. They knew the story was about them – they were the wicked farmers. I think what hardened their hearts was losing the approval of the people and their status of being “religious “ leaders.
5. Do you have an idol you run to for your needs? How do you harden your heart against the Lord when He whispers to you to come to Him instead? What lies have you believed?
Yes. I harden my heart by doing what I want to do. God can’t possibly meet that need. He doesn’t understand.
6. How might you pray for yourself to overcome your heart idols today?
Lord, help me to see my idols as getting in the way of my walk with You. When I am tempted to run to them to fill my needs, I ask You to remind me how disgusting and empty they are and that it is only in You that my needs are truly met. Give me a heart of true repentance towards these ugly idols.
1. What stands out/why?
1) “living in a retirement/assisted living community that also has one of these factories” — Wow! I know of retirement communities in FL that seem to have the opposite reputation. This amazes me.
2) The smiles in the videos
3) “I’m looking forward to your thoughts on Friday, for it may be controversial, and I so appreciate the depth here.” Um, my first reaction is “uh-oh, where’s Dee going with this?” (smile)
2. Share one specific way your heart has been changed by Jesus. Share also one way you still need a stone changed to flesh.
-Area where my heart has been changed: compassion for “the least of these” — He has continued to change me in this area, increasing the groups of people I now each decade since I was an adolescent.
-independence — and associated fear of relying on others and/or too proud to ask for help until something is complete disaster (ranging from health to work). This spreads to my relationship with Him — and then I get in phases where I am blind to my complete dependence on Him/my sinfulness — until that cycle of independence starts crashing in again. He has changed me in slowing that cycle — and stopping it before the consequences get as bad, but as I reflect on this now, I see it still it there and maybe even in some way, the flipside of compassion for others. (not sure this even is making sense because it’s hard for me to describe).
It’s Penney Farms — about an hour from Jax.
Dee, I investigated;) If I wanted to move to FL and if I wanted to live in a CCRC, this would be my first choice! I love that it is based on volunteerism. Personally, I like more intergenerational living — at least as long as possible. The Penney Farms model helps me think about how intergenerational volunteerism can be better incorporated into community-based and/or intergenerational living models.
What is interesting, Renee, is though while Penney Farms isn’t really inter-generational, it is a mixture of conservative and liberal church-goers. Many liberal churches who don’t grasp the gospel do believe in social justice, so there are still plenty of opportunities for the believers to evangelize, which my friends are doing.
3. Read Mark 12:1-12
A. Summarize what happens in this parable. A man first did A LOT of work/expense planting and fencing a vineyard, digging a winepress pit, and building a tower. Then he leased it to tenants to take care of it while he went away. At harvest time, he sent many servants back (sounds like one at a time) to get some of the fruit from the harvest. The tenants either beat them up without sending back any fruit or killed them. Then he sent his son, and the tenants killed him, too, thinking that it they killed the heir, they could keep the harvest and the vineyard. The owner would then destroy the first tenants and give the vineyard to others. B. Whom do you think the various tenants represent? Israel’s leaders throughout history, including Pharisees?
C. Why did the final tenants want to kill the Son? (verse 7) so that they wouldn’t have to give anything back to the vineyard owner. They thought if they killed the son, the harvest and the vineyard would be theirs.
D. What does Jesus mean by verse 10? He was quoting Psalm 118:22 — which was Messianic.
E. Why did the Pharisees decide not to try to arrest Jesus? they were afraid of the people because they suspected that they were the tenants in the parable — not so good for them if the people figured that out.
4. What idols do you see at work in the hearts of the Pharisees? they wanted to be in charge (Right about now, I’m wishing I would have chosen another answer for #2), both of the vineyard and what it produced What motivated them to harden their hearts? if they looked at their own hearts, they would have to acknowledge their sin. So, pride (and I think I used that word in answering question 2, too)
5. Do you have an idol you run to for your needs? see above How do you harden your heart against the Lord when He whispers to you to come to Him instead? distraction What lies have you believed? that (fill in the blank) won’t hurt as much (or cost as much) if I “do it myself” or don’t think about it.
6. How might you pray for yourself to overcome your heart idols today? reaching out to, bowing before Him in repentance– and getting off the computer soon after finishing this.
Great, Renee. I do think the Pharisees too as they had murder in mind for the greatest prophet, the Son.
Sunday:
What stands out to you from the above and why?
The first thing that stood out was the lifelong friendship you have had with the Petno’s and how God has moved in the lives of so many, how neat that you participated in what he was doing by pursuing Lee 🙂
I spent some time this morning doing some preliminary things one must do to be certified as a foster care provider in our state. We have talked about doing this before, but our schedules and the fact that the classes were offered at less than optimal times had stopped us. They are available online now because of the pandemic.
Having all this downtime is a chance to reassess and redirect if you feel led will you pray for us, for wisdom and guidance?
I would like to make a difference for someone, to be a part of what God is up to in the world.
Share one specific way your heart has been changed by Jesus. Share also one way you still need a stone changed to flesh.
One way my heart has been changed is that I have grown less confident in myself and more confident in Jesus, I keep being brought back to this but I am changed.One place where my heart is still really hard is in the way I am still drawn to not want to engage in conflict even when conflict is what would be best…I am afraid of it, I avoid it because it is uncomfortable for me. There are times when the truth cannot be spoken in love without bringing about the possibility of conflict. I am still much too tied to the approval of people. I can imagine being truly loving enough to risk someone I loves disapproval because what I need to say is what is best for them, but I need help/heart change to be so fearless.
Lord you see the hearts of Chris and her husband and I believe that this virus, so sad for all those affected, is in place for some to rest and listen to what you are saying to us. We do have more time on our hands and the world is learning to adapt to doing things virtually. If the timing is right for Chris and her husband, let all things fall in to place with the classes and the fostering. The child placed with them will be blessed beyond measure. I pray and stand in agreement with Chris. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
Chris I will pray for you and the foster parent idea.
Chris–your last paragraph is so filled with honesty and truth–and something my husband has shared a similar struggle with–this fear of conflict (I’m not fond of it either!) but I love how you worded this–” I can imagine being truly loving enough to risk someone I loves disapproval because what I need to say is what is best for them, but I need help/heart change to be so fearless.”
Actually–I just shared this with him and he was so moved by it. thank you
Chris, I so get what you are saying about engaging in conflict when it what would be best. I, too am afraid of it but I have been finding myself, a little more fearless. I just pray that I am doing it in love and God would help me overcome my discomfort. Praying for you about the foster care idea.
Oh Father, I do pray for wisdom for Chris and her husband in foster care. I ask that You would guide them clearly. Thank You for Chris’ heart and growing confidence in You! IN Jesus name
Identify about conflict — good to be hesitant about speaking out, yet good to realize also how mightily God might use it — and I so know you would do it in love. Simply need His discernment.
Amen! I ponder this very concern. Need discernment, right attitude and words…
Monday: Let Us Kill Him, and the Inheritance Will be Ours
3. Read Mark 12:1-12
A. Summarize what happens in this parable.
The tenants of a vineyard do violence to the representatives that the owner sends to collect his portion of the harvest, finally even killing his son and resulting in their own destruction.
B. Whom do you think the various tenants represent?
The religious leaders who instead of being God’s faithful servants become addicted to the power and position they enjoy, they are serving themselves and not God.
C. Why did the final tenants want to kill the Son? (verse 7)
They think that they will own it all if the heir is dead.
D. What does Jesus mean by verse 10?
That thought they, the builders/religuos leaders are rejecting Jesus, God has chosen him as the most important piece of what he is building.
E. Why did the Pharisees decide not to try to arrest Jesus?
They were afraid of the crowd
4. What idols do you see at work in the hearts of the Pharisees? What motivated them to harden their hearts?
I suppose power/control and the fear of man?
They feared losing the bit of control and security that they felt was under their control.
5. Do you have an idol you run to for your needs? How do you harden your heart against the Lord when He whispers to you to come to Him instead? What lies have you believed?
I run to comfort, I fear stress and failure.I harden my heart when I retreat when God asks me to risk something.
