Mark 12 -- Jesus Answers 4 Questions Then Asks 1

My commentary says, "Jesus answered four questions, and then He asked them a question that silenced them for good."

A question of authority: They asked him where He got His authority to do what He was doing.  "They weren't seeking truth, they were looking for evidence to use to destroy him.  Jesus knew what they were doing, so He countered their question with another question and exposed their hypocrisy ... God does not teach us new truth if we have rejected the truth He has already revealed ... the Jewish religious leaders had not accepted what John had taught, so why should God say anything more to them?  Had they obeyed John's message, they would have gladly submitted to Christ's authority."

A question about responsibility:  The Pharisees and the Herodians were enemies, but they entered into a temporary alliance to trap Jesus, thinking no matter which way He answered about paying taxes to Rome, they'd have him.  "Jesus looked on taxes as the citizens' debt to the government in return for the services performed ... We must accept the fact that God has established human government for our good.  His answer to them left them both with nothing to charge Him with.

A question about eternity:  The Sadducees stepped up to the plate, presenting a hypothetical question  based on a Mosaic law and resurrection.  They didn't believe in resurrection.  "Jesus revealed their ignorance of two things:  the power of God and the truth of the scriptures.  Resurrection is not the restoration of life as we know it; it is the entrance into a new life that is different ... giving us the new bodies we will need for new life in heaven... In the eternal state, where our new bodies are perfect and there is no death, there will be no need for marriage, procreation, and the continuance of the race ... The Sadducees were also ignorant of the Scriptures.  They claimed to accept the authority of Moses, but they failed to notice that Moses taught the continuation of life after death."  Jesus pointed out what Moses had said.

A question about priority:  "The scribes had determined that the Jews were obligated to obey 613 precepts in the law -- 365 negative ones and 248 positive.  One of their favorite exercises was discussing which of these divine commandments was the greatest.  The Lord quoted Deut. 6:4-5, then Lev. 19:18.  Jesus made love the most important thing in life, because love is the fulfilling of the law.  If we love God, we will experience His love within and will express that love to others."

"Now it was our Lord's turn to ask the questions, and He focused on the most important question of all:  Who is the Messiah?  "What do You think of Christ?  Whose Son is He?"  This is a far more important question than the ones His enemies had asked Him, for if we are wrong about Jesus Christ, we are wrong about salvation.  This means we end up condemning our own souls."

Father, thank You for seeking me out in my sin and showing me the answer to this question.  My eternity is secure, for I know that You are the Christ and the Messiah.  You are the Son of God sent to take away the sin of the world.  Nothing else matters!

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford