In Mark 12-18-27, it's the Sadducees' turn to try to stump Jesus, but this time with a theological conundrum. They know Jesus believes in the resurrection, and think His position is indefensible. They have -an old chestnut- which they know will make a mockery of Jesus and the doctrine He espouses. Jesus then easily shows them why they are completely wrong on this issue. To anyone who thinks that believing in the resurrection is absurd- you are not alone- in being completely wrong- A challenge to all the resurrection-deniers out there- have you ever considered that your position might be the one that is actually absurd--

In Mark 12:35-44, Jesus goes on the offensive against the religious leadership by asking some questions of his own, unmasking their hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is a perpetual problem in the life of the church: a stain on the reputation of the Bride of Christ, a corrosive problem affecting both its membership and its leadership. Sometimes hypocrites vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favor of God (see WCF 18.1), but Jesus reveals the harsh reality that most are charlatans who are not self-deluded but are deceiving others. Jesus is able to unmask the hypocrites in a way that will be instructive for His people.

In Mark 12-13-17, we will be looking at another uncontroversial topic in which every Christian is in perfect agreement- the Christian's relationship to the government -I am being sarcastic--. Jesus is asked a loaded question by the religious leadership of Jerusalem- should we pay our taxes or not-- And despite their insincerity, Jesus provides believers with a principle that will help us navigate this complicated relationship, showing that human governments have a legitimate but limited scope- -Give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's- -Mark 12-17-.

In Mark 12:28-34, Jesus is asked, "What is the greatest commandment [in the Bible]?" And Jesus gives the only right answer to this question by summarizing all the Law requires: whole-hearted love for God and those who reflect His image (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Leviticus 19:18). But having the right answers and beliefs can only get you so far: near the Kingdom of God, but not in it (Mark 12:34).

In Mark 12:18-27, it's the Sadducees' turn to try to stump Jesus, but this time with a theological conundrum. They know Jesus believes in the resurrection, and think His position is indefensible. They have "an old chestnut" which they know will make a mockery of Jesus and the doctrine He espouses. Jesus then easily shows them why they are completely wrong on this issue. To anyone who thinks that believing in the resurrection is absurd: you are not alone… in being completely wrong! A challenge to all the resurrection-deniers out there: have you ever considered that your position might be the one that is actually absurd?

In Mark 12:13-17, we will be looking at another uncontroversial topic in which every Christian is in perfect agreement: the Christian's relationship to the government (I am being sarcastic!). Jesus is asked a loaded question by the religious leadership of Jerusalem: should we pay our taxes or not? And despite their insincerity, Jesus provides believers with a principle that will help us navigate this complicated relationship, showing that human governments have a legitimate but limited scope: "Give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (Mark 12:17).

In Mark 11-27-12-12, it is Tuesday morning, only three days now until Jesus's Crucifixion. Jesus started a conflict with the church's leadership by clearing out the Temple the previous day -11-15-19-, and now they are after Him to see what gave Him the right to cause such chaos -11-27-. Their authority was being ignored and rejected by Jesus. And when they confront Jesus, they actually do not learn anything new- after all, they had witnessed Jesus perform miracles by the power of God for the past 3 years -2-6-. As a blind beggar once said, -Why, this is an amazing thing- You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing- -John 9-30-33-. We will see how Jesus deals with fake pastors just like them.

What makes the Resurrection so special-- Yes, it is a supernatural act that only God can do but this is true of all miracles. The miraculous occasion of someone being brought back to life from death has happened in Scripture before. Elijah brought someone back from the dead -1 Kings 17-22-. Elisha brought someone back from the dead -2 Kings 4-34-. And even Jesus during his own ministry brought Lazarus back to life -along with many others-- So what makes Jesus's Resurrection Day so special-- It is because the Resurrection was not a mere resuscitation- Jesus did not just come back to life, but He died for the sins of His people and was raised for their justification -Romans 4-25-.

In Mark 11:27-12:12, it is Tuesday morning, only three days now until Jesus's Crucifixion. Jesus started a conflict with the church's leadership by clearing out the Temple the previous day (11:15-19), and now they are after Him to see what gave Him the right to cause such chaos (11:27). Their authority was being ignored and rejected by Jesus. And when they confront Jesus, they actually do not learn anything new; after all, they had witnessed Jesus perform miracles by the power of God for the past 3 years (2:6). As a blind beggar once said, "Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing" (John 9:30-33). We will see how Jesus deals with fake pastors just like them.

What makes the Resurrection so special? Yes, it is a supernatural act that only God can do but this is true of all miracles. The miraculous occasion of someone being brought back to life from death has happened in Scripture before. Elijah brought someone back from the dead (1 Kings 17:22). Elisha brought someone back from the dead (2 Kings 4:34). And even Jesus during his own ministry brought Lazarus back to life (along with many others)! So what makes Jesus's Resurrection Day so special? It is because the Resurrection was not a mere resuscitation; Jesus did not just come back to life, but He died for the sins of His people and was raised for their justification (Romans 4:25).