Temple Talk, 9 May 2021
Temple Talk
Series—Mark: The Real Jesus
Mark 12:35-44
Series Big Idea: Mark’s gospel is the most concise biography of Jesus.
Big Idea: Jesus has choice words about the heart of God and the heart of humans.
We’ve been exploring the life and teachings of Jesus as recorded by John Mark in his gospel or “good news” biography of Christ. Perhaps our greatest quest in this extensive sermon series is to more fully answer the question, “Who is Jesus?” Since our church, our Alliance family, all of Christianity is based upon Jesus, the more we can understand his life, teachings, example, death, and resurrection, the more vibrant and authentic our faith.
If you’ve been with us throughout this series, Jesus’ popularity is causing great envy among the religious leaders. They were so jealous, they were devising plans to have him killed. The crowds loved him, though, and so they devised questions to try to trap Jesus and discredit him among the general public. In our text for today, Jesus turns the tables, so to speak, and presents questions of his own.
King David wrote,
The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.” (Psalm 110:1, NLT)
This is known as a prophetic song following a revelation from God. It is quoted in Acts 2:34-35 and Hebrews 11:13. It also appears in our text for today.
While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, “Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David? (Mark 12:35)
Jesus is in Jerusalem and he challenges the religious leaders about the promised Messiah. He would be a son or descendent of David, yet Psalm 110 reveals something rather remarkable. Jesus explains.
David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared:
“ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.” ’ (Mark 12:36)
Now Jesus asks his question.
David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?” (Mark 12:37a)
How can Jesus be David’s son and David’s LORD?
This is a mystery, yet it was announced hundreds of years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem (see Psalm 2, 89, 2 Samuel 7).
Jesus is fully human, the son of David.
Jesus is fully deity, the son of God.
Jesus poses a question nobody answers. He is unique. He is virgin-born. He is the fulfillment of centuries of prophecies. He is the Messiah! He is uniquely prophet, priest, and king. Here in the temple, he declares his authority over the Temple, over Israel, over the world.
Although Mark tells us nothing about the speechless religious leaders, he says,
The large crowd listened to him with delight. (Mark 12:37b)
I wonder, do you listen to Jesus with delight? Do you read the Bible with delight? Do you delight in your life with God? He delights in you. He sings over you. He loves to hear your voice in prayer.
King David wrote,
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)
I know it’s sometimes hard to have a relationship with Someone you cannot see or hear or touch, but we’re blessed with sixty-six books to enjoy, the Holy Spirit living inside of us, and a God who is active, listening, and present 24/7/365.
The large crowd listened to him with delight. (Mark 12:37b)
Notice the common people loved him! Now Jesus finishes his public teaching.
As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. (Mark 12:38-39)
Have you ever met an entitled person? They feel they deserve special privileges and treatment. They can be found in most any culture, including our own.
I did a little research and came across a few modern examples.
- "My daughter worked at Sephora, and once — when the checkout line was really long — a woman cut in front of everyone saying, ‘I need to go first because I just know I’m spending more money today than the lot of you.'"
- "A woman called our dentist office and requested an appointment at a specific date and time. When I told her there was already someone scheduled at that time, she had the audacity to say, 'Well, can’t you just MOVE them?'”
- "I work at a restaurant, and one of our servers complimented a woman on her purse hanging over her chair. The woman responded, 'Oh, honey, you’ll never be able to afford this.'"
- "I work reception at a vet and we had a puppy rushed in who wasn't breathing. A guy who was waiting asked me how long he'd have to wait for his pet's appointment and I apologized and explained about the puppy. He huffed and said, 'It's taking a long time, isn't it?!' His appointment was for his guinea pig to have a nail trim."
Jesus calls out the teachers of the law…the scribes…the religious scholars. If they were here today, they would surely wear fancy clothes, drive fancy cars…or be driven in fancy cars! They were impressive and loved the attention of their power, their prestige, their position. Jesus is issuing a warning about them, no doubt further enraging them. He’s not done!
They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.” (Mark 12:40)
The King James Version says they “shall receive greater damnation.” Ouch! Hypocrites will be given great condemnation, perhaps the greatest.
