Mark 12:18-44

“Which commandment is the most important of all?” (v28). While the Sadducees tried to trip Jesus up in theological debate about resurrection (v19), a scribe asked the right question. Jesus complimented the scribe for his “wise answer” (v34), which was that the heart of the law is to “love God and neighbor” (v33). Jesus highlighted the emptiness of religious people who want to look spiritual but ignore the needs of the vulnerable (v38-40).

Acting spiritual and giving a “wise answer” isn’t the measure of our spirituality; instead, it is the generosity of our hearts toward God and others. Jesus points to the lowly widow who “put in everything she had” (v44), demonstrating what real faith looks like.

Mark 12:1-17

“Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours” (v7). Jesus responded to questions about his authority (chp 11) by telling a provocative parable. To reject the vineyard owner’s son (v6) invites judgement. The owner “will come and destroy” them (v9). Rather than heed the warning, they tried to trap Jesus with a question about taxes (v14). He answered perceptively, telling them to “render to Caeser” what is his and to “God the things that are God’s” (17). This silenced them.

Jesus cuts through religious posturing and debate and reminds us that all humans are created in the divine “likeness” and therefore belong to God (v16, Genesis 1). Giving our full selves to the Father through the Son is the only thing that matters.

Psalm 28

“To you, O Lord, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me” (v1). In distress, David cries out, believing that God is not silent to his “pleas of mercy” (v2). He places his trust in God’s commitment to do what is right, to judge evil ones and “render them their due” (v4). Confident in God’s justice, his heart is free to worship, knowing that he has been “heard” (v6). His heart is filled with newfound faith in the Lord, his strength and shield (v7).

“In him my heart trusts, and I am helped” (v7). Like the psalmist, even in our desperate times, we can trust that God is working out his justice and mercy, and he will always be our good Shepherd (v9).

Deuteronomy 9-10

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him ... and to keep the commandments” (10:13). Moses, recounting Israel’s recent history, reminded them of God’s requirements. The original stone tablets of the Law had been broken, but God had mercifully given them a second chance (10:1-5). God desired holiness, yet he knew they were a sinful people. Ultimately, they needed a “circumcision” of the heart (10:16).

“You shall serve him and hold fast to him” (10:20). We cannot “hold fast” to God on our own. But when we turn toward him in sincere faith, through Christ he comes to dwell within us and change our hearts.

Deuteronomy 8

“Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth’” (v17). The Lord knew that due to human sinfulness, the Israelites’ comfort and success in the Promised Land could one day become a trap for them. When they settled down, they might forget God’s provision through the “great and terrifying wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water” (v15). And forgetting their need, they might turn away from Him (v19).

In times of comfort and times of trouble, God wants us to remember that we do not “live by bread alone” but by His sustaining grace and word (v3). We are not self-sufficient but depend on Him every moment.

Deuteronomy 7

“The carved images of their gods you shall burn with fire. You shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them or take it for yourselves ...” (v25). The Israelites were about to walk into a populated land with idols, resources and customs. God’s amazing promises to them – to be with them, to defeat their enemies, to multiply them, to make their families flourish – were only valid when the Israelites kept themselves separate. Adopting their neighbors’ idols and using their silver and gold would lead to disaster.

“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God” (v6). Like Israel, our greatest threat is never external enemies, but our own temptations. As God’s people in Christ, we are called to holiness.

Deuteronomy 6

“And when the Lord your God brings you into the land ... take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” (v10-12). God had demonstrated powerful love toward Israel by rescuing them from the “house of slavery”, so the proper response was loving obedience. Their main command was to love the Lord with heart, soul, and might (v5). Going after “other gods” would be a betrayal of divine love (v13).

“And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord ...” (v18). Because God has proven his sacrificial, rescuing love for us, we trust his Word about what is “right and good.”

Mark 11:11-33

“By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” (v28). Jesus’ cleansing of the temple demonstrated to the religious leaders that his authority would disrupt their control of public worship, finances, and many other aspects of life. They wanted to destroy him because they feared his power, and they were also afraid of the people’s reaction (v18, v32). Jesus’ cursing of the fig tree revealed his judgment against a hardened nation that did not “bear fruit” (v13), and his authority extended to his disciples (v20-25).

Jesus’ authority disrupts our status quo and threatens our self-centered lives. Yet for those who receive him, he brings healing, forgiveness, and salvation. To the humble, his rule brings abundant life.

Mark 11: 1-10

“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (v9). Mark reports that when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey and people celebrated his kingly arrival, he immediately “went into the temple” (v11) and “looked around at everything”. As the faithful Son of the Father, he knew the temple had been corrupted. On the following day, he drove out everyone making money from temple activities and reclaimed the temple’s true purpose: “A house of prayer for all nations” (v17).

“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David” (v10). God’s future good kingdom broke into our world with Jesus, the King of all who receive him. He wants to cleanse us, reclaim us, and return us to our true purpose.

Psalm 27

“You have said, ‘Seek my face.’ My heart says to you, ‘Your face, Lord, do I seek’” (v8). The psalmist’s troubles never ended during his lifetime, but he learned to “hide” himself within God’s care and presence. Through enemy attacks (personal and public, v2-3) and war, he learned to be confident of God’s faithful love. When even his own family failed him (v10), God was revealed as the true Father. The enemy’s purpose would not ultimately succeed, because he was on God’s path (v11).

