Verse: Mark 12:1-44

Parable of the Wicked Tenants
Jesus uses this parable to warn the religious leaders. He says that His father has allowed them to use His 'land' to harvest, but when it came time to collect, or get His part from the leaders, they have insulted him with their antics. Jesus is the farmer's son in the parable, and He again predicts His own death, because the leaders think that they can have their power back if He is dead. But notice how the farmer punishes those who kill His son, and gives the farm over to new tenants. The leaders see that they are threatened, but they fail to believe that they will be punished. They are told what will befall them, and ignore the consequences anyway.
Be sure to think through your everyday actions. If you are taking a new path, listen to the advice and warnings given you. Many times, it requires an outside eye to fully see all possible returns on your actions.

Jesus then defies a trap set by the Pharisees and Herodians. They ask if they should pay taxes to Caesar, which would show that he supported Rome, which was not held in high favor. A 'no' would have meant that He was a traitor. Jesus knows the trap, and says "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." This shocks the questioners. Give that which has the image of your nation to your nation, but give your life, which is emblazoned with the image of God, to God. To fail to do this would be as traitorous as failing to pay your taxes.

Jesus now shows how the Sadducees think of things in the wrong perspective. After you read the passage, note how they ask about wives and husbands on Earth, and what they will become in the afterlife. Jesus tells them that they do not have the perspective of God, which they cannot have, as they are but men. In Heaven, we are not 'married.' We are all brothers and sisters, joined in praising God. It is a joyous place, where there is no hurt.

Then Jesus is approached by a man asking which commandment is the greatest. Jesus replies with "The most important one, is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." The man, who is apparently well versed in the Word, goes on to say that all of the burnt sacrifices and offerings mean nothing in comparison to the love that we should show God. Jesus approves of his answer, and tells the man that he is not far from the Kingdom of God. How great a praise! To be told by the Lord God that we are worthy, or nearly worthy of being with Him forever!

The next passage is a Jesus asking a question that the leaders cannot answer. He does this to show that he has the power of God. He is not showing off, but gaining respect from those who listen. His words are the Mustard Seed, planted in souls, waiting to grow.

As Jesus sits near the offering area, he sees the rich give generously, but not 'til it hurts'. Then he sees a woman give less than one penny. While the Church will not benefit much from this, the woman will. We must remember that our faith is not all about Sunday morning Church, but our daily relationship with the Lord. It is the things we do, pray about, every day that make our relationship worthwhile. Without a personal relationship, where we give all that we can to Jesus, our faith is worthless.