The lies I believe…ugh…that I am unloved, that my gifts aren’t worth much at all, that I am so lazy that God has given up on trying with me. That I need to be doing something more so that God will think I am worthwhile.
I do want to be different.
6. How might you pray for yourself to overcome your heart idols today?
I pray that I would do the work of trusting you Lord, trusting that you really are the author and finisher of my faith. Help me know your voice so that I will recognize the lies of the enemy quickly.Help me see myself as your beloved child. Teach me how to find refuge in you.
I ask that you really would fill me with joy and peace as I trust in you, make me to overflow with hope by the power of your spirit.
3. Read Mark 12:1-12
A. Summarize what happens in this parable. A man planted and carefully set up a vineyard and then leased to it to tenants (i assume this lease was based of the profit of the vineyard and not a monthly fee as we would expect nowadays). When the man (the true owner) sent servants and then his son to retrieve some of the fruit of the vineyard (that he planted and initiated and the tenants maintained) the tenants refused, beating the servants and killing the son with the intent of keeping all the vineyard and its fruit to themselves.
B. Whom do you think the various tenants represent? I think the tenants are the Jewish people given the Promised Land.
C. Why did the final tenants want to kill the Son? (V.7) To keep all the inheritance to themselves, to have the property as their own.
D. What did Jesus mean by verse 10? This refers to Jesus being the ‘prophet’ that Israel rejected as having any part of the “building” and then He ended up being the one that the building was calibrated to and dependent upon.
E. Why did the Pharisees decide not to try to arrest Jesus? They were afraid of the people’s reaction … this is interesting to me… they feared the peoples reaction a few times and it stayed their hand but in the end at Jesus’s conviction they were fueled by the people’s reaction, harnessing it to get what they wanted.
4. What idols do you see at work in the hearts of the Pharisees? What motivated them to harden their hearts? There is a constant throughout the ages that the approval and respect from man make a man. When we are viewed as valuable we feel valuable. When we are verbally praised by humans we feel exalted. When we scale the top 10 list of our species we feel that we have arrived. This is an idol of approval. The lie of success. There is also an idol of control. To be able to manipulate your circumstances gives false assurance that you are at peace and in control. An idol of power may also be present … feeling like you are powerful leads to feeling somewhat invincible.
5. Do you have an idol you run to for your needs? How do you harden your heart against the Lord when He whispers to you to come to Him instead? What lies have you believed? I run to approval … to man … if someone can tell me I’m ok then I feel ok. I harden my heart against the Lord when I continually say things to fish for approval from man. Things that bely my competence or skill… things that lead others to stroke my ego and tell me I am wonderful. This question is aptly timed. The same individual that has several times challenged my self-image (I wrote about the break through on another week -“You are not my life, Christ is my life”) challenged it yet again yesterday… he is not unkind and is not even a ‘friend’ just a coworker who does not ‘play the social game of approval.’ But I let myself ask a question that would make me look smart but in the end made me look foolish … I saw in my heart the desire to be viewed as intelligent and useful … but in the end it just revealed my low self-esteem… and I must continue to say, “*Christ* is my life!”
6. How might you pray for yourself to overcome your heart idols today? God, I praise you that you make me uncomfortable and bring me continually to your cross. May I seek it first instead of skinning my knees at my idols … God infuse my soul … let me KNOW who I am – I am Yours.
Jill, loved this “May I seek it first instead of skinning my knees at my idols … God infuse my soul … let me KNOW who I am – I am Yours.”
Jill — love your vulnerability and the picture you painted of saying things to fish for the approval of man. When I want to do that, and sometimes do!! — I often think of the proverb — let another man praise you and not your own mouth.
1.What stands out to you from the above and why?
The story of Lee and Vince Petno and the accompanying video of the mobility carts was so moving. Oh, the power of a story! My six year old granddaughter is living with us for a few weeks/months and when she saw me watching this video she was intrigued.
Oh Nila — may the Lord give you strength and influence over this grand-daughter!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
” Our stony heart idols cannot be removed, they can only be replaced by the One who turns a heart of stone into a heart of flesh”.
I remember years ago, Dee, when you first introduced me to Chalmers’ Expulsive Power of A New Affection and it pierced my heart. That truth reminds me not to spend my efforts trying to “better myself” or rid myself of my sin—but to instead throw my sinful self at His feet and let Him change my heart.
2. Share one specific way your heart has been changed by Jesus. Share also one way you still need a stone changed to flesh.
I hesitate to share this because there is still, and always will be, so much of His work that my heart needs. There is a close relationship in my life where I see both the evidence of His work in my heart and still my need for Him to break the areas of stone. He first taught me to forgive one who has hurt me deeply, and now He is teaching me to love, really love, receiving nothing in return. It is not what I wanted, it is not what I “signed up for”, but it is what He gave my husband and I and while I still struggle, there are times I see glimpses of Him shining through—my actions are out of love for Him, and not based on how this person acts or treats me. I love because He loves.
Sunday:
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? – Oh my this whole opener is wonderful. From your story with your friends Dee to the children singing and the video for those who received a cart. That brought tears to my eyes, but what joy they all showed once they sat in the cart and their freedom was released. But the line that are hearts can’t be removed, they can only be changed. So true and yet so hard to do. Can’t wait to dig in to this week’s study.
2. Share one specific way your heart has been changed by Jesus. Share also one way you still need a stone changed to flesh. – I am more open to those in need, since I was there at one point of my life. Not everyone is looking for something for free, some just want a chance, an opportunity to show what they can do. What I still need work on is to have tolerance and be able to see deeper in to why someone doesn’t do something that to me is so simple to accomplish. Help me Lord to see them as you see them and not as I think they should be.
Lizzy, Philip was adorable, and the others made me smile too as they sang. What a great why to have a children’s choir sing.
I too loved seeing the joy of those who received the cart. We have sooo much!!!
Julie–I think this is so wise to remember “Not everyone is looking for something for free, some just want a chance, an opportunity to show what they can do.” And thank you for your sweet words about Philip. He loves to sing!
I’m so glad that he does. Kids that age, sometimes are so shy they just stand there, (like my grandson LOL)
Monday: Let Us Kill Him, and the Inheritance Will be Ours
3. Read Mark 12:1-12
A. Summarize what happens in this parable. – Jesus is telling the religious leaders what will happen to him when the time is right, but he is using a vineyard, the owner of the vineyard and tenants who rent some of the vineyard out.
B. Whom do you think the various tenants represent? – The religious leaders and teachers
C. Why did the final tenants want to kill the Son? (verse 7) – I think they wanted to kill him, thinking they would not have to work hard to get the inheritance, that by killing the son, the path would be made easier to receive.
D. What does Jesus mean by verse 10? – He is describing himself, being rejected and put in place as the capstone for our sins and this was all the Father’s plan for our happiness.
E. Why did the Pharisees decide not to try to arrest Jesus? – They were afraid of the crowd around them. That the crowd would be more accepting of Jesus and come after the Pharisees if they tried taking Jesus in front of them.
4. What idols do you see at work in the hearts of the Pharisees? What motivated them to harden their hearts? – Greed, covetousness they wanted it all without having to work for anything and it wasn’t theirs to have. I think just knowing what power they would have if they showed they could stand against Jesus. That perhaps they would have more of the crowd on their side, if they kept finding things that they thought Jesus was doing wrong.
5. Do you have an idol you run to for your needs? How do you harden your heart against the Lord when He whispers to you to come to Him instead? What lies have you believed? -I run to my own thoughts at times. Thinking I can figure out the solution to the problem I’m in. I guess resisting Jesus and his answer is in a sense hardening my heart against Him. I never thought of it that way before. The lie I have believed is that I need to take care of things myself, because I’m the only one that cares about me and will do it the right way.
6. How might you pray for yourself to overcome your heart idols today? – Lord, HELP!! Every time I resist or hold back now looks like I’m hardening my heart against what you want. Help me to overcome that and release my resistance to you. Help to just freely come to you, just like you have always wanted. You are there waiting with open arms, but I hold back and try to work things out for myself. Help me to just give it all to you and wait, listen and do what you are telling me to do. I want your help more than anything. Thank you Lord for not giving up on me. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
The quote about “afterglow…” haven’t heard that word in a very long time and today read it TWICE. What is that all about???
