The Passover Mark 14:1-26

 

As we consider the place of the Passover in Jesus’ final week, we will start with Leviticus 23.

Leviticus 23:1-4 says:

Leviticus 23:1–4 (NLT) 1The Lord said to Moses, 2“Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. These are the Lord’s appointed festivals, which you are to proclaim as official days for holy assembly. 3“You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of complete rest, an official day for holy assembly. It is the Lord’s Sabbath day, and it must be observed wherever you live. 4“In addition to the Sabbath, these are the Lord’s appointed festivals, the official days for holy assembly that are to be celebrated at their proper times each year. 

The rest of Leviticus 23 gives the rules to be followed in celebrating seven different feasts. Each feast was designed to teach Israel about God. Three of these feasts were pilgrimage feasts. In other words, three of these feasts required that every male in Israel travel to Jerusalem to observe the celebration.

The feasts were:

Passover

Unleavened Bread

First Fruits

Feast of Weeks or Pentecost

The Feast of Trumpets

The Day of Atonement

The Feast of Booths

Each feast reveals a different truth about the gospel and God’s plan for the ages.

God chose Israel to be uniquely His. However, His purpose in doing this includes the salvation of the world. As we make you a quick review of Israel’s feasts, we will observe that each feast pointed to Jesus. The feasts were as follows: (I have taken much of this review of the feasts from Wycliffe’s website.)

1. Passover — Leviticus 23:4-8

 Passover retells the story of Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt and the last plague. In this plague, the angel of death “passed over” the children of Israel who applied the blood of the lamb to their doors. 

2. Unleavened Bread — Leviticus 23:6

This seven-day feast begins on the day following the start of Passover. In their haste to leave Egypt, the Israelites had no time to add leaven (yeast) to their bread. During this time, the Jews eat nothing leavened.

3. First Fruits — Leviticus 23:10

The Feast of First Fruits is the first of three Jewish harvest feasts. 

The priests sacrificed Passover lambs on the 14th day of the month of Nisan, and the first day of Passover was the 15th. The Feast of First Fruits was celebrated on the third day, the 16th of Nisan. This “third day” celebration was the same day that Jesus rose from the dead. In 1 Corinthians 15:20, Paul refers to Jesus as the first fruits of all who have died. 

4. Feast of Weeks or Pentecost — Leviticus 23:16

This feast is the second of the three harvest feasts. It occurs seven weeks after the Feast of First Fruits, so it’s also called Pentecost, which means “50 days.” 

5. Feast of Trumpets — Leviticus 23:24

For this feast, God commands his people to rest. During this time, all regular work is prohibited, and men and women present a food offering to God.

6. Day of Atonement — Leviticus 16, 23:26-32

To make “atonement” is to make restitution for wrongs. This was a day for the Jews to get their hearts, consciences, and lives right before God. Animals were sacrificed for sin, and on this one day of the year, the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies. 

7. Feast of Tabernacles or Booths — Leviticus 23:34

 Following the Day of Atonement. The nation celebrated God’s provision and protection during their 40 years in the wilderness with the Feast of Tabernacles. For seven days, people live in temporary structures as they did in the wilderness. During those 40 years, the Lord was with the Israelites in a tent called the tabernacle, so the feast also celebrates his presence as he tabernacles (dwells) with us.

On three of these feasts, God required that all the men of Israel gather in Jerusalem. In Deuteronomy, God said:

Deuteronomy 16:16 (NKJV) Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed.

The three pilgrimage feasts were:

Passover

the Feast of Weeks

the Festival of Booths

Passover was when Jesus was crucified. The feast of weeks was when the Church was born, and the Festival of Booths will be when Jesus sets up His kingdom.

This brings us back to the final week of Jesus’ ministry to the nation of Israel. All the men of Israel were in Jerusalem for the slaying of the Passover. The whole nation needed to witness the death of the Lamb of God.  This is why Jesus was in Jerusalem. He is the true Passover Lamb, the Lamb of God.

We have noted in previous messages that prophecies often have prefiguring fulfillments. The delivery of the Jews from slavery in Egypt and the Passover celebration all prefigured the Messiah’s coming to deliver His people. 

Since every Jewish male was mandated to be in Jerusalem for the Passover, the city became incredibly crowded. The Jewish historian Josephus said that during Passover, the population of Jerusalem exceeded two million. However, some modern scholars think he exaggerated and suggest that the population grew from 20,000 to 150,000. (https://www.chosenpeople.com/site/passover-in-israel-past-and-present. Accessed March 18, 2021.)

When Jesus came to Jerusalem, the city was bursting with excitement. Much of the excitement was concerning Jesus. The people were wondering if He would come to the feast. In his gospel, John tells us:

John 11:56 (NKJV) Then they sought Jesus, and spoke among themselves as they stood in the temple, “What do you think—that He will not come to the feast?”

Jesus rode into this commotion on a donkey’s colt, cleansed the temple, and challenged the nation’s leaders. Mark 14 picks up two days before the Passover Lamb was to be sacrificed and tells us that the nation’s leaders were seeking an opportunity to arrest Jesus and kill Him, but they feared the crowds.

Everything was working toward fulfilling God’s plan, which was prefigured in the feast instituted over a thousand years earlier.

After noting that the leaders were seeking to kill Jesus, Mark takes us to an intimate scene as Jesus finished the day eating with His disciples.  A woman enters this scene. Mary brought in some very costly perfume and poured it on Jesus’ head.

Some of the disciples reacted. John tells us that the complaints came chiefly from Judas because he kept the money and made a practice of borrowing some of it for his personal use. They asked why this perfume was not sold and given to the poor. However, Jesus rebuked them and said that His body needed to be prepared for burial. Here again, God’s plan that His Passover Lamb should be prepared for sacrifice was being fulfilled.

The Passover lamb was always carefully chosen and was without blemish. Here is what the Bible says: 

Exodus 12:5 (NKJV) Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats.

Care was taken so that the lamb would meet these requirements, and then it was carefully prepared for sacrifice. 

With preparations for the lamb to be sacrificed complete, Judas went out to the chief priests to betray Him.

Mark 14:12 brings us to the place where Jesus is ready to be betrayed. However, he must first celebrate Passover with his disciples. Verses 13 and 14 tell how the disciples were directed to find a room to prepare the Passover meal. Jesus did not tell them where, but only that they would be led to the room. He did this to avoid being interrupted by those who wanted to kill him. Only those who were preparing the room knew where it was. Judas had to leave the meal and go find the chief priests and tell them where Jesus was because he did not know in advance.

Passover was in the first month of the Jewish year. The Passover meal was especially significant and is still celebrated today. Each part of the meal signifies and points to the Messiah. It is shocking to realize that Judas determined to betray Jesus at such a sacred time. John 13:27 tells us that Satan entered into Judas. However, this also was according to God’s plan.

Jesus shows that he is fully aware of what is happening. He tells his disciples that one of them would betray him. Eleven of them were wondering if it was them, and we’re asking, “Is it I Lord, is it I?” Judas faked it. He also said, “Is it I?” Matthew tells us that Jesus said, “You said it.” (Matthew 26:25) But to all of them, Jesus said, “It is the one who dips with me into the dish.”

As part of the Seder meal, three pieces of matzo are put into an envelope, each separated by a cloth. We, believers, know that the top one represents God the Father, the middle one represents God the Son, and the bottom one represents the Holy Spirit. The middle one is broken during the meal.

This is what happened to Jesus. He was wounded for our transgressions. Isaiah 53 says of Him:

Isaiah 53:4–5 (NKJV) 4Surely He has borne our griefs

And carried our sorrows;

Yet we esteemed Him stricken,

 Smitten by God, and afflicted.

5But He was wounded for our transgressions,

He was bruised for our iniquities;

The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,

And by His stripes we are healed.

When Jesus took up the bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, He was doing what is still done in the Passover meal today. However, He made it clear that this was His body that was broken. We celebrate the communion, and we should, but when Jesus spoke these words, it was part of a Jewish Passover meal.

Next, we are told Jesus took a cup and said, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many.” (Mark 14:24) In the Passover meal, there are four times when everyone present drinks a glass of wine. Each cup has its significance. They stand for each of the four promises the Lord makes to His people in Exodus 6:6-7.

Exodus 6:6–7 (NKJV) 6Therefore say to the children of Israel: ‘I am the Lord; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. 7I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 

The first cup is the Cup of Sanctification.

“I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.”

The second cup is the Cup of Deliverance (also known as the cup of plagues).

“I will rescue you from their bondage.”

The third cup is the Cup of Redemption.

“I will redeem you with an outstretched arm.”

The fourth cup is the Cup of Praise (also known as the cup of the kingdom).

“I will take you as My people.”

Jewish tradition is that the cups are filled with red wine to represent the Passover lamb’s blood.

Jesus took the third cup and said, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many.” He was referencing that He was the Passover lamb, the Lamb of God.

Mark ends his account of the Passover meal with an important piece of information. Jesus said:

Mark 14:25 (NKJV) Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

I take it that Jesus declined to drink the fourth cup. He is saving it until the time of praise and rejoicing when He sets up His kingdom.

I want to close with a thought. The blood of the Passover lamb was put on the side post and the top bar of the door, but not on the threshold. It would not have been appropriate to step on the blood of the lamb.

Consider with me the words of Hebrews 10.

Hebrews 10:26–29 (NKJV) 26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

Seeing that Jesus purposefully and with full knowledge took upon Himself our sins and died to deliver us, dare we refuse His kindness? 

The Great Tribulation

Mark 13

Jesus finished His final days of public ministry in the temple, His Father’s house. He gave His people, the nation of Israel, one last chance to accept Him as their Messiah.

How heavy His heart must have been as He walked away! Matthew gives us a detail that Mark omits. As Jesus walked out of the temple for the last time, He said:

Matthew 23:37–39 (NKJV) ³⁷“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! ³⁸See! Your house is left to you desolate; ³⁹for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

Even after suffering their rejection, Jesus expressed God’s love for the nation of Israel and mourned their coming hardships.

As He went out of the temple, His disciples observed how majestic the temple was. Impressive stones and buildings caught their attention. This gave Jesus a teaching moment. He said:

Mark 13:2 (NKJV) Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

The same is true of all our buildings. Time and nature will break them down. But Jesus was not speaking of time and nature. He was speaking of the consequences of their rejection of the Messiah. He was speaking of the fulfillment of the prophecy given by Moses just before He died.

Deuteronomy 4:26–27 (NKJV) ²⁶I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that you will soon utterly perish from the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess; you will not prolong your days in it, but will be utterly destroyed. ²⁷And the Lord will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the Lord will drive you.

When the disciples heard Jesus say the temple would be destroyed, they did not connect it withMoses’ prophecy. Most likely, they thought that Nebuchadnezzar fulfilled  Moses’ prophecy.

Here is an excellent opportunity for us to be reminded that prophecies often have foreshadowing fulfillments. The nation’s dispersion under the Babylonians looked a little like the nation’s dispersion after the country’s crushing under Hadrian in 132 A.D. They were not the same, yet there were similarities. Keep this in mind as we go through Mark 13. It will be helpful.

Having heard Jesus predict the temple’s destruction, the disciples wanted to know when these events would occur. In answer, Jesus gave them an outline of future events up to the time of His return. We can see the importance of His message because Matthew, Mark, and Luke all report this talk. 

The first point Jesus makes is that there will be many hardships. But hardships, wars, natural disasters, famines, and plagues are not signals of the end. According to Jesus, these are only the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:8)

Jesus takes special care to explain that His followers will suffer much, but this does not signal the end.

He is describing the Church age of which we are part. The Church age started with the events reported in Acts and continues to this day. In Mark chapter 13 verse 13, Jesus tells what will signal the end of the Church age. 

Mark 13:13 (NKJV) And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Pay close attention here! The primary meaning of the word translated “endures” in the passage is “to remain.” Technically Jesus is saying, “Those that remain in the end shall be saved.” (The primary meaning of the word translated “to” is “in,” so I believe it to be consistent to render the phrase “Those that remain in the end.”)

What He says about those who remain is critical. They will be saved.

The next verse addresses the “one reading” to understand. This is because it will be necessary because the one experiencing the events of verses 14 through 27 will not have been part of the Church. The Church will have been “saved.” 

The events described in verses 14 through 27 are the Great Tribulation, which is also called the Day of Wrath, and Jacob’s trouble, along with a number of such names. I wish to point out two important details. The events described have to do with the temple, Judaea, and all flesh suffering tribulation. This tribulation will be the worst the world will ever see. The New Testament is clear that the Church will be delivered from the wrath to come. Thessalonians and Revelation specifically attach deliverance from wrath to the events of the Tribulation. 

Another mark of the Tribulation is false christs. Both before the Tribulation and during the Tribulation, Jesus says there will be many false christs. Look at the differences between Mark 13:5 and Mark 13:22. The difference is that during the Tribulation, the false christs will show signs and wonders to increase deception.

Many translators and commentators have interpreted Mark 13:14-27 as speaking of the suffering of the Jews at the hands of the Romans. However, several issues make this untenable. 

First, the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel would most resemble the statue of Zeus installed in the temple by Antiochus Epiphanes. The name Antiochus gave himself, “Epiphanes,” means “God manifest.” So, just like the prophesied antichrist, he called himself “God.” This is why I pointed out that prophecies often have “foreshadowing” fulfillments. Jesus was talking about events still future, but Antiochus died more than one hundred years before Jesus was born. So, those interpreting Jesus as speaking of Jewish suffering under Rome say the abomination is Rome itself, or the symbols on their flags, or the Roman gods. But the Scripture is clear that the abomination of desolation will be an image set up in the temple. 

The abomination of desolation is one issue that tells us that this time of trouble is yet in the future. Another is the statement in verse 20 that if the Lord hadn’t shortened those days, “no flesh” would be saved. Although important in God’s plan, the Jewish nation cannot be said to be “all flesh.”

The last issue I will point out is that the suffering is said to be the greatest the world will ever see. Simply put, I think the suffering of the Jews at the hands of Hitler’s Germany was as bad as the Jews suffered in 70 and 132 A.D. And the suffering of the Cambodians under Pol Pot was probably as great as well. We have not yet seen the greatest suffering the world will ever see.

The Great Tribulation is called the day of God’s wrath for good reason. It will be more horrible than anything the world has ever seen. That has not happened yet.

After describing the Tribulation, Mark 13:24 says that the sun and the moon will be darkened after the tribulation. Then verses 26 and 27 say:

Mark 13:26–27 (NKJV) ²⁶Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. ²⁷And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.

Some have interpreted this as the same event as described in 1 Thessalonians 4 that we call the rapture. However, a significant difference is that there is no mention of angels being sent out in Thessalonians. Instead, 1 Thessalonians speaks specifically of those who believe in Jesus, both dead and alive, meeting Him in the air.

When Jesus speaks of the angels gathering His elect from the farthest part of the earth, He is speaking of Tribulation saints and the end of the Tribulation. At that time, He will return with power and great glory to destroy His enemies and establish His kingdom.

This is the outline of the age to come as presented to the disciples. The Church age and then the Tribulation were to come. Then after giving this outline, Jesus tells the disciples what the sign will be. 

They are to watch the fig tree. Jesus said:

Mark 13:28–29 (NKJV) ²⁸“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. ²⁹So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the doors!

In Scripture, the fig tree is used to signify Israel (not always or exclusively). And this is how Jesus is using the fig tree in this parable. 

In Daniel 9:24, the Scriptures say:

Daniel 9:24 (NKJV) “Seventy weeks are determined

For your people and for your holy city,

To finish the transgression,

 To make an end of sins,

 To make reconciliation for iniquity,

 To bring in everlasting righteousness,

To seal up vision and prophecy,

 And to anoint the Most Holy.

In this passage, the seventy weeks are determined for Daniel’s people and the holy city. Daniel’s people were the Jews, and the holy city is Jerusalem. The events prophesied were specifically prophesied concerning the Jews and Jerusalem. Now, look at what these weeks are supposed to accomplish. These weeks are determined to make an end to sin and to bring in everlasting righteousness. Some say these weeks have already been completed, and Israel’s part in these prophecies has been fulfilled. However, this is not consistent with the rest of Scripture, and sin has not yet ended, nor do we see everlasting righteousness on earth. The Church is not going to usher in the kingdom age. Jesus is going to return in power and great glory and establish His kingdom on earth.

In the meantime, we are to watch. Jesus closed His explanation of the sign of the end of the age with a parable. The parable is about a king who went away with the promise of returning. Listen to how Jesus ended His parable.

Mark 13:35–37 (NKJV) ³⁵Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—³⁶lest, coming suddenly, he finds you sleeping. ³⁷And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”

Look again at that last verse. “And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” 

Jesus tells us all to watch. 

The danger He warns against is sleeping.  Much of the Church is sleeping. Thinking that things will continue as they always have and the error of amillennialism have lulled us to sleep. I fear that I am not as zealous or awake as I should be, as I want to be.

There are seven letters to churches in the book of Revelation. Those churches can represent the stages the Church has gone through. Throughout the Church age, the people of God have moved through these stages. The last letter is written to the Church in Laodicea: the lukewarm church, neither hot nor cold.

Somehow we must wake up. Look at the fig tree. It is budding. This is the season of which Jesus spoke.

Are we going about the Master’s business? Are we watching?

Where Your Heart Is . . .

Mark 12:38 and following (Also Luke 21:1 and following.)

Mark 11:27 says as Jesus was walking in the temple, the Chief Priests, the Scribes, and the Elders came to Him and began to question Him. 

These were the nation’s leaders and had the authority to take away people’s rights to enter the temple. Because of this authority, people feared these leaders. In John 9:22, we see people that were afraid to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah because the leaders had determined to expel anyone who dared to say Jesus was the Messiah. However, Jesus was not intimidated. Mark chapter 12 gives the account of the confrontation between these leaders and Jesus. Although they were the most clever men in Israel, they could not overcome Jesus through argument or trickery. So, while keeping an eye on Him, they did not try to ask Jesus any more questions.

This brings us to Mark 12:41, where Jesus sits down opposite the treasury. At the beginning of the confrontation, Jesus was walking in the temple. Now, this verse tells us that Jesus was sitting. His location was intentional. Jesus had been in the temple often, yet we are not told that He seated Himself here before this.

Through the writings of Rabbis, history tells us the treasury was made of thirteen brass chests. Each one had a mouth shaped like a trumpet to catch money. They were located in the “Court of the Women,” which was also called the outer court. Each “trumpet” was inscribed with what it was for. Nine chests were for the required temple offerings and sacrifices, that is, money donated in place of other sacrifices. Four strongboxes were for freewill offerings, which were used for wood, incense, temple decoration, and burnt offerings.1

Jesus sat watching the people putting money into the offering boxes.

Let’s think about what Jesus was doing.

On the first day of the week, He rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey’s colt. By this action, Jesus declared to all present that He was the expected Messiah, and the common people received Him as the Messiah. They sang praises to God for David’s kingdom, which they thought was soon to be restored. 

However, Jesus had a kingdom in mind that people could not see. Jesus did not head to the seat of government. He did not confront the Roman governor, and he did not claim the throne. Instead, He went to the temple.

The next day He chased all those who were buying and selling out of the temple.

By focusing on the temple, Jesus was pointing to the spiritual kingdom of God. His heart and mission were fixed on the invisible kingdom of God.

When the children of Israel were slaves in Egypt, God sent Moses to deliver them. Then through the period of the judges, God was their king. So, when Israel asked for a king, God told Samuel that they were not rejecting Samuel. Instead, they were rejecting God from ruling over them. Jesus’ generation was doing the same.

The temple was the symbol of God’s presence in Israel. At the time of Moses, during their wilderness travels, the children of Israel saw the cloud by day and fire by night. The cloud and the fire were the visible presence of God. When the temple was built, it replaced the tabernacle. The temple became the reminder of God’s presence in the nation.

However, just like their forefathers, the Jews of Jesus’ day did not want God to rule over them. Their hearts were fixed on the things of this world. They wanted prosperity and freedom and believed they would first have to be delivered from the Romans. They wanted a Messiah who would deliver them from the Romans, and bring prosperity and freedom.

Jesus was the Messiah they were looking for, but it was not time to restore the kingdom to Israel. In Acts 1:6-7, Jesus implies that the time for that is yet to come. However, at this time, when Jesus was in the temple, Jesus had no intention of taking a secular or governmental throne. Instead, He took authority over the temple. Mark 11:16 says, “He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple.” How one man could stop a whole marketplace is a question I cannot answer. But Jesus did it. He took control of the temple so that the leaders asked Him by what authority He was acting.

 Jesus’ purpose and mission were to establish the kingdom of God in people’s hearts and minds. The Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes that Jesus was talking to in the temple had been entrusted with nurturing this kingdom of God. Still, they had instead used their positions for personal gain. In His confrontations with these leaders, Jesus exposed the truth behind their pious behavior; they were hypocrites and fakes. 

Now, He sat watching people give their offerings. And then He called His disciples over to share His observations. 

Now is an excellent place to share an important point. This was Jesus’ last full day of public teaching before going to the cross. Every action He took was meant to communicate crucial truth. He was not sitting because He was tired, but because He wanted to teach something. He had often been in the temple, and He chose this day to cover this subject.

Mark 12:41 says:

Mark 12:41 (NKJV) Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much.

At this point, I want to pay close attention to two words in what we just read. The term “saw” is also translated as “watched,” and carried the meaning of observing or analyzing. The root of the word implies the idea of discerning the meaning of what is being watched. This word “watched” is paired with the word “how.” The definition of this word is “in what manner.” In other words, Jesus was watching to discern in what manner the people were putting in their offerings.

Early in His ministry, Jesus taught about giving. He said:

Matthew 6:1–4 (NKJV) ¹Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. ²Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ³But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

“The Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you.” Jesus taught that giving was done for God and not for people. He also warned against giving for appearance or show. In Mark 12, the text does not say that the rich were giving dramatically or giving for performance. However, in Jesus watching and discerning in what manner the giving is done is implicit the idea that He knows what is in the heart. For example, how did He know that the two mites the widow put in were all that she had?

Mark 11:41 reminds us that God is interested in our giving and watches it.  But He does not observe the offering box to see how much is put in. He sees and knows how much, but He is more interested in the heart doing the giving. 

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 teaches us some principles for giving.

2 Corinthians 9:6–7 (NKJV) ⁶But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

From this, we gather that giving should be planned or purposed. It should be abundant, and it should be done cheerfully.

However, Jesus defines “abundantly” for us with the example of the widow. Although her gift was very small, Jesus said she had put in more than all those giving to the treasury. Mark takes the trouble to explain the value of the coins she put in. She put in two mites, which make a quadrans. Putting this in today’s money is tricky because of inflation and the differences in our economies. However, I will do my best. My numbers are taken from the pulpit commentary, but the commentaries do not all agree on amounts. The quadrans spoken of here was one-fourth of a Roman “as.” An “as” was one-tenth of a denarius. A denarius is often considered the equivalent of one day’s labor. So, if we arbitrarily say that a day of work would bring $100, then the two mites the widow gave would be worth about $2.50. This is not enough to buy a gallon of milk, but Jesus said she put in more than everybody else.

In his account, Luke tells us that Jesus said, “For all these out of their abundance have put in offerings.” (Luke 21:4)

We value things according to our measures. In the thinking of all that were there, the rich were obviously giving much more — larger coins in larger amounts. We have a tendency to judge in the same way. This is why James says:

James 2:1–4 (NKJV) ¹My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. ²For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, ³and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” ⁴have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

The ending of James’ statement is ominous — “with evil thoughts.” We focus on this world and all it contains, but God knows our hearts.

Jesus spent a lot of time trying to help His disciples and the people of His day see where their values were. At one point, He said:

Matthew 6:19–21 (NKJV) ¹⁹“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; ²⁰but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

This statement is at the core of what Jesus was teaching:

Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

When he and His disciples left the temple, one of the disciples mentioned the temple’s magnificence. It indeed was a magnificent building. But Jesus warned that it would soon be destroyed.

Out of all the people in the temple that day, one poor widow got it right. While everyone around her was worried about kingdoms, authority, position, possessions, and power, she humbly gave everything she had to God. 

This is what it means to love the Lord our God with all our hearