Mark 12

OK - for tomorrow let's do something a little different. I would like for each of you to post a prayer request and for all of us to be praying for each other through out this journey. You don't have to make it super personal if you don't want to - but I would like to hear from each of you about a way we can be supporting you in prayer. So tomorrow we will post those and start up with Mark 13 on Monday. Over the weekend we'll read Proverbs 13 & 14 on your own.

I also want to extend another invitation if any of you would like to still come to the Joyce Meyer Conference next week. It is March 18-20. We will leave around 4 from the church carpooling on the 18th and return around 3 or 4 on the 20th. We still have room and would love for you to come but I need to know as soon as possible! It should be a lot of fun!

In Chapter 12 Jesus is asked a lot of tough questions but only reveals the truth to those asking. His answers expose the hearts of the Jewish leaders and it isn't so pretty. They become very irritated with Jesus and want to find a way to kill him even more than they did before.

1-12 This section is about selfishness. They are putting possessions ahead of people. It actually was the law that if there were no heirs that the tenants of the land would inherit the property. So by killing the son, they made the property theirs. That is pretty amazing to me that they can commit murder and awarded land.

The capstone is the stone that essentially holds the building together. Jesus is the capstone - the Messiah. He was the one they rejected.

13-17 This section is about Hypocrisy. Jesus said to pay what is rightfully owed. Acknowledge God's rules but recognize human government as well. They didn't want to pay the taxes but they couldn't argue with Jesus because they agreed with what he said.

28-34 The greatest commandments - Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind & strength. Love your neighbor as yourself. These are fairly simple commandments that Jesus gave us but sometimes they can be the hardest for us to keep. I there are many times I don't love the Lord like I should and sometimes I don't love those around me well enough or even myself. But that is something we should constantly strive to do and ask for God strength in doing it.

41-44 I love this part. I think it is interesting in the Bible some of the shortest stories of faith are about women. There is just a little blip about them but it is so powerful and such a great lesson. In the temple there were actually boxes for "temple taxes" and boxes for "freewill offerings." The woman gave out of her poverty (all she had to live on she gave) to the freewill offering. It wasn't even required of her... taxes are required but the offering is a choice. I firmly believe in giving out of our own need. I believe the Lord can and will honor this in ways we can't imagine because of our obedience to trust him and rely on him. I know that we can attest to that in our lives. God has been SO good and really does know each of our needs.

Hope you all have a blessed day today! If you have friends would would like to participate with us in finishing the book of Mark - please ask them to join us! I'll be posting where and when our first get together will be when we are finished with the book of Mark!