Wow, I was pretty grossed out by the heart…
The video was amazing! Those faces 😊😊😊
2. Share one specific way your heart has been changed by Jesus. Share also one way you still need a stone changed to flesh.
I am more forgiving than I used to be. I am trying to not judge as I have in the past.
Remind me, Laura, when you came to Christ. I know for those of us who came as adults, we experienced an amazing honeymoon — and yes, still an afterglow. But I think even of Diane’s story — and even at nine — a honeymoon.
Well, I believe I’ve always had Christ because it was the way my parents raised us. It was just a “given.” But, the “proof” lies in an adolescent Bible I had (I think it was called “The Way?” and has fluorescent orange and yellow fishes on the cover) where I wrote that I had accepted Jesus into my heart with the date. I was probably 12-14 years old. I really didn’t know Jesus until about 12-15 years ago though.
I think that was Kenneth Taylors original Living Bible. I remember it!
3. Read Mark 12:1-12
A. Summarize what happens in this parable.
A man owns a vineyard. He leaves it in the care of other farmers. At harvest time the owner sends a servant to collect his share of the harvest but the caretakers beat up the man and send him back with nothing. This happens many more times, where the servants are either beaten or killed, but the final time the man sends his son, whom they kill. Jesus asks the leaders (?) what the owner would do? He answers the question for them; he would come kill them and rent to other farmers.
B. Whom do you think the various tenants represent?
I guess the religious leaders? They were “killing” the people’s spirituality with their rules and regulations.
C. Why did the final tenants want to kill the Son? (verse 7)
He was the heir to the vineyard. They believed if they killed him they would “inherit” the vineyard.
D. What does Jesus mean by verse 10?
He is referring to Himself as the rejected stone being the present “cornerstone.”
E. Why did the Pharisees decide not to try to arrest Jesus?
The were afraid of what the people would do because they knew how they followed Jesus.
4. What idols do you see at work in the hearts of the Pharisees? What motivate them to harden their hearts?
I think they were appalled that Jesus was (seemingly) so disrespectful to them. They thought they knew it all. They had no idea why someone would come and challenge them this way. They couldn’t believe it.
5. Do you have an idol you run to for your needs? How do you harden your heart against the Lord when He whispers to you to come to Him instead? What lies have you believed?
Oh yes…several unfortunately. I run for the idol instead of Him. I believe I’ll be happier with the idol than my Lord 😔.
6. How might you pray for yourself to overcome your heart idols today?
Oh Lord help me to not need approval from others. Help me love unconditionally. Amen.
7. Read Mark 12:13-17
A. How were the Pharisees trying to trap Jesus — hoping He would show disrespect for Caesar? How did He escape their trap? They wanted to trip Him up in saying something that would be in incriminating. They used flattery and implied that they knew He would speak the truth. He escaped their trap by using their own logic against them…bring me a coin…whose picture is on it?
B. Do you see any practical applications from Jesus’ answer? If so, what? I can listen to the question behind the question and ask my Heavenly Father for wisdom when I don’t have the answer. I can ignore the flattery.
8. Read Mark 12:18-27
A. How were the Sadducees trying to show Jesus that He was wrong to teach there was a resurrection? They were trying to argue that the law would not allow for the resurrection. The law spoke against having more than one wife (although many did not keep that law). So, if the law was perfect, then resurrection was not possible because only one of the brothers could be her husband in the resurrection.
B. What does He tell them that shows the error of their thinking? Jesus said their error was two fold- they did not understand the scriptures or the power of God!
C. Some have taken verse 25 to mean we will become angels. What point is Jesus actually making? I think Jesus was saying that upon the resurrection, mankind will live in a state similar to that of the angels…who do not marry. My feeling is that as we are the bride of Christ, we will only desire Him and have no need for marriage. It seems like marriage is intended to join together what God separated at creation- male and female and in the resurrection life we will once again be fully completed in our relationship to the godhead.
D. What do you learn about the resurrection from Jesus’ answer? God is the God of the living and He is the fullness of all creation.
Lucy — love your listening to the question behind the question.
Sunday:
What stands out to you from the above and why?
Lee’s and Vince story-what a powerful testimony of one’s (Dee) witness multiplied in the lives of the Petno family.
I enjoyed Philip’s group singing that beautiful song. I have not heard of it before.
Share one specific way your heart has been changed by Jesus. Share also one way you still need a stone changed to flesh.
Jesus has been changing my heart to love others unconditionally. It has been a long process and I am still a work in progress. Only the power of a “new affection” can do this wonderful thing in my life. One way I still need a stone changed to flesh is that I can be forgiving of people who have hurt those I love. It is still hard for me to love and pray for them. I need God’s help.
Monday: Let Us Kill Him, and the Inheritance Will be Ours
3. Read Mark 12:1-12
A. Summarize what happens in this parable.
A man planted a vineyard and cultivated it and rented it to some farmers. He went away and then sent several of his servants to ask for some of the harvested fruit. But the tenants beat, killed his servants. And he then sent his son and the tenants killed him too because they thought if the son dies, they will get the inheritance since there will be no more heir.
B. Whom do you think the various tenants represent?
The enemies of Jesus-Pharisees and teachers of the law
C. Why did the final tenants want to kill the Son? (verse 7)
So they can get the inheritance
D. What does Jesus mean by verse 10?
Not sure?
E. Why did the Pharisees decide not to try to arrest Jesus?
They were afraid of the crowd.
3. What idols do you see at work in the hearts of the Pharisees? What motivated them to harden their hearts?
Power and control. They do not want to acknowledge the truth of what Jesus is saying.
4. Do you have an idol you run to for your needs? How do you harden your heart against the Lord when He whispers to you to come to Him instead? What lies have you believed?
The idol of approval. By manipulating circumstances so they fit my idea of what should be instead of trusting God to bring about His plans and purposes. That it is up to me to make things work. I need to remember I am not God. I listened to Paul Tripp’s message and he said, “There is a king. He is not you.”
Bing — how many of us battle the approval idol!
3. Read Mark 12:1-12
A. Summarize what happens in this parable. A man planted a vineyard and rented it to some farmers to take care of. At harvest time the owner (man) of the Vineyard sent 3 servants to get some of the harvest but the farmers abused many and killed one. Finally, the owner sent His Son whom he loved and thought surely they will respect him, but instead they killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. So the owner is going to kill the farmers and give his vineyard to others.
B. Whom do you think the various tenants represent?
The Pharisees, elders and teachers of the law
C. Why did the final tenants want to kill the Son? (verse 7)
Because they knew the Son had the owner’s inheritance and they wanted it.
D. What does Jesus mean by verse 10?
Jesus is the Son they rejected.
E. Why did the Pharisees decide not to try to arrest Jesus?
Because they were afraid of the crowd so they went away.
4. What idols do you see at work in the hearts of the Pharisees? What motivated them to harden their hearts?
Their idol was comfort/security and control. They wanted what God could give them more than God Himself.
5. Do you have an idol you run to for your needs? How do you harden your heart against the Lord when He whispers to you to come to Him instead? What lies have you believed?
Oh yes, my flesh is bent that way and I harden my heart through the lies that help me justify it. The lies: This will take the edge off your pain, just keep running to your idol and you can escape your pain and situation, etc.
This current trial caught me off guard..I had no clue I was trapped in a relational idol’s arms. I hate that in the moment I like what my idol gives temporarily and then I listen to the lies and justify it. I hate my flesh because it can be so deceiving and that temporary comfort can be hard to let go of. I don’t know why because I have experienced Him-His presence when letting go of my idol and pressing into Him in trials. His inexplicable joy more than carries me through my trials and is a zillion times better than the fleeting comfort my idol brings.
Wow, when HE rips an idol away-oh my I find out how deeply rooted it was, and He is ripping it now and rescuing me! (oh). I just didn’t see it when everything started happening-but when it did the clue was that I became SO desperate to the point I would rather die than to be without this person.