Widows were often destitute without a working husband. The Bible gives instructions on how to care for them, particularly in Paul’s first letter to Timothy. The teachers of the law clearly had no respect for them, perhaps because they were unable to make big donations to their cause.
The mention of lengthy prayers is explicit: it’s just a show for people rather than communication with God.
I can just hear the disciples: “Jesus, you might want to zip it! You’re going to get yourself killed!”
He did!
This marks the end of Jesus’ public ministry in Jerusalem. What follows involves only his disciples and is not found in the parallel account in Matthew chapter 23.
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. (Mark 12:41)
How does Mark know the rich threw in large amounts? They did it publicly! They put on a show. They wanted everyone to know how rich they were. They wanted everyone to know how generous they were.
Have you ever heard about a multi-millionaire making a large donation to a charity? I love to hear about generous people, but often the amount is not as significant as it may appear. If a billionaire gives away a million dollars, it’s only 1/10 of 1% of their wealth! If you earn $50,000, it’s like giving away $50!
But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. (Mark 12:42)
I imagine those religious leaders paid no attention to this offering. Remember, Jesus had just talked about how they treated poor widows. But who were the better worshippers, the teachers of the law or this widow?
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. (Mark 12:43)
How could a few cents be more than the offerings of the rich?
They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:44)
Jesus saw what she kept for herself. Nothing!
How much do you keep for yourself? How much do you really love Jesus?
The ultimate giving is sacrificial. It costs something.
The rich gave what was extra. The woman gave everything. It reminds me of the story of the chicken and the pig. They are both asked to provide for a breakfast plate. The chicken offered an egg which was easily spared. The pig’s contribution required everything!
Last Sunday, Pastor Donald taught on the Great Commandment from the previous passage of Mark.
Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31)
One of the ways we love God is with our generosity. We worship through giving. We declare our allegiance to the LORD through the stewardship of our wealth, our money, no matter how much we have.
I’ve had people over the years ask me if tithing is a command for us today. Tithe literally means ten percent and it was prescribed in Old Testament worship, not only of cash but crops.
“ ‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. (Leviticus 27:30)
I believe that was the starting point, the minimum…ten percent. In the last book of the Old Testament, the prophet Malachi recorded this:
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. (Malachi 3:10)
The people weren’t even giving ten percent, yet God made a promise to them. I believe this is the only time God says, “Test me.”
This is not a subtle fundraising speech. We’re not desperate for money around here. But I want you to take Jesus’ words seriously.
Some of you have very little money…and yet some of you are very generous with what little you have. Others of you think nothing of buying expensive clothes, toys, cars, or even homes…yet you struggle to give more than a percent or two to God…if that!
I don’t know who gives what, but I’m told we have church members who didn’t give a dime last year! Again, it’s not that I’m begging for your money. I’m simply concerned that you’re missing out on the thrill of giving, of investing in God’s Kingdom, and the blessings God grants those who are obedient.
In today’s text, Jesus contrasts the impressive yet entitled religious leaders with the generosity of a poor widow. Who loved God more? Who was the most generous? Who was the better steward?
Once again, I’m reminded of God’s message to Samuel:
“The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7b)
How is your heart? Where is your heart?
One More Thing
Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all. (Proverbs 22:2)
I love the mosaic God is creating that we call the First Alliance family. It’s easy to see black, brown, and white, but we have people who are homeless and people who have beautiful homes. We have doctors, lawyers, and those who make minimum wage. Some of us haven’t graduated from high school while others have their doctorate degree. But we’re family. We’re a Jesus-centered family. We do life together. We need one another. We love and serve and pray for one another. Where else can you find such a group of different types of people together? That’s the Kingdom of God! It’s beautiful!
Before we close, I want to remind you of our benevolence fund. It’s used to serve family members in need. You can give to it anytime…and if you find yourself in need, you can fill out a Benevolence Form which can be found in our lobby kiosk or at the bottom of the FAC Focus e-newsletter each Sunday morning. Please take advantage of this opportunity to give and receive, to love one another, to be good stewards and share together in the blessings of God.
You can listen to this message and others at the First Alliance Church podcast here.
You can watch this video and others at the First Alliance Church Video Library here.
