Bible Study Week Four of Lent 2014 Gospel of Mark

Mark 12:1-12: The Parable of the Vineyard In this story, Jesus shares the renting out of a vineyard to laborers. When the harvest comes, the owner sends slaves to receive the owner’s share of the produce. The workers kill everyone that he sends. Finally, he sends his son to collect, they kill him, too. Jesus then asks the question, “What then will the owner do?” He will kill those tenants and turn the vineyard over to others.”

Themes to Ponder: 1.What is the point that Jesus is making? 2.Who do the owner, the laborers and the “others” that the vineyard is turned over to represent? Themes to Apply: 1.One of the big emphases in scripture is the theme of stewardship. How is this addressed in this story? 2.Is the church (or those that lead it) ever in danger of being on the wrong side of the “owner’s” intent? In what ways?

Mark 12: The Question About Taxes The Pharisees and Herodians ask about the legitimacy of paying taxes to Rome. This was a very volatile issue because Rome was an occupying force in Palestine/Jerusalem and by many considered an oppressor. Jesus requests for a coin and asks whose image it bears. He then responds, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God.”

Themes to Ponder: 1.Does Jesus really answer the question? 2.If so, what is His response to what is due the Roman authorities? Points to Apply: 1.In light of your answers in love, what is the rightful response of a Christian to secular authority? 2.What does Jesus’ response say about the relationship of Divine authority and secular authority?

Mark 12:18-27: The Question of the Resurrection The Sadducees, non-believers in the resurrection, come to Jesus with the question of “Levirate” marriage. The underlying inference is the absurdity of resurrection. If a husband who has seven brothers dies, and each in turn marries the woman and dies, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be? Jesus response indicates that at the resurrection humanely will be like the angels and not marry. He further asserts that God is the God of the living and not the dead

Themes to Ponder: 1.“Humanity will be like the angels and not marry,” what does this suggest about life after the resurrection? 2.Jesus uses the Old Testament statement that asserts that God says, “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” He interprets that to mean that God is the God of the living, not the dead. What does that suggest about the status of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? Points to Apply: 1.What is your concept of heaven and family relationships in the resurrection / heaven? 2.Does Jesus’ statements about Abraham, Isaac and Jacob mean that God only has relationships with persons during their earthly existence? Or is there a continuing relationship after the end of earthly existence?

Mark 12:28-34: The Great Commandment A scribe (teacher of the law) comes and asks Jesus, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus responds with two commandments, love the Lord your God with all…. And love your neighbor as you love yourself. The scribe commands Jesus and Jesus likewise tells him that “you are not far from the Kingdom of God.” This ends the interrogation from Jewish leadership.

Themes to Ponder: 1.How does Jesus citation of the importance of these two commandments relate to the “Ten” Commandments? 2. Further, what does this say about Jesus’ approach to the Talmud, the Jewish application of the Torah (the law)? Themes to Apply: 1.How do you demonstrate your “love” for the Lord with “all”? 2.Likewise, what does it mean to “love your neighbor as you love yourself”? How do you demonstrate it? 3.What is “good religion” to you? What does Jesus not mention that you would add that summarizes your “life’s approach” to pleasing God?