So here I am again like Eustace and God is saying you will have to let me undress you, and thankfully I am-but it is by His power in me that I can even yield..How BEAUTIFUL is that? I love you Lord Jesus..it hurts and I don’t deserve you-but you love me and are rescuing me anyway. You are my true and faithful and loving rock-the true love of my life, help me today when my idol lies to me to walk in your light-for no one can be my rock, only you are. Easy to say-help me to live it today.
You keep on speaking that truth to your soul, dear, dear Rebecca.
Prayers continue for you Rebecca as walk this road the Lord has you on right now.
Well, it ran out of replies for me to add on my prayer for Rebecca–but you know I have been and will continue to pray for you dear sister in this fiery trial you are in. You stay on my heart and I am asking Him to show His mercy, His rescue–for you and the other, that He would do a mighty work and bring healing that restores and renews–surprising You with joy.
7. Read Mark 12:13-17
A. How were the Pharisees trying to trap Jesus — hoping He would show disrespect for Caesar? How did He escape their trap?
They wanted Him to say that it was wrong for the people to have to honor Caesar above God by paying their taxes. He responded that the money belonged to Caesar so they should give it to him. He is implying that they should follow the laws.
B. Do you see any practical applications from Jesus’ answer? If so, what?
Hmmmm….this is hard to me. Not really? I guess if it is an earthly issue it stays here on earth and anything spiritual would be taken care of by God? I really don’t know. Maybe it’s about following rules? We should follow the rules of our government and defer to God anything else?
8. Read Mark 12:18-27
A. How were the Sadducees trying to show Jesus that He was wrong to teach there was a resurrection?
They were suggesting that the woman would not have a partner in the resurrection, so He was wrong in speaking of it? Again, not sure here 🤷🏻♀️.
B. What does He tell them that shows the error of their thinking?
He says those being resurrected would not be married, rather like angels.
C. Some have taken verse 25 to mean we will become angels. What point is Jesus actually making?
It says we would be like angels. Not actually angels….so what are angels like? The ones I have read about are male. Will we be male? They are too bright to look at, they have wings and can “fly,” they are God’s helpers, they always say, “Do not fear…” anything else?
D. What do you learn about the resurrection from Jesus’ answer?
This makes me think that we will not know our families in heaven. Does anyone know about this?
7. Read Mark 12:13-17
A. How were the Pharisees trying to trap Jesus — hoping He would show disrespect for Caesar?
They were asking him if he would implicate himself as an insurrectionist, if he answered in such a way as to cause the Roman authorities to bring charges against him they could perhaps be rid of him.
How did He escape their trap?
His answer is so nuanced and complex, he neither suggests rebellion against the authorities or that the people acquiesce without thinking.
B. Do you see any practical applications from Jesus’ answer? If so, what?
I feel like a read the cliff notes for this passage having recently listened to a Keller sermon on the text.
My favorite part was when brought out that Jesus asked whose image is on the coin and said that literally the silver in the coin belonged to Ceaser, give to Caesar that which is Caesars and to Gods what is God’s and said whose image is stamped on you, it gave me chills. I belong to God, my whole life, everything I have and everything I do should be lived in light of that truth.
So Keller!
Chris, what was the name of the Keller sermon?
7. Read Mark 12:13-17
A. How were the Pharisees trying to trap Jesus — hoping He would show disrespect for Caesar? wow, flattery, trying to get on “His side,” attempting to say what they thought Jesus wanted to hear. I’ve never noticed that before. Also, they tried to set him up in a no win situation. How did He escape their trap? He knew their hearts/hypocrisy. He outsmarted them — and/or maybe more accurately, acknowledged the place of governments
B. Do you see any practical applications from Jesus’ answer? yes If so, what? 1) pay my taxes!! The application depends somewhat on the gov’t systems we live within. In the US, everyone that is middle class and above has quite a bit of freedom to make choices about where we live (which impacts amount of taxes), how much property we own (also impacting taxes), and to some degree, even types of jobs/businesses (which impact tax benefits and loopholes). I definitely don’t LIKE paying taxes, and maybe everyone views taxes from a selfish perspective (i.e., “People like me have it the worst!!”). 2) participate in gov’t, move, or quit complaining:) 99% of the time, I don’t need to have any moral qualms about following the law, though I might experience issues related to personal preference or inconvenience. In the US, I do see a lot of selfishness at the root of both major political parties — as well as servant spirits in both parties, especially at local & state levels and in bipartisan national initiatives. I tend to get annoyed with belly-aching on both sides — and for me, an obvious application related to that is to flip the annoyance into gratefulness to God that he has granted for the freedom to disagree. 3) The other application is to “render … onto God the things that are God’s” — our hearts, talents, and our “possessions.” I haven’t fully processed this — but one key is to view myself as a tenant and a steward rather than an owner. EVERYTHING I have is a gift from God. I do see how easy it is to get caught up in a career rat-race with $$ jobs, and standard of living as idols — both at individual and cultural levels.
3. Read Mark 12:1-12 A. Summarize what happens in this parable.
A Landowner planted a vineyard, leased it to tenants and left the country. When it was time, he sent a servant to get some of the fruit from the tenants. Each time a servant was sent, he was beaten and some killed. Finally the Landowner sent his Son, and they killed Him and threw Him out of the vineyard. The Owner will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others who will receive Him.
B. Whom do you think the various tenants represent?
The tenants represent the chief priests and Pharisees who have been instructed to tend the vineyard of God, but they only want to self-rule, they do not want to submit to the Lord.
I also think in some ways we are all like the tenants. Our lives are not our own. We want to live as if we are owners, as if we are in charge. We forget that we are tenants—He has given us everything, it is all His and we are called to be faithful stewards, in submission to the Owner.
C. Why did the final tenants want to kill the Son? (verse 7)
The Son was the heir. He had full rights of ownership as the Father.
D. What does Jesus mean by verse 10?
Jesus is pointing back to Psalm 118:22, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” Jesus is the rejected stone-the cornerstone, the stone at the corner that joins the walls together. I found this too—Jesus combines the prophecies of Isaiah 8:14 “And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem” and and Daniel 2: 44 ” God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever”. Jesus is the foundation of God’s kingdom on earth, and as the “stone,” He will crush all opposition to God’s kingdom.
E. Why did the Pharisees decide not to try to arrest Jesus?
They were afraid of the crowd.
We forget we are tenants. Yes.
Dee-My pastor actually did our Easter message on this parable. He talked about how with all that is going on in the world we are trying so hard to control, and angry at what we cannot control–forgetting we are just tenants, not Owners. Then he talked about how we treat the messengers that the Owner sends–one messenger possibly now being the virus…how are we responding to it as a message, are we listening for what God may want to say to us in this or are we fighting to attack it and not allow it to soften or change us. God allows repeated messengers to tell us we are not in control, we are not owners. As Christians, we know in our heart we are not the Owner, so we can accept the messengers He sends and learn from them–allow it to access our hearts, bend us to Him. The fact that we can’t control life is not absence of God’s love but roof of it.
I am thinking on this application, Lizzy, that your pastor made, to the virus may be a messenger. Yes, we need to be listening and examining our hearts. I heard a message on Haven Today on the same line. God is putting us in Time out and wants us to ponder , what have we been doing and how should we be changing?
Lizzy — I think your pastor’s wisdom is always good — whether God sends a plague or allows it, we should search our hearts. Because it is world-wide, I do wonder if it from Him, but in any case, our response should always be to search our hearts.
Tuesday
7. Read Mark 12:13-17
A. How were the Pharisees trying to trap Jesus — hoping He would show disrespect for Caesar? How did He escape their trap?
By using flattery and asking the question should we pay taxes to Caesar or not? If Jesus were to say no, then He’d basically be telling them to break the law, but if He tells them yes, He would be denying the sovereignty of God over Israel and lose popularity.
Jesus escapes the trap firstly, by knowing it is a trap and then telling them from Caesar’s picture on the coin, to give to Caesar what belongs to him, and give to God what belongs to God. “The answer if full of consummate wisdom. It establishes the limits, regulates the rights, and distinguishes the jurisdiction of the two empires of heaven and earth. The image or princes stamped on their coin denotes that temporal things belong all to their government. The image of God stamped on the soul denotes that all its facilities and powers belong to the Most High, and should be employed in His service.” ~ Adam Clarke
B. Do you see any practical applications from Jesus’ answer? If so, what?
We are to obey the law in paying taxes but our life belongs to God.
