I wonder what Jesus would say if he walked through the “church” today. Would He say “Awesome job” or “Your doing it” or “Your on the right track”? Or would He say “Who are you” or “Why”? Obviously there’s really no way to know but I think there is some insight to be gained from Mark 11:27-13:8.
In these Biblical texts we see some important conversations- Jesus’ credentials (11:27-33); the vineyard (12:1-12); paying taxes to Caesar (12:13-17); the afterlife (12:18-27); the most important commandment (12:28-34); David and the Messiah (12:35-37); the widow’s mite (12:38-40); the destruction of the Temple (13:1-2); and things to come in the future (13:3-36). Amazingly these are often taught as separate stories that have separate meanings. However if you consider them as part of a whole you come up with a completely different perspective.
To validate the notion they are part of the same ongoing conversations let’s track the dialogue. First we seen the beginning scene “as they were walking through the Temple” (11:27-28). In this same citation Jesus is questioned about his credentials by the religious scholars. He answers them in verses 29-33 and we see the transition statement “Then Jesus started telling them stories” (12:1-2). Next is the story of the vineyard (12:1-12) and a transition “they got away from there as fast as they could. They sent some Pharisees…” (12:12-13). Next is dialogue about the afterlife (12:18-27) and the transition statement “One of the religion scholars came up. Hearing the lively exchanges of question and answer…” (12:28). Next is Jesus’ statements on the greatest commandments (12:28-34) and the transition statement “while he was teaching in the Temple” (12:35). Next is Jesus’ question about David and the Messiah (12:35-37) and the transition statement “He continued teaching” (12:38). Next is the story of the widow’s mite (12:38-44) and the transition statement “As He walked away from the Temple” (13:1). Finally Jesus proceeds to discuss the destruction of the Temple and the days to come.
Why go through all this? What does it matter that these stories be considered in the context of the whole conversation? It matters a lot! Rather than several unique or random conversations from which we can draw spiritual value from we need to consider the bigger picture. We must understand them not in part but in whole. Let’s examine the “whole” conversation.
Jesus goes to the Temple where He is confronted by the religious scholars of the day. They questioned His authority and He put them on the spot with questions they couldn’t answer. Next he began telling them the story of the vineyard where He describes workers who are filled with greed who have destroyed the master’s servants and son to take control of the master’s fields. The master then gives the field to others. Next Jesus is questioned about taxes where profoundly answers to Give God what is His and the world what is the worlds. Next He is questioned about the afterlife. Jesus’ answer is to correct their way of thinking and their foundations- they didn’t understand the Scripture or how God works. Next He answers with simplicity a profound statement of God’s priorities for man- the greatest and second commandments. Next Jesus stumps the religious scholars with question about the relationship between David and the Messiah. Next Jesus blasts the religious scholars and their actions especially their exploitation of the weak. Next he points out the actions of the widow giving her contribution to the collection. Finally Jesus when asked to consider the greatness of the Temple foretells its destruction and the future to come.
Have you noticed a trend? I did! Jesus is picking a fight with a bully. Consider the actions of Jesus-
• Jesus goes to the stronghold of the opposition
• The opposition questions His authority
• He answers them by giving them a “no win” situation
• Jesus tells a story that “taunts” the opposition
• The opposition can’t do anything about it
• They to trap Jesus between public opinion and law
• Jesus gives them the only answer they couldn’t handle
• The opposition tries to trap Him again
• He questions their intellect and reasoning
• The opposition questions His priorities and loyalty
• Jesus sets His priorities against theirs
• Jesus gives the opposition a question they couldn’t answer
• Jesus calls them out and shows them up in front of others
• Jesus points out their actions and intentions
• Jesus walks away and predicts their end
So who is the opposition? Who is the bully Jesus is picking a fight with? It’s religion. Jesus is vehemently picking a fight with the religious institution and its disciples. Jesus is pointing out their lack of knowledge, lack of understanding, abuse of power, loss of power, and eventual destruction. The bully here is the religious institution of the day- the Temple! Although originally chosen they had become something else. They had lost their priorities (God and neighbor), they sought after power and prestige, they oppressed those who needed God most, they had set themselves up in great buildings, and according to Jesus they had to be destroyed!
So what would Jesus say today? Think about it...He’s already said it!
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