Lesson 11.Taken and Tried
Betrayal and Faithfulness: Jesus’ Final Path to Crucifixion

11.1 Unforgettable
Devotion and Betrayal: An Unforgettable Contrast

Read Mark 14:1-11. Which two accounts are intertwined here, and how do they amplify each other?

Mark 14:1-11 weaves together two very different accounts that amplify one another and create a powerful contrast. The first account deals with the conspiracy of the religious leaders and Judas’ plan to betray Jesus. The second account tells the story of the woman who anoints Jesus’ head with expensive perfume. These two parallel stories represent two completely opposite actions – the woman’s selfless devotion contrasts with Judas’ treachery.

The woman, whose name is not revealed by Mark, offers Jesus a generous and costly gift. Her act is one of love, reverence, and a deep understanding of the significance of Jesus’ impending death. In contrast, Judas, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, is driven by greed and plans to betray his Master for a sum of money.
This “sandwich” of two intertwined stories heightens the tension: the woman’s action is described as “good,” while Judas is searching for a “good opportunity” to betray Jesus. This underscores the stark contrast between the motives of the two characters. The woman is praised by Jesus and remembered for her act, while Judas’ betrayal goes down in history as a symbol of selfishness and destruction.

These two accounts show that, even in God’s plan of salvation, evil and betrayal contribute to the fulfillment of His divine will, as they lead to the salvation of humanity through Jesus’ crucifixion. Both actions, though opposite, ultimately play a role in the proclamation of the Gospel.

How does Romans 8:28 help explain what will happen here?

Romans 8:28 states: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” This promise helps explain what happens in Mark 14:1-11, by showing that even negative or seemingly evil events, such as Judas’ betrayal and the religious leaders’ plot, are ultimately woven into God’s plan and lead to good.

In Mark 14, we see two opposing actions: the woman’s loving, sacrificial gesture, and Judas’ betrayal. At first glance, the betrayal and conspiracy seem solely negative, but Romans 8:28 demonstrates that God can use even these evil acts for good. Jesus’ death on the cross, made possible by Judas’ betrayal, leads to the redemption of humanity.

Thus, Romans 8:28 helps us understand that God works all things, even betrayal and suffering, into His divine plan to fulfill His purpose and ultimately bring salvation to those who love Him. The woman acts out of love and devotion, while Judas acts out of greed and betrayal, but both events play a part in God’s plan to spread the Gospel.

The story of devotion and betrayal in Mark 14:1-11 has a strong connection to our everyday lives and faith. It shows us that our actions and motives in life can have profound consequences and how crucial it is to act from the right inner attitude. The woman who anoints Jesus with costly perfume acts out of pure love, devotion, and reverence. Her act is a reminder that our love for God is expressed through generous and sincere actions—regardless of what others think or how society judges them.

Judas, on the other hand, represents the temptations we face in everyday life, such as selfishness, greed, and betrayal. His decision to betray Jesus shows how easily we can stray from our true purpose and calling due to wrong motives. In our faith journey, we are often faced with the choice: Will we act like the woman, who makes sacrifices out of love and devotion, or like Judas, who takes the path of betrayal driven by selfishness and greed?

The application to our daily lives lies in the fact that we are repeatedly faced with the decision to choose love and devotion to God or to give in to the short-term temptations of life. Even when we are confronted with suffering, betrayal, or disappointment, as was the case in Jesus’ life, Romans 8:28 teaches us that God can bring good even from the darkest moments. This gives us hope that our trust in God will guide us through all challenges, and that every action, whether good or bad, can serve a purpose in God’s greater plan for salvation.

In our faith journey, this story encourages us to examine our motives and to sincerely devote ourselves to God. At the same time, it shows us that God, despite human mistakes and betrayals, fulfills His plans for the salvation and good of those who love Him.

Each day offers the chance to act with love and devotion, thereby fulfilling God’s plan in our lives.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-11-taken-and-tried-11-1-unforgettable-the-book-of-mark-living-faith/

September 8, 2024

DAILY BIBLE READING – Mark Chapter 12

¹ And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.

² And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.

³ And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.

⁴ And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled.

⁵ And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some.

⁶ Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.

⁷ But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.’

⁸ And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.

⁹ What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.

¹⁰ And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:

¹¹ This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

¹² And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.

¹³ And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.

¹⁴ And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?

¹⁵ Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.

¹⁶ And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s.

¹⁷ And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.

¹⁸ Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,

¹⁹ Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man’s brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

²⁰ Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.

²¹ And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise.

²² And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also.

²³ In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.

²⁴ And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?

²⁵ For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.

²⁶ And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?

²⁷ He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.

²⁸ And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?

²⁹ And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

³⁰ And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

³¹ And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

³² And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:

³³ And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

³⁴ And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.

³⁵ And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David?

³⁶ For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

³⁷ David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.

³⁸ And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,

³⁹ And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:

⁴⁰ Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

⁴¹ And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

⁴² And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

⁴³ And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

⁴⁴ For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

King James Version. Public Domain

 

Commentary

Introduction:

Mark Chapter 12 includes a series of teachings and parables that Jesus delivers in the temple before various groups – Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes. The topics range from questions about taxes, the greatest commandment, and the resurrection to critical statements about the hypocrisy of religious authorities. This chapter demonstrates Jesus’ wisdom and authority as he responds to religious and political traps, emphasizing the central message of love and justice in faith.

Commentary:

The parable of the wicked tenants (Mark 12:1-12) is at the heart of this chapter and serves as a sharp critique of the religious leaders who neglected their responsibility to God and His people. The vineyard symbolizes the Kingdom of God, while the tenants represent the leaders of Israel. The mistreatment of the servants and ultimately the killing of the owner’s son reflects the rejection of the prophets and, finally, of Jesus himself. This parable points to the impending judgment of God and the transfer of the Kingdom to those who are faithful.

In the subsequent discussions, Jesus reveals that his wisdom penetrates every trap set by the Pharisees and Sadducees. In the question about taxes (Mark 12:13-17), Jesus exposes the hypocrisy of the questioners by emphasizing a clear distinction between duties to the state and duties to God. In the question about the resurrection (Mark 12:18-27), he corrects the Sadducees’ misunderstanding and demonstrates that resurrection is a reality that transcends earthly concepts of human relationships.

The teaching about the greatest commandment (Mark 12:28-34) is a central statement from Jesus. Here, he emphasizes that love for God and love for one’s neighbor is the foundation of faith. In his criticism of the scribes (Mark 12:38-40), Jesus highlights the hypocrisy of those who appear outwardly pious but are, in truth, driven by selfish motives.

Finally, the behavior of a poor widow (Mark 12:41-44) is praised as she gives everything she has, despite her poverty. This example stands in stark contrast to the wealthy who give only from their surplus.

Summary:

Mark Chapter 12 is a powerful collection of Jesus’ teachings, where he criticizes the religious hypocrisy of the leaders of his time and highlights the true values of faith – love, devotion, and justice. In the parable of the wicked tenants, Jesus foretells his own rejection by the religious elite and God’s coming judgment. In the subsequent discussions, he shows that true wisdom and devotion are not found in outward actions but in the inner attitude of the heart and love for God and fellow human beings.

 

 

 

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/8-09-2024-mark-chapter-12-believe-his-prophets/