8. Read Mark 12:18-27
A. How were the Sadducees trying to show Jesus that He was wrong to teach there was a resurrection?
They were using the Jewish law that if a women’s husband died without leaving children that the husbands brother was to marry her and this happened seven times (ridiculous), then whose wife would she be in the resurrection.
B. What does He tell them that shows the error of their thinking?
They don’t know the Scriptures and they don’t know the power of God. He goes on to say that when the dead rise they will neither marry nor be given in marriage. From the Scriptures He shares about Moses at the burning bush and how He described Himself as the Father of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob long after they’d died, so He is the God of the living, not the dead.
C. Some have taken verse 25 to mean we will become angels. What point is Jesus actually making?
He is saying there will be no need for marriage because like the angels we’ll be immortal and won’t have the human needs and passions we have now.
D. What do you learn about the resurrection from Jesus’ answer?
The resurrection of our Lord really did happen and I can look forward to an eternal life. He is the God of the living!! It makes me sad though to think of those who don’t believe in the resurrection and that we’re just going to die or come back as a cockroach or who knows what!
Adam Clarke! That’s an old one — he sometimes has a very unique and interesting perspective.
Yes, he is name from the past…the internet makes it fun to do research on these older theologians. I have a feeling Don had many of them in his library.
Ahhh – that’s probably why I have an Adam Clarke commentary! I think he is the one who made a case for Rahab not being a harlot, if I remember correctly.
3. Mark 12:1-12 Jesus told the parable of the man who planted the vineyard and leased it to tenants when he went into another country. But when he sent his servants for the fruit, they were killed. They also killed the beloved son- for his inheritance. He asked, what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others.
B. The tenants, I believe, represent the followers of Jesus
C. They wanted to kill the Son so they would have his inheritance.
D. Verse 10 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. Jesus was rejected by the scribes and Pharisees
but He is the foundation of our faith.
E. The Pharisees decided not to try to arrest Jesus, though they sensed he was talking about them because
they feared the people.
4. What idols do you see at work? Well, the idol of power and control, I believe. They were not willing to give up
their authority as the leaders. I was thinking of approval, but this may be a secondary idol.
What motivated them to harden their hearts? Well, perhaps not being willing to see the error of their ways. They didn’t want
to humble themselves or change their misconceptions.
5. What idol do you run to for your needs? Well, my first thought is comfort; also the idol of approval is a go to.
I, too, harden my heart, by not accepting criticism. I often repel this because of fear of not being right.
So lies I believe are: I am being devalued. I am being disrespected. Why should I listen when others have not listened to me?
Prayer for myself: Father, I come to you for forgiveness for harboring unloving thoughts and attitudes toward others. Help me to
see where I am in need of your cleansing and molding into a vessel worthy of service. Forgive my critical words, soften my heart and
give me joy in serving. May I use every opportunity to exalt you, and to have less concern for me. In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Shirley, I can so relate to this…”Why should I listen when others have not listened to me?” For me, this comes out of needing approval, being valued and heard!
So the tenants represent the religious leaders! Getting them confused with the servant coming for the fruit of the vineyard…
3. D. Why did the Pharisees decide not to try to arrest Jesus?
It says they were afraid of the crowd.
4. What idols do you see at work in the hearts of the Pharisees? What motivated them to harden their hearts?
I see power/control. They were, metaphorically, the tenants who had taken over the vineyard and made themselves the owners and keepers. They saw themselves almost as the owners and keepers of their religion, even perhaps of salvation, as they decided who was in, and who was out. They were not about to give up that power to Jesus, and I believe they were intensely jealous of Him and felt that He threatened their power. I am sure that they also derived comfort/security from their hallowed positions of power.
5. Do you have an idol you run to for your needs? How do you harden your heart against the Lord when He whispers to you to come to Him instead? What lies have you believed?
I have different things I run to for comfort and security, and for approval and affirmation. One is to try to get these from other people in my life, another is to retreat into daydreaming or fantasizing. I can tell the Lord, “I’ll come to You later….” Renee mentioned using distraction…I can identify with that. The lies are that these people or fantasies can meet my needs entirely.
6. How might you pray for yourself to overcome your heart idols today?
I’ve also been doing Daily Discipleship with Chip Ingram through the book of Philippians. It’s helping me to rewrite the verses in my own words, to apply them to myself. So today I made note of the command in chapter 2 to live a pure life as a child of God. We were to choose one command to apply today. I also thought about the verse that says that it is God who is at work in me….it is like He is the driving engine, giving me the power and the desire to obey Him. Yet He doesn’t do everything; Paul tells me that I must work hard to demonstrate outwardly what God is doing inside of me. So, when I find my thoughts drifting, right then and there, or whenever I become aware of a heart idol at work, I need to stop and talk to God and ask Him to redirect me right NOW. It’s like He is right there with me but so often I act as if He is not.
Susan, I did that yesterday, and it helped (“whenever I become aware of a heart idol at work, I need to stop and talk to God and ask Him to redirect me right NOW.”) me to look away from my idol and focus on Him. I’m going to keep trying to do that although it is difficult for sure.
Tuesday: Avoiding a Heart Transplant
Kathy Troccoli tells of her own heart transplant. As a young woman she was intrigued by a lifeguard at the pool who loved Jesus. She and Kathy had many discussions, but Kathy was always trying to outwit her with hard questions, in an attempt to avoid Jesus. Finally this young woman said, “I can’t answer all your questions, Kathy — but no matter what, one day every knee will bow to Jesus — some who are saved and some who are lost. You will bow too.” That put the fear of God into Kathy and softened her heart.
Here we see the Pharisees and the Sadducees coming to Jesus with hard questions, hoping to trap him, avoiding their own heart transplants.
7. Read Mark 12:13-17
A. How were the Pharisees trying to trap Jesus — hoping He would show disrespect for Caesar? How did He escape their trap? – they were trying to get Jesus to say that they did not owe Caesar any taxes, but he is a fair God and looked at the coin and gave them the answer of whose face is on the coin? Pay Caesar what is due him and God what is God’s
B. Do you see any practical applications from Jesus’ answer? If so, what? – We need to be fair to those who come in to our lives. We need to love them as we are told to love ourselves. In this way we are giving them what we are receiving from Jesus. We are giving them what is due to them just as Jesus does to us.
8. Read Mark 12:18-27
A. How were the Sadducees trying to show Jesus that He was wrong to teach there was a resurrection? – By asking Jesus about marriage in heaven, if a wife was also married to the brothers of her first husband. They wanted him to answer whose wife she would be.
B. What does He tell them that shows the error of their thinking? – He tells them that they do not know the scriptures, that when one dies there will be no marriage and no one given in marriage.
C. Some have taken verse 25 to mean we will become angels. What point is Jesus actually making? – I think he is trying to tell them that we will not be dead, but alive in heaven.
D. What do you learn about the resurrection from Jesus’ answer? – That there will be no death for those who believe in Him and have an earthly relationship with Him. We will be alive in heaven with Him.
7. Read Mark 12:13-17
A. How were the Pharisees trying to trap Jesus — hoping He would show disrespect for Caesar? How did He escape their trap?
I think they tried to trap Jesus with a compliment and underneath the compliment was a trap. It is true that Jesus isn’t swayed by man over God. So Jesus, knowing their hearts trapped them back with the truth that God is in authority over them and He is in authority over Ceasar. They weren’t focused on God at all, but they were focused on the unjust taxing of Ceasar. It is hypocritical to be known as purveyors of God’s truth as if they are the nearest to God for their hearts are aren’t anywhere near God.