“Teach me your way, O Lord ... because of my enemies” (v11). Because the world is full of trouble and temptation, the Lord invites us to seek His face, learn His ways, and find security within His abiding presence.

Deuteronomy 5

This chapter continues Moses’ repeating of the Law and history. He recalls the circumstances in which the Law was given at Mt. Sinai with fire, lightning, and earthquake – all of nature seeming to respond to the moment. Israel learned the Law and responded with the right words, 5:28. But v29 says, “Oh that they had such a heart in them that they would fear me and keep all my commandments always, that it may be well with them and their sons forever.” Knowing scripture is important, but it is when we “hide it in our hearts” that it keeps us from sinning against God, Ps. 119:11.

Deuteronomy 4

The book of Deuteronomy (second Law), is more than a recitation of history and Law. Its intent is to show God’s personal involvement with Israel, vs36- 40, that He personally had brought them from Egypt by his power, v37. While Israel stood in one sense in a special relationship with God, God’s treatment of Israel was according to His own character, the same standard which always guides Him. If we sin, we are under judgement. If we repent, He forgives. That is not the exception; that is His character.

Even when our failures have had a great cost in our lives, if we will seek Him from where we find ourselves, we will find Him if we search for him with all our hearts, 4:29. And the mercy which He extended to Israel, He will give to us, His children.

Deuteronomy 2-3

The event of Moses striking the rock with his rod causing water to gush out (Numbers 20) hardly seems to warrant the penalty of prohibition from entering the Promised Land. Moses prayed, apparently more than one time, for forgiveness and permission, until God said, “Enough! Speak to me no more on this matter” 3:29.

Sixteen hundred years later, Jesus took Peter, James and John with him to a mountain in Galilee to pray. Luke 9:30 records a visible glory was present, and Moses and Elijah were seen speaking to Jesus. Moses, who could not cross the Jordan in his earthly life, saw his prayer answered in a far more glorious way. We must keep praying; God does not forget.

Deuteronomy 1

“These are the words of Moses…. After he had defeated Sihon, the king of the Amorites and Og, the king of Bashan… who had lived across the Jordan in the land of Moab,” v1-4. The first time Israel had come this far, the simple report of giants was enough to frighten Israel. This new generation, however, had already defeated a huge giant (Deut. 3:11) and was prepared for the words of Moses to move forward. They had learned giants could be defeated.

Failure does not have to be the last chapter in one’s life. One can learn from it, repent, and believe that God has more.

Mark 10

A wealthy young professional ran to Jesus (10:17-39) and apparently sincerely asked Him how he could attain eternal life (life from above). Jesus pointed out the Commandments that protected human relationships. The man quickly affirmed his obedience to all of them. What Jesus had not pointed out were the commandments that dealt with relationship with God – serving God alone, refusal of any type of idolatry, honoring God’s name and day. Instead, He instructed him to sell all and give it to the poor. If he would, he would have treasure in heaven. The young man failed and sadly left, because his wealth was his god.

God knows what your gods and mine are and is still intolerant of their presence.

Mark 9

The “transfiguration” of Jesus and His conversation with Moses and Elijah were in stark contrast to the real need at the foot of the mountain. The disciples were not able to help a father whose son was “possessed.” When Jesus came from the mountain and observed the problem, He simply said, “Bring him to me.”

No words in any language have more hope than that invitation. The difficulty of the father was his recognition of the limit of his own faith. Even after encouragement by Jesus, the man could only pray, “I believe; help my unbelief.” The boy was delivered. God does not reject limited or incomplete faith when it is confessed. But nor does He accept unbelief, no matter how strong our requests and protestations.

Psalm 26

David begins this Psalm with a prayer, “Vindicate me, O Lord.” He feels that he has been unjustly treated despite his integrity and trust. He even asks God to examine him, to try him, to test his mind and heart, v2. His concern is that when judgement for sin takes place, God might fail to see the difference between his actions and the actions of “sinners.”

Despite everything however, David is determined to “walk in integrity,” yet trust in God’s redemption and grace, v11. That is the “level ground” we all must seek.

Numbers 36

This chapter, an interesting way to close the book of Numbers, gives us a practical application of the Golden Rule (Matt 7:12), the basis of justice. The passage is a follow up to Numbers 27:1-7ff which records the death of a father, Zelophehad, who had five daughters and no sons. To whom would he leave his land? God said through Moses that the land should be the daughter’s. Numbers 36 then questions, “To whom should the land go if the girls died?” The answer was that the girls should marry from within their own tribe to avoid confusion.

Empathy alone can give justice to one, but empathy with wisdom will extend it to all.

Numbers 35

When the new land of Israel was to be divided among the tribes, the tribe of Levi was not given a single large piece, but the Levites were given 48 towns scattered throughout the land. Six of these were called cities of refuge to which a person could flee if he or she had accidentally caused the death of another Israelite. To make this possible, the towns were less than forty miles from each other so that all were less than twenty miles from refuge, in reach of everyone.

God is never too far from us, but we must flee to Him; He is the secure refuge.

Numbers 33-34

The last chapters of Numbers are a synopsis of Israel’s 40 years of travel, the last 38 ½ years because of their rebellion. The challenge they are facing is the command to eradicate the source of the terrible evils practiced by the former inhabitants (Lev. 18:24-30). Failure to do so would allow the former influences to become as thorns in their eyes (Num. 33:55,56).

No one can follow Christ without some challenges and problems; we are in a fallen world. But complete obedience will enable us to avoid some unnecessary difficulties and pains.