Series—Mark: The Real Jesus
Mark 12:35-44
Series Big Idea: Mark’s gospel is the most concise biography of Jesus.
Big Idea: Jesus has choice words about the heart of God and the heart of humans.
We’ve been exploring the life and teachings of Jesus as recorded by John Mark in his gospel or “good news” biography of Christ. Perhaps our greatest quest in this extensive sermon series is to more fully answer the question, “Who is Jesus?” Since our church, our Alliance family, all of Christianity is based upon Jesus, the more we can understand his life, teachings, example, death, and resurrection, the more vibrant and authentic our faith.
If you’ve been with us throughout this series, Jesus’ popularity is causing great envy among the religious leaders. They were so jealous, they were devising plans to have him killed. The crowds loved him, though, and so they devised questions to try to trap Jesus and discredit him among the general public. In our text for today, Jesus turns the tables, so to speak, and presents questions of his own.
King David wrote,
The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.” (Psalm 110:1, NLT)
This is known as a prophetic song following a revelation from God. It is quoted in Acts 2:34-35 and Hebrews 11:13. It also appears in our text for today.
While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, “Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David? (Mark 12:35)
Jesus is in Jerusalem and he challenges the religious leaders about the promised Messiah. He would be a son or descendent of David, yet Psalm 110 reveals something rather remarkable. Jesus explains.
David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared:
“ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.” ’ (Mark 12:36)
Now Jesus asks his question.
David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?” (Mark 12:37a)
How can Jesus be David’s son and David’s LORD?
This is a mystery, yet it was announced hundreds of years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem (see Psalm 2, 89, 2 Samuel 7).
Jesus is fully human, the son of David.
Jesus is fully deity, the son of God.
Jesus poses a question nobody answers. He is unique. He is virgin-born. He is the fulfillment of centuries of prophecies. He is the Messiah! He is uniquely prophet, priest, and king. Here in the temple, he declares his authority over the Temple, over Israel, over the world.
Although Mark tells us nothing about the speechless religious leaders, he says,
The large crowd listened to him with delight. (Mark 12:37b)
I wonder, do you listen to Jesus with delight? Do you read the Bible with delight? Do you delight in your life with God? He delights in you. He sings over you. He loves to hear your voice in prayer.
King David wrote,
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)
I know it’s sometimes hard to have a relationship with Someone you cannot see or hear or touch, but we’re blessed with sixty-six books to enjoy, the Holy Spirit living inside of us, and a God who is active, listening, and present 24/7/365.
The large crowd listened to him with delight. (Mark 12:37b)
Notice the common people loved him! Now Jesus finishes his public teaching.
As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. (Mark 12:38-39)
Have you ever met an entitled person? They feel they deserve special privileges and treatment. They can be found in most any culture, including our own.
I did a little research and came across a few modern examples.
- "My daughter worked at Sephora, and once — when the checkout line was really long — a woman cut in front of everyone saying, ‘I need to go first because I just know I’m spending more money today than the lot of you.'"
- "A woman called our dentist office and requested an appointment at a specific date and time. When I told her there was already someone scheduled at that time, she had the audacity to say, 'Well, can’t you just MOVE them?'”
- "I work at a restaurant, and one of our servers complimented a woman on her purse hanging over her chair. The woman responded, 'Oh, honey, you’ll never be able to afford this.'"
- "I work reception at a vet and we had a puppy rushed in who wasn't breathing. A guy who was waiting asked me how long he'd have to wait for his pet's appointment and I apologized and explained about the puppy. He huffed and said, 'It's taking a long time, isn't it?!' His appointment was for his guinea pig to have a nail trim."
Jesus calls out the teachers of the law…the scribes…the religious scholars. If they were here today, they would surely wear fancy clothes, drive fancy cars…or be driven in fancy cars! They were impressive and loved the attention of their power, their prestige, their position. Jesus is issuing a warning about them, no doubt further enraging them. He’s not done!
They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.” (Mark 12:40)
The King James Version says they “shall receive greater damnation.” Ouch! Hypocrites will be given great condemnation, perhaps the greatest.