B. Do you see any practical applications from Jesus’ answer? If so, what?
It is so beautiful to see Jesus really knowing what is inside their hearts for that makes me feel so protected, so known and truly and faithfully loved, yet it also makes me tremble! How much crud and hypocrisy is really in my heart?? I dread to think of it all because I know it is there-even the complicated stuff like my hesitancy to let Him undress me and peel back my scales, but because I am His and His blood covers my sin, God won’t hold it against me, rather He brings it to the surface, and is refining-cleaning me. What I would really love to see more of in my life is less hesitancy (control idol) and more willingness to listen and turn faster when He shows me these dark places (let Him have control for He already does). What I want to see more of in my life is all my affections on Him instead of all these other things that vie for my affection.
9. Read Mark 12:28-34
A. What is the scribe’s question and Jesus answer?
He asks Jesus what the most important commandment. Jesus answers to know and love God and to love your neighbor as yourself.
B. What is the scribe’s response and Jesus response to him?
He repeats what Jesus says. Jesus says he is not far from the kingdom of heaven.
10. Meditate on verse 30, asking the Spirit to illumine you for your own life. What do you
see?
I think the verse is suggesting that we consume ourselves with God. Loving means endearing someone. The mind is the mental consumption, the Spirit is your soul, the heart is your inner physical being and the strength is your outer being. It’s kind of layered to me.
I struggle with this consumption. I am “guilty” of immersing myself in Him when I think about it. It isn’t for a moment in time, it might cover many days as I go about the normalcy of my life. But, there are other times I forget 😔. I hope that by the time I am “old” it will be normal for me to always be in the state of immersion at all times.
11. How might you incorporate the above into prayer?
Dear Lord, I know what to do I just don’t always do it. Thank You for providing an example in scripture with Paul for us to know that we are ok; just like him. Help me know how to immerse myself in You in a more flowing manner, from one event in life to the next. I pray this in Your Holy Name. Amen.
““I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good.”
“And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.””
Romans 7:15-16, 18-20 NLT
https://www.bible.com/116/rom.7.15-16,18-20.nlt
uh oh, I edited my response to add more spaces, make it easier to read — and the edited version was marked as spam. Oh well!! The study was beneficial today — and now some stuff is coming on the radio that is directly related to what I just posted:)
Renee the same thing happened to me, I tried re-posting but my post doesn’t show up.
IDK
🙂
ok, I’m pondering now — based on discussion on Susan’s post above. It hard for me to understand a heart change (though I can see definite changes over time) when I only or primarily process through my brain. I LIKE kneeling for communion, worship through dance (but don’t put in in the front!!), and am thinking about other ways to involve senses in worship. In recent months, I have been wondering more what it means to “present your body as a living sacrifice…” And it’s harder when I only talk to God with my head. When I think in the context of churches with only cognitive approach (even when they talk about the heart), the only way I can think of to present my body is through “works,” whether it is self-discipline or outreach. Music does get into my head/heart — but that’s still not “my body.” What does “the Word became flesh” mean in how I live my life? (have also been thinking of embodiment in the context of the body of Christ, the church, because I have become more troubled by individualism in some Christian circles, NOT my church)
7. Read Mark 12:13-17
A. How were the Pharisees trying to trap Jesus – hoping He would show disrespect for Caesar? How did He escape their trap? They flattered Him, they were trying to stroke His ego to make Him trip up in arrogance. Jesus doesn’t fall for it because He speaks truth no matter what people think or judge. He may change the WAY He speaks the truth for the individual seeking it but He does not change truth.
B. Do you see any practical applications from Jesus’ answer? If so, what? To rely on God. There is no need to be fearful of people’s questions but we should be wary of their flattery!
8. Read Mark 12:18-27
A. How were the Sadducees trying to show Jesus that He was wrong to teach there was a resurrection? They were basically saying that resurrection is too messy to be real – that it cannot be real because it cannot continue life as we know it. Which is the point – it is NEW life!
B. What does He tell them that shows the error of their thinking? That they have earthly, human thinking, not the thinking of God. That we will be ALIVE not dead. And we are God’s not our own.
C. Some have taken verse 25 to mean we will become angels. What point is Jesus actually making? I think He is saying that we will be governed by the rules that govern angels – heaven will be saturated with the praise and understanding of God – we will no longer need the analogy of marriage to see God’s covenant. Heaven will be completely different but our true purpose will be the same – to glorify Him.
D. What do you learn about the resurrection from Jesus’ answer? That we will not be married … which saddens me … but I do think “our people” will still be special to us and we will be able to know each other there … but we won’t need marriage?? But marriage (like work) came before the fall so why wouldn’t we have marriage? I hadn’t thought of that before … if it was GOOD before sin then wouldn’t it be good in the Nee Creation as well? But it’s not about me.
I’ve often thought of no marriage in heaven too — but have to trust it will be something better! When Jonathan Edwards was dying and Sarah wouldn’t get there on time he wrote her a note that he thought that such a bond as theirs would have some kind of reality in heaven.
Wednesday
9. Read Mark 12:28-34
A. What is the scribe’s question and Jesus answer?
What is the most important commandment?
”The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. The second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself.”
B. What is the scribe’s response and Jesus response to him?
That He spoke well and that he knows how important these commands are (although the scribe left out “soul” in his response…??) , more important than offering all the burnt sacrifices required in the law.
He realized how much he understood and said, “you are not far from the kingdom of God.”
10. Meditate on verse 30, asking the Spirit to illumine you for your own life. What do you see?
I had never thought about this before, but the heart comes first. The heart pumps the blood that keeps us alive. Do we need a heart change/transplant, new life in Him before we can love Him with all our soul, mind and strength?
11. How might you incorporate the above into prayer?
I don’t know if I’m reading too much in the above question but my prayer would be “remove my heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh,” so I might have life and have it abundantly.
12. I keep going back to the different way liberal churches and traditional (meaning the way the churches were when they originated) churches see the purpose of the church. Liberal churches jump right to the second commandment, minimizing the first. Why is the first vital?
I have to refer to my answer above and say God wants our hearts, we must have life in Him before the second commandment can truly be done in the right motive. We have a liberal family in our church who always say, “God is love and He wants us to just love others and not judge” true, we are to love and not judge (hypocritically), but where does the gospel play a role in all this? How do we really love our neighbor as ourselves? I recall this from C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity…”love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person’s ultimate good as far as it can be obtained.” That’s where the gospel comes in… isn’t a heart transplant the center of the gospel?
Yes, I think a heart transplant is what the gospel accomplishes —
7. Mark 12:28-34 The Pharisees were trying to trick Jesus when they asked, Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? They may have thought he would take a stand against the Roman government who unjustly taxed the Jews and be causing them to come against him. However Jesus pointed out that the coins were in Caesar’s name and so they must pay what was due, yet give to God what was due.
A practical application may also be that we are obligated to pay our taxes even if we disagree with the way the government votes to use the money we owe.
8. Mark 12:18-27 So the Sadducees were trying to show that Jesus was wrong to teach there was a resurrection. Yet they asked him if the brothers died without off spring whose wife would she be(of 7 brothers who died first)? This is very tricky, it seems, yet Jesus went back to the book of Moses for his answer,quoting “He is not God of the dead, but of the living, you are quite wrong.”
C. W.hen Jesus said, in verse 25, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven- who do not marry.
D. What do I learn of the Resurrection? I guess this means, since he is not God of the dead, but He is God of the living there must be a Resurrection! Many little details to notice and I easily miss some.
Wednesday: Very Close to A Heart Transplant
9. Read Mark 12:28-34
A. What is the scribe’s question and Jesus answer? – The scribe asked Jesus what the greatest commandment was. Jesus replied, “Hear O Israel, the Lord your God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” “The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”
B. What is the scribe’s response and Jesus response to him? – The scribe said “well said teacher.” “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” Jesus said “you are not far from the kingdom of God.”
10. Meditate on verse 30, asking the Spirit to illumine you for your own life. What do you see? – I see my life growing more in love with Jesus each day. I have a hunger for Him, for His Word and for learning as much as my mind can absorb more than I have ever had from the first day I asked Him into my life. My understanding is widening and my soul is softening more each day to his leadings. My strength is being found in Him and allowing Him to lead me.
