This passage finalizes Jesus' public teaching ministry in Mark, after this Jesus gives Himself to His disciples leading to His crucifixion. After encountering the barrage from the Sanhedrin, Jesus turns the tables and confronts them with some questions of His own. The passage ends with Him lifting up a poor and destitute widow as the ultimate example of discipleship.
Perhaps you've asked the question: if your house was burning - besides family or pets - what would be the one thing you would grab before getting out. In other words, what's most important or significant to you? In a sense that's the question posed to Jesus in this text: of all the commandments which is the most important? Jesus' answer: You've got to love God with all you got and you've got to love others like yourself. It's not an either/or option, it's a both/and imperative - it's all or nothing.
02/11/07 - Norm Funk - Mark 11:27-12:12 - This is part 2 of a mini-series within our study of Mark under the topic, "The authority of Jesus."
"What gives you the right to do what you do", was the question posed to Jesus by the religious leaders of the day - this message deals with the authority of Jesus in light of the ministry of John the preparer of the Way of Jesus and how His authority should change our lives.
Who's in charge of your life? Good question, a question that conjures up all sorts of responses. Most Christians would answer "God or Jesus." Good answer, but in this first of a two part series we ask the question in light of our prayer lives and forgiveness of others.