Widows were often destitute without a working husband. The Bible gives instructions on how to care for them, particularly in Paul’s first letter to Timothy. The teachers of the law clearly had no respect for them, perhaps because they were unable to make big donations to their cause.
The mention of lengthy prayers is explicit: it’s just a show for people rather than communication with God.
I can just hear the disciples: “Jesus, you might want to zip it! You’re going to get yourself killed!”
He did!
This marks the end of Jesus’ public ministry in Jerusalem. What follows involves only his disciples and is not found in the parallel account in Matthew chapter 23.
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. (Mark 12:41)
How does Mark know the rich threw in large amounts? They did it publicly! They put on a show. They wanted everyone to know how rich they were. They wanted everyone to know how generous they were.
Have you ever heard about a multi-millionaire making a large donation to a charity? I love to hear about generous people, but often the amount is not as significant as it may appear. If a billionaire gives away a million dollars, it’s only 1/10 of 1% of their wealth! If you earn $50,000, it’s like giving away $50!
But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. (Mark 12:42)
I imagine those religious leaders paid no attention to this offering. Remember, Jesus had just talked about how they treated poor widows. But who were the better worshippers, the teachers of the law or this widow?
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. (Mark 12:43)
How could a few cents be more than the offerings of the rich?
They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:44)
Jesus saw what she kept for herself. Nothing!
How much do you keep for yourself? How much do you really love Jesus?
The ultimate giving is sacrificial. It costs something.
The rich gave what was extra. The woman gave everything. It reminds me of the story of the chicken and the pig. They are both asked to provide for a breakfast plate. The chicken offered an egg which was easily spared. The pig’s contribution required everything!
Last Sunday, Pastor Donald taught on the Great Commandment from the previous passage of Mark.
Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31)
One of the ways we love God is with our generosity. We worship through giving. We declare our allegiance to the LORD through the stewardship of our wealth, our money, no matter how much we have.
I’ve had people over the years ask me if tithing is a command for us today. Tithe literally means ten percent and it was prescribed in Old Testament worship, not only of cash but crops.
“ ‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. (Leviticus 27:30)
I believe that was the starting point, the minimum…ten percent. In the last book of the Old Testament, the prophet Malachi recorded this:
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. (Malachi 3:10)
The people weren’t even giving ten percent, yet God made a promise to them. I believe this is the only time God says, “Test me.”
This is not a subtle fundraising speech. We’re not desperate for money around here. But I want you to take Jesus’ words seriously.
Some of you have very little money…and yet some of you are very generous with what little you have. Others of you think nothing of buying expensive clothes, toys, cars, or even homes…yet you struggle to give more than a percent or two to God…if that!
I don’t know who gives what, but I’m told we have church members who didn’t give a dime last year! Again, it’s not that I’m begging for your money. I’m simply concerned that you’re missing out on the thrill of giving, of investing in God’s Kingdom, and the blessings God grants those who are obedient.
In today’s text, Jesus contrasts the impressive yet entitled religious leaders with the generosity of a poor widow. Who loved God more? Who was the most generous? Who was the better steward?
Once again, I’m reminded of God’s message to Samuel:
“The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7b)
How is your heart? Where is your heart?
One More Thing
Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all. (Proverbs 22:2)
I love the mosaic God is creating that we call the First Alliance family. It’s easy to see black, brown, and white, but we have people who are homeless and people who have beautiful homes. We have doctors, lawyers, and those who make minimum wage. Some of us haven’t graduated from high school while others have their doctorate degree. But we’re family. We’re a Jesus-centered family. We do life together. We need one another. We love and serve and pray for one another. Where else can you find such a group of different types of people together? That’s the Kingdom of God! It’s beautiful!
Before we close, I want to remind you of our benevolence fund. It’s used to serve family members in need. You can give to it anytime…and if you find yourself in need, you can fill out a Benevolence Form which can be found in our lobby kiosk or at the bottom of the FAC Focus e-newsletter each Sunday morning. Please take advantage of this opportunity to give and receive, to love one another, to be good stewards and share together in the blessings of God.
You can listen to this message and others at the First Alliance Church podcast here.
You can watch this video and others at the First Alliance Church Video Library here.