11. How might you incorporate the above into prayer? – Lord, I love the path you have me on. I’m sorry it is taking me this long to understand, what you are all about with my whole being. I know I still have a long way to go, but I ask that you keep guiding me and molding me in to the person who saw in me from the beginning. I don’t always see myself as you do, but I am grasping more, my eyes are open more to your ways then ever before. Please always be at my side as I walk the path that you have put in front of me. In Jesus Name I Pray. Amen.
12. I keep going back to the different way liberal churches and traditional (meaning the way the churches were when they originated) churches see the purpose of the church. Liberal churches jump right to the second commandment, minimizing the first. Why is the first vital? – I think we would be drained of all that we have in us. We need to continue to go to the Jesus for love, to be replenished in order to withstand the love that everyone is seeking. We wouldn’t have enough to go around if on our own. He is the only one that can love unconditionally and for us to love as He loves, we need His love to do that. For me I know I would not be able to continue to love the unlovely. Sad to say that, but I would get tired of trying and give up.
3. Read Mark 12:1-12
A. Summarize what happens in this parable.
A man planted a vineyard, prepared it carefully and then left tenants in charge of it. When he sent servants to collect a portion of the fruit from the tenants, they refused and abused the servants; some they even killed. Finally, he sent his son; but they thought, “Well, if we kill the son, then we will own the vineyard.” Then, the owner of the vineyard will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others.
B. Whom do you think the various tenants represent?
The tenants who abused the servants represent the children of Israel who abused the prophets who spoke God’s truth. The others to whom the owner gives the vineyard after destroying the first tenants are, I think, Jesus’ followers (Christians). How are we doing as tenants? Sometimes, not so good. If the vineyard is the earth, we are not taking such good care of it. I read Lizzy’s note about how the pandemic could be viewed as a “servant” sent by the owner to warn us about not taking good care of the earth.
But ultimately, the tenants will be the believers after the second coming of Jesus. The Bible says that the earth will be made new and all believers at the end of this age will be made right.
C. Why did the final tenants want to kill the Son? (verse 7)
They did not want to share their fruit. They wanted control and to not answer to the owner.
D. What does Jesus mean by verse 10?
Jesus is the stone that the builders [Jewish people/leaders] rejected.
E. Why did the Pharisees decide not to try to arrest Jesus?
They feared the people.
4. What idols do you see at work in the hearts of the Pharisees? What motivated them to harden their hearts?
Idols in heart of Pharisees: power, safety from Romans, tradition, power
5. Do you have an idol you run to for your needs? How do you harden your heart against the Lord when He whispers to you to come to Him instead? What lies have you believed?
Right now, I seem to be running to food and screen time. I allow myself to be distracted from Bible study, reading and other things I should be doing. I think “later. I’ll do that later.” Because so many days are the same, being home all the time, I am procrastinating in getting important things done. I believe the lie that comfort is more important than listening to God and self-discipline because I am His.
6. How might you pray for yourself to overcome your heart idols today?
When I am tempted I need to stop and think and run to Jesus. I need to admit that I am not in control and He is. I need to remember that “God does not give us a spirit of fear; but of power and of love and of self-discipline.”
7. Read Mark 12:13-17
A. How were the Pharisees trying to trap Jesus — hoping He would show disrespect for Caesar? How did He escape their trap?
They tried to sway him by flattering him that he did not care about other’s opinions of him. Then they asked him if they should pay taxes.
B. Do you see any practical applications from Jesus’ answer? If so, what?
Jesus said “Give to Caesar the things that are his; and to God the things that are his.” Practical applications: Pay taxes. God’s kingdom is more important than even Caesar’s. How do we give to God the things that are his. Everything is his. I am his. How do I give myself to him today? Prayer. Conscious submission. Conscious following. Obedience to him. Listen to his still, small voice.
8. Read Mark 12:18-27
A. How were the Sadducees trying to show Jesus that He was wrong to teach there was a resurrection?
They asked if a woman had several husbands, whose wife would she be “in the resurrection”.
B. What does He tell them that shows the error of their thinking?
Jesus tells them that there is no marriage in heaven. He also tells them that God is the God of the living. He cannot be God of the dead.
C. Some have taken verse 25 to mean we will become angels. What point is Jesus actually making?
Angels are servants of God. They are neither male nor female. The joy of close relationship in heaven will be greater than the closest relationship here on earth. Life is really about relationships. That is key. Marriage is great at its best; but it is only a shadow of what a great relationship will be in heaven.
D. What do you learn about the resurrection from Jesus’ answer?
We will continue to live eternally. We will be ourselves in our truest sense – without sin, in deep relationship with God and with others – no misunderstandings and hurts as barriers between us. Praise the Lord!
Thanks for these responses Diane. I also wanted to say how deeply saddened I am about the shooting last week. I will pray for your country. The main stream media here has not done a good job reporting on this; in fact I only knew about it from your post. They are totally focused on blaming people/entities for the COVID crisis. Since we visited that area a few years back it especially hits home. Such a nice, quiet, beautiful place with lovely people as I recall.
Also, a question….do you think we will know our loved ones in heaven?
I think so, Laura. They recognized Jesus — though not immediately — and our bodies are going to be like His glorified body. I’m counting on it.
Dee, can I ask a question that comes off of Laura’s. Since there will be no tears in heaven, will be not remember those of our families that have not accepted Jesus and don’t make it to heaven?
Oh yes! They did see Jesus! Thanks Dee!
Thanks, Laura, so your sympathy regarding the Nova Scotian shooting rampage. It is so sad. As more information comes out, it seems this was premeditated. The guy seemed to have a list and he deliberately shot people, burned their homes and then went on to the next place. He shot anyone who threatened his agenda (like those who saw the fires and came to help). Since you have seen Nova Scotia, you know what a beautiful spot it is, but much of it is rural and it is easy to hide. He was driving a police car and dressed in a police uniform, so people would naturally think he was trustworthy. It is hard to all take in.
Also, as to your question, I think we will know our loved ones in heaven. Love is all about relationship so recognizing one another would be important. Peter, John and James recognized Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus so I think that helps us understand that we will know people.
Laura, I do believe that we will know and recognize our loved ones in heaven, because…I’m looking for words here…I believe we will still be fully ourselves, though minus sin…but our mind, our memories will still be there. I mean, we will still be ourselves…our minds won’t be “erased”….otherwise, how would we even have a sense of who we are? Our relationships with those we love are an important part of who we are.
9. Read Mark 12:28-34
A. What is the scribe’s question and Jesus answer?
He asks which commandment is the most important.
B. What is the scribe’s response and Jesus response to him?
The scribe agreed and commended Jesus, Jesus saw that the scribe had answered thoughtfully and declared that he was not far from the kingdom of God.
10. Meditate on verse 30, asking the Spirit to illumine you for your own life. What do you see?
I thought about the spirit flesh struggle in me, that when the flesh gets into the driver seat it is me who I am loving most. But there is a spirit side of me, one that will live on in eternity and he has called me. I so look forward to being rid of my divided heart.
I thought about my trust issues, I can’t wholeheartedly love God when I am distrusting him. I am called to the work of trust, of fixing my mind on what is true and lovely.
11. How might you incorporate the above into prayer?
Oh Father, I do want to be ruled by love, I want to trust you more and more, I feel a failure when I examine my heart and life against this passage. Grow my love and understanding of your grace to the place where my failures will just glorify you in a way that makes me love you more.
12. I keep going back to the different way liberal churches and traditional (meaning the way the churches were when they originated) churches see the purpose of the church. Liberal churches jump right to the second commandment, minimizing the first. Why is the first vital?
My thoughts went to the idea that if I am behaving in a loving way towards people without love for God as a foundation, I am actually serving then with selfish motives, perhaps with a desire to be noticed and appreciated or to feel superior to others who are not doing what I am.
There is a line in a Moody Blues song that says
“And when you stop and think about it
You won’t believe it’s true
That all the love you’ve been giving
Has all been meant for you”
I have been in this place, a long time ago now we we added 3 teens to our household which proved so much more challenging than I ever anticipated. My resentment and bitterness had grown even as Tried to love them. I was deeply convicted by 1 Corinthians 13, that I was doing all I was doing without love. I begged God to intervene and laid down my self-effort which had been so completely fruitless. He changed me, I stopped doing what I was doing expecting appreciation or hoping to be noticed, I did what I was doing as unto the Lord. It was a watershed moment and I am so grateful for it.
