Dana Roseman's Thoughts on Scripture

Mark 12:13 (NET) Then they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to trap him with his own words. 14 When they came they said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are truthful and do not court anyone’s favor, because you show no partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn’t we?” 15 But he saw through their hypocrisy and said to them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 So they brought one, and he said to them, “Whose image is this, and whose inscription?” They replied, “Caesar’s.” 17 Then Jesus said to them, “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were utterly amazed at him.

Setting the Trap

The Pharisees and Herodians were natural enemies. They set aside their differences to oppose one whom they both perceived to be a greater enemy – Jesus. Together, they worked to trap Jesus in an infraction of the law or in a theological error.

Disguising their contempt with flattery, they came to Jesus with a question. “Teacher, we know that you are truthful and do not court anyone’s favor, because you show no partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn’t we?” 

Jesus Perceived their Hypocrisy

Jesus saw through them. He understood they were trying to lure him into a theological debate. Rather than answering their question directly, he asked for a Roman coin.

After receiving it he asked, “Whose image is this, and whose inscription?” Jesus often answered a question with a question. Rather than answering directly a question meant to draw him into a useless debate, he asked a question that got to the heart of the matter.

The Heart of the Matter

The heart of the matter was the existence of two kingdoms, two realms of power. There was an earthly kingdom and an heavenly kingdom. God established both. We have a responsibility to both. Only when they are in conflict do we choose one kingdom over another.

Mark 12:1 (NET) Then he began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a fence around it, dug a pit for its wine press, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and went on a journey. 2 At harvest time he sent a slave to the tenants to collect from them his portion of the crop. 3 But those tenants seized his slave, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. 4 So he sent another slave to them again. This one they struck on the head and treated outrageously. 5 He sent another, and that one they killed. This happened to many others, some of whom were beaten, others killed. 6 He had one left, his one dear son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 7 But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and the inheritance will be ours!’ 8 So they seized him, killed him, and threw his body out of the vineyard. 9 What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others. 10 Have you not read this scripture: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 11 This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?” 12 Now they wanted to arrest him (but they feared the crowd), because they realized that he told this parable against them. So they left him and went away.

The Courage of Jesus

Jesus was on the Pharisee’s turf. They had the power of their position. They had official status. Yet, he taunted them.

As he was speaking, they quickly realized it was them he was talking about. They were the tenants.

God Owns the Vineyard and the Wine Press

God is the owner. The Pharisees are the tenants. The slaves were the prophets, ending with John the Baptist. Jesus, the son.

Jesus, the Stone the Builders Rejected

Jesus identified himself as the stone the builders rejected. He is the son the tenants killed. In another place Jesus said the world would hate us because it hates him. We see this world wide. Never in the history of man have so many Christians all over the world experienced the persecution they face now.

Because we belong to Jesus, the world hates us. Even more reason to love one another.

 

Mark 11:27 (NET) They came again to Jerusalem. While Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the experts in the law, and the elders came up to him 28 and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do these things?” 29 Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question. Answer me and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: 30 John’s baptism – was it from heaven or from people? Answer me.” 31 They discussed with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘From people – ’” (they feared the crowd, for they all considered John to be truly a prophet). 33 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Then Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

Pharisees Demand He Explain Himself

“Where did you get your authority?” That is the essence of the Pharisees line of questioning. Since Jesus had recently turned over the tables of the illegal merchants in the temple, that is likely what they were referring to.

He had authority from God. He used it. It was the Pharisee’s authority that was without merit.

Previously, when questioning Jesus’ authority, they accused him of being demonic. He had refuted them with questions they could not answer. Here, again, they demanded an answer. And again, he answered their question with a question, asking if John’s baptism was from heaven or people.

He Caught them in a Dilemma

There was no good way for them to answer and he knew it. He knew their arguments better than they did. And he used it against them.

They consulted with each other and realized they had no answer.

Jesus refused to answer their question as well.

Mark 11:15 (NET) Then they came to Jerusalem. Jesus entered the temple area and began to drive out those who were selling and buying in the temple courts. He turned over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, 16 and he would not permit anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 Then he began to teach them and said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have turned it into a den of robbers!” 18 The chief priests and the experts in the law heard it and they considered how they could assassinate him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed by his teaching. 19 When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.

Turning the Tables

Jesus was not all peace and love. He was passionate. Passionate to love and serve. Passionate in righteousness. He had strong feelings and actions toward those who desecrated the temple. He turned over their tables and chairs. Then, he stood in the way as they tried to carry merchandise through the temple courts to do more selling.

He Taught

Interesting that the word teach is used here. Not correct. Not scold. Teach. He began to teach them. He quoted Scripture, “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” This was primarily a Jewish audience, yet he referred it as a house of prayer for all nations. Even here, Jesus had a broader scope for the reach of the gospel. It was not for Jews only, but for all nations.

Followed by a Rebuke

“But you have turned it into a den of robbers!” They had desecrated the temple. What was a place of prayer, a place to meet with God, they turned into a marketplace.

There is a place for the market. There is a place for buying and selling and for doing business. But not the temple. It had a different purpose. It was a place of prayer.

They Feared Him

Fear was the motive for trying to assassinate him. He had authority. He was popular. He was righteous. Because of that, they feared him. Their response to fear was to make plans to destroy him.

Mark 11:12 (NET) Now the next day, as they went out from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 After noticing in the distance a fig tree with leaves, he went to see if he could find any fruit on it. When he came to it he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.

Mark 11:20 (NET) In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered.” 22 Jesus said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 I tell you the truth, if someone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24 For this reason I tell you, whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your sins.”

Was Jesus Irritated?

Jesus was hungry. He saw a fig tree. It had no figs. He cursed it. The next day, it was withered.

Was he irritated because the fig tree had no figs. It wasn’t the tree’s fault. It was out of season.

It Was a Lead-in to a Larger Lesson

Later, Peter pointed to the tree saying, “Look, the fig tree you cursed has withered,” Jesus answered, “Have faith in God.”

Do not Doubt in Your Heart

Before the instruction to have faith it says, if someone believes and does not doubt in his heart, it will be done. The word doubt means to be at variance with one’s self. To be undecided or unable to commit. The opposite of doubt is faith. Faith is being fully persuaded and committed.

Believe You Have Received Them

To believe you have received something is the essence of faith. It is not a present possession, but a sure possession to be granted in the future.

Everyone who has achieved anything of significance has walked in faith.

The future successful businessman with no money, no skills and no connections exercised faith to accomplish his goal. By faith, he developed skills. By faith, he made connections. By faith, he secured funding. During the early going, he had nothing. By faith, he moved forward until he had it.

The future athlete with no skills, little strength and poor conditioning exercised faith to became a champion. By faith, he developed skills. By faith, he gained strength and conditioning. The early going was difficult, but faith in the attainment of a future goal energized him to exert himself and achieve the goal.

The Importance of Forgiveness

Bitterness is a poison. By drinking it, you harm yourself and diminish the strength you need to exercise faith. Never let bitterness take root. Nothing good comes from it. It saps away the energy you need to exercise faith.

Mark 11:1 (NET) Now as they approached Jerusalem, near Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples 2 and said to them, “Go to the village ahead of you. As soon as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here soon.’” 4 So they went and found a colt tied at a door, outside in the street, and untied it. 5 Some people standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They replied as Jesus had told them, and the bystanders let them go. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus, threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. 8 Many spread their cloaks on the road and others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Both those who went ahead and those who followed kept shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” 11 Then Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. And after looking around at everything, he went out to Bethany with the twelve since it was already late.

Riding a Donkey

Angaria was a Roman law requiring local officials to provide horses to the government for public purposes. It was most frequently used for the Postal Service. When Jesus instructed his disciples to say, “The Lord needs it,” the bystanders may have assumed it was for official purposes, so no one questioned it.

It was predicted in Zechariah 9:9 that Jesus would enter Jerusalem on a donkey colt. “Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Look! Your king is coming to you: he is legitimate and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey – on a young donkey, the foal of a female donkey.”

This is one of over 60 major prophecies Jesus fulfilled in his life and death. God gave the prophecies so we would be able to recognize Jesus as his true son and not an impostor.

The Significance of the Palm Branch

Jesus came into Jerusalem to people laying down palm branches. Palm branches were an ancient symbol of victory, triumph, peace and eternal life. Victors in the ancient Olympic games were awarded palm branches as a sign of their victory. A lawyer would place palm leaves on his front door after winning a case in the forum.

A king who had just won a great battle would come into town to people laying down palm branches to symbolize his victory and the peace that was to follow. The people laying down palm branches as Jesus entered town was a recognition of him as a victorious king.

It was a curious sign of his humility that he choose a donkey rather than a powerful stallion to ride.

Jesus Seen as the Coming King

This scene shows that the people wanted and recognized Jesus as a conquering king. They believed their desire for the ascension of their Jewish king, was happening before their eyes. Rome would soon be conquered, a rightful heir would be on the throne and peace would ensue.

Their dream would soon be shattered. Jesus was coming as king, but he was a different kind of king and his kingdom was a different kind of kingdom.

 

Mark 10:46 (NET) They came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many scolded him to get him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man and said to him, “Have courage! Get up! He is calling you.” 50 He threw off his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus. 51 Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied, “Rabbi, let me see again.” 52 Jesus said to him, “Go, your faith has healed you.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the road.

Bartimaeus Didn’t Want to Miss His Chance

Jesus spent some time in Jericho. It is on the way to Jerusalem. On the way out of Jericho, Jesus, his disciples and a large crowd passed by Bartimaeus.

Bartimaeus likely knew Jesus was only passing through. His window of opportunity was short. Hearing the commotion of the crowd following Jesus, he thought to himself, “It’s now or never.” “If I miss this opportunity to regain my sight, there may never be another.” He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Some in the crowd scolded him, “Be quiet!” He ignored them and shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Jesus Responded

Jesus heard his shouts. He stopped and said to someone, “Call him.”

Jesus, ever the servant, had his ears tuned to hear those in need.

Most of us have our eyes and ears tuned to hear those who may help us advance. Jesus paid those voices little attention. He heard first those with the greatest need.

Mark 10:41 (NET) Now when the other ten heard this, they became angry with James and John. 42 Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions use their authority over them. 43 But it is not this way among you. Instead whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Petty Jealousy in the Ranks

James and John tried to use their status as those closest to Jesus to gain an opportunity to rule with him in his kingdom. The other ten were angry. They were human. It was a part of their nature and ours to get jealous and angry when someone seeks to use his privileged status to gain an advantage.

We see that in full display in America today. Jealousy on the part of one group toward another for an assumed status or privilege. Lower class is jealous of upper class. One race jealous of another. One gender jealous of another. Poor jealous of rich. Uneducated jealous of the educated. There is no end to the jealousy and anger of one group or class against another.

The ten showed themselves human. Their anger shows they would have likely used their own advantages if they had thought of it first.

Jesus Pointed the Way to True Greatness

Instead of arbitrating the situation, Jesus taught the way to true greatness. It is through service. The one who offers the most and best service is the greatest.

The principle of greatness through service is true in most areas of life. The business offering the best service gets the most loyal customers. The man or woman who best serves his or her family finds greatness. The physician who best serves his patients is the most esteemed. The craftsman who gives his customers the best value is the most reputable.

Instead of seeking status, we would do well to seek to be a better servant. Service sets us apart. It is fulfilling. It is meaningful. It is the path to greatness.

Mark 10:35 (NET) Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him and said, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 He said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 They said to him, “Permit one of us to sit at your right hand and the other at your left in your glory.” 38 But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I experience?” 39 They said to him, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink, and you will be baptized with the baptism I experience, 40 but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give. It is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

The Desire to Rule

James and John, nicknamed Sons of Thunder by Jesus, wanted to rule with Jesus. They believed Jesus was destined to establish a kingdom on earth. They thought he would gather an army, overthrow Rome and sit on a throne in Jerusalem. They wanted a special place on either side of him in his new kingdom.

They were partly right. Jesus will eventually set up a kingdom an earth. It will be at his return. His first visit to earth was to be a sacrificial lamb rather than a conquering king.

It was confusing. Jesus did speak frequently about the Kingdom of God. He described it in parables and stories. He depicted it in colorful imagery. To his disciples, he would go into further explanations. But, they never understood the true nature of the kingdom until after he went up to heaven and after the Holy Spirit came. Then their minds opened to a better understanding of the nature of the Kingdom. But now, they missed it.

The desire to rule is a human craving. Young children learn early to manipulate to get their way. Politicians say things people want to hear to get elected. The disciples were no different. John was closest to Jesus. He tried to use that relationship to attempt to gain power. James being the brother of John used that status.

Jesus’ Question

Jesus asked, “Are you able to go through the things I must go through?” They thought they were. Jesus assured them they would go through similar difficulties.

Not His to Give

Jesus acknowledged God’s sovereignty. He assured them the position they sought was not his to give. It is a place already assigned by God. Even though Jesus was God incarnate, God in the flesh, he was still under the rule of God the Father.