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Read: Mark 11-12

Today’s reading is Mark chapters 11 and 12, and while they are shorter chapters, there is a lot in them, so let’s really study these words and take them in. I enjoy seeing how scripture is echoed throughout the Bible, as I highlighted below.

We start in Mark chapter 11 when Jesus clears the temple.

“Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there … he overturned the tables of the money changers … as he taught them, he said, ‘Is it not written: “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations”? But you have made it “a den of robbers.”’” -Mark 11:15–17

This connects back to:

“Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the Lord.” -Jeremiah 7:11

Jesus is addressing a heart issue here. Worship had become self-serving instead of surrendered and God-focused. To surrender ourselves to God, we have to lay it all in His hands and trust Him. We see the widow’s offering where she gives everything, a trusting sacrifice.

“… a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins … Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others … they all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything … all she had to live on.’” -Mark 12:42–44

To successfully put our faith and trust in God, we have to believe. Ever heard of faith, trust, and pixie dust? I don’t quite know what the Christian equivalent is. Maybe admit, believe, confess!

“‘Have faith in God,’ Jesus answered. ‘Truly I tell you, if anyone … does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.’” -Mark 11:22–24

Next, we see forgiveness.

“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” -Mark 11:25

Which connects to:

“But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” -Matthew 6:15

Faith and forgiveness go together.

Then in chapter 12, the parable of the tenants points to rejection.

“Haven’t you read this passage of Scripture: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?” -Mark 12:10–11

Also written in:

“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” -Psalm 118:22–23

Then we see truth without compromise.

“‘Teacher,’ they said, ‘we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others … you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth …’” -Mark 12:14

A cornerstone is defined, according to Google, as “an important quality or feature on which a particular thing depends or is based” (Google). God and Jesus are definitely important and definitely who we can depend on.

Next, Jesus speaks on resurrection.

“When the dead rise … they will be like the angels in heaven … ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ He is not the God of the dead, but of the living …” -Mark 12:25–27

Which echoes:

“‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.’” -Exodus 3:6

“‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.’” -Acts 7:32

Then the greatest commandment.

“‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’” -Mark 12:28

“‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘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.’” -Mark 12:29–31

Which connects to:

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart …” -Deuteronomy 6:4–5

“Love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” -Leviticus 19:18

To love your neighbor as yourself is not just being kind when it is easy. It is choosing to reflect God in how you treat people. Your neighbor is your community, your daily life, the people God has placed around you.

Jesus points to His authority.

“‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”’” -Mark 12:36

Also written in:

“The Lord says to my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’” -Psalm 110:1

In Mark 11, we also see people recognizing Jesus as King, but their hearts were not fully aligned.

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days… lovers of themselves… lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God… having a form of godliness but denying its power…” -2 Timothy 3:1–5

To win the battle of your heart, it takes humility. It takes surrender. It takes choosing not to stay comfortable in sin, but to draw near to God. You cannot stay distant from God and expect closeness at the same time.

Discussion Questions

1. What does loving your neighbor actually look like in your daily life? Give one specific example and challenge yourself to accomplish that in the next month.
2. Are your heart and actions aligned when it comes to your faith?

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