It has opened my eyes to see my own motives in a way that has been disturbing, but the knowledge of the battle allows me to cry out for help.
What a testimony, Chris! Thank you.
13. How does Jesus use the very words that scribes have written down to prove to that He is Lord? (Mark 12:35-37) I don’t feel like I see exactly what you may be asking us to see, but he points out that it doesn’t make sense for them to believe that the Messiah would be a mere descendant of David because David calls him Lord.
Because our hearts are idol making factories (Calvin) we need regular help in turning the stones in our hearts back to flesh. Our idols are the stones. Take heed to the following warning of Christ.
14. Of what does Jesus warn in Mark 12:38-40?
To beware of the religious leaders
What do you think are the idols that lead to pretense and concern over outward appearance?
approval, power/control, religious & ethnic pride, moralism/legalism, theological superiority
15. How might you earnestly pray for yourself in regard to the above?
Lord help me examine my own heart well, open my eyes to whatever I stand on for identity, and meaning that is false. Make me rooted and grounded in your love and the security that you will never abandon me so that I can let go of my grasp of lesser things that I think I have to have.
13. How does Jesus use the very words that scribes have written down to prove to them that He is Lord? (Mark 12:35-37)
I never have understood these verses, but here goes again…
Jesus uses two “Lords” in describing what David said. One Lord is God and (I guess) the other is Jesus? The amplified bible helps me here:
“Jesus began to say, as He taught in [a portico or court of] the temple, “ How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself said [when inspired] by the Holy Spirit, ‘T HE LORD (the Father) SAID TO MY LORD (the Son, the Messiah), “S IT AT M Y RIGHT HAND, U NTIL I PUT Y OUR ENEMIES UNDER Y OUR FEET.” ’ David himself calls Him (the Son, the Messiah) ‘Lord’; so how can it be that He is David’s Son?” The large crowd enjoyed hearing Jesus and listened to Him with delight.”
Mark 12:35-37 AMP
https://www.bible.com/1588/mrk.12.35-37.amp
So, Jesus is using the scripture to say that He is the Son of David, meaning He is in the bloodline and is the Messiah.
14. Of what does Jesus warn in Mark 12:38-40? What do you think are the idols that lead to pretense and concern over outward appearance?
He warns of religiosity (as Keller puts it). The pomp and circumstance if you will; looking good on the outside and being hard on the inside. Long prayers, flowing robes and seats of honor.
Are the idols control and approval? I always forget the list of idols. Can someone remind me?
15. How might you earnestly pray for yourself in regard to the above?
Dearest Lord, thank You for reminding me of what is truly important in life. It is not all the “airs” we put on to show others how “good” we are. I am fighting that right now as You know. Help me be strong and submit to You instead of my flesh. It is hard. Help me reach to You when I want to reach to myself and my human-ness. I love You Lord. I don’t want to be this way. In Your Holy Name I pray. Amen.
Laura, I don’t know the list either, but I always think of idols something or an action that is not pleasing to God. Not acting like a Christian should act because I’m putting myself in front for others to see and not Jesus.
Laura, I believe the list (from Tim Keller and what Dee has taught us here) is: power/control, approval/affirmation, and comfort/security.
Thanks Susan!
Thursday
13. How does Jesus use the very words that scribes have written down to prove to them that He is Lord? (Mark 12:35-37)
“While he was teaching in the Temple, Jesus asked, “How is it that the religion scholars say that the Messiah is David’s ‘son,’ when we all know that David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said, God said to my Master, “Sit here at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.” “David here designates the Messiah ‘my Master’—so how can the Messiah also be his ‘son’?” The large crowd was delighted with what they heard.”
Mark 12:35-37 MSG
David himself said ”my Lord/Master”, not son. I feel there’s an assumption here that those He was teaching knew He was the Messiah. If that be the case then His quote of what David says proves He is Lord.
14. Of what does Jesus warn in Mark 12:38-40? What do you think are the idols that lead to pretense and concern over outward appearance?
Beware of religious teachers who are not what they seem to be. The idols of power and approval.
15. How might you earnestly pray for yourself in regard to the above?
I pray for strength to replace my idol of approval, which causes me to parade around in a mask, hoping others won’t see my insecurities but rather the facade I’m trying to portray… with the only approval I need, Jesus’s. I’m so self-centered in looking for that “like” or response, that for the moment may build me up, but then I’m looking for the next fix. Idols are more addictive than I realized.
1. How might you pray for yourself to overcome your heart idols today?
Lord, that you will always be king enthroned on my heart. I know I will mess things up but let me be ever conscious that you are ever-present with me. I can always call on you for help.
Tuesday: Avoiding a Heart Transplant
Kathy Troccoli tells of her own heart transplant. As a young woman, she was intrigued by a lifeguard at the pool who loved Jesus. She and Kathy had many discussions, but Kathy was always trying to outwit her with hard questions, in an attempt to avoid Jesus. Finally, this young woman said, “I can’t answer all your questions, Kathy — but no matter what, one day every knee will bow to Jesus — some who are saved and some who are lost. You will bow too.” That put the fear of God into Kathy and softened her heart.
Here we see the Pharisees and the Sadducees coming to Jesus with hard questions, hoping to trap him, avoiding their own heart transplants.
7. Read Mark 12:13-17
A. How were the Pharisees trying to trap Jesus — hoping He would show disrespect for Caesar? How did He escape their trap?
The Pharisees asked Jesus about paying taxes and questioned his integrity. They also made a sarcastic remark about Jesus paying no attention to what others say. So they thought he will not show respect for Caesar’s law. But Jesus elevated the government here-pay what is due to Caesar and also what is due to God. The forms of government were established by God and we need to be respectful of it as part of our Christian duties.
B. Do you see any practical applications from Jesus’ answer? If so, what?
We should give what is due to the government as obedience to His God-given authorities over us.
8. Read Mark 12:18-27
A. How were the Sadducees trying to show Jesus that He was wrong to teach there was a resurrection? The Sadducees were proposing that since there is no resurrection because of the impossibility of being a wife to somebody specific after being married 7x? I was confused about the mention of “without a child”. Was that an afterthought or part of the trap?
B. What does He tell them that shows the error of their thinking?
The afterlife should not be of concern to them because what matters now is what do they with the truth they are hearing about since they are still living! It will not matter anyway since their destiny is somewhere else.
C. Some have taken the verse 25 to mean we will become angels. What point is Jesus actually making?
He used the word “like” angels. I would take it as more like them in the sense that we will be worshiping and will not have any worries anymore and in the company of the Trinity just as the angels are.
D. What do you learn about the resurrection from Jesus’ answer?
I have more questions than answers. Ugh. Are we married to our spouse in heaven? Would we be living in the same “mansion”? Or is He talking about singles who will die and go to heaven and there is no need for them to marry there because Jesus is their husbands?
Wednesday: Very Close to A Heart Transplant
9. Read Mark 12:28-34
A. What is the scribe’s question and Jesus answer?
What is the greatest commandment? Jesus answered Love God and your neighbor.
B. What is the scribe’s response and Jesus’ response to him?
He acknowledged that Jesus was right and Jesus said he was not far from the kingdom of God.
10. Meditate on verse 30, asking the Spirit to illumine you for your own life. What do you see?
To love God with all my being. It encompasses all areas of my life.
11. How might you incorporate the above into prayer?
Lord, that I will love you with all of me. That my head, heart, soul, and strength be yours. No room for any other.
12. I keep going back to the different way liberal churches and traditional (meaning the way the churches were when they originated) churches see the purpose of the church. Liberal churches jump right to the second commandment, minimizing the first. Why is the first vital?
Loving God first is vital because we cannot love our neighbor in its truest sense if we don’t love God first. Loving others is an outflow of being loved by God. We cannot give out of our emptiness-we need to be filled with the one who was “broken and spilled out” for us before we can love others. We love because He first loved us.