Chapter 12 begins with Jesus antagonizing the religious leaders with the parable of the rich land owner and the tenants who kill his son. The religious are angered because they know Jesus is aiming the parable at them. What follows in the chapter are 5 distinct but connected teachings of Jesus that describes what life as a tenant in this world ought to look like.

In this passage, Jesus demonstrates his lordship over nature and fruitfulness with the fig tree, over worship in the temple, and over everything in his teaching on prayer. The question for us is whether or not we will submit to Jesus’ lordship.

In this passage, Jesus demonstrates his lordship over nature and fruitfulness with the fig tree, over worship in the temple, and over everything in his teaching on prayer. The question for us is whether or not we will submit to Jesus’ lordship.

Being a servant means giving yourself away. The Kingdom is counter-culture, to not chase status and privilege. The only way up is servanthood (like Jesus).

Being a servant means giving yourself away. The Kingdom is counter-culture, to not chase status and privilege. The only way up is servanthood (like Jesus).

The story of the rich young man is an opportunity for us to be confronted with the real Jesus and the real Gospel.

The story of the rich young man is an opportunity for us to be confronted with the real Jesus and the real Gospel.

In this passage, Jesus is again tested by pharisees while teaching, this time on the issue of divorce. Jesus goes tot he purpose of marriage, and that our sin complicates things. The point is that we must approach Jesus like that of a child. Children are small, dependent, and uncomplicated.

In this passage, Jesus is again tested by pharisees while teaching, this time on the issue of divorce. Jesus goes tot he purpose of marriage, and that our sin complicates things. The point is that we must approach Jesus like that of a child. Children are small, dependent, and uncomplicated.

Pride is our greatest problem, and is largely paradoxical: when I think I’m finally humble I find I’m not, and many times I’m blind to my pride because it’s disguised as your problem. The good news is that when we follow Jesus’ and his example, we follow the most humble servant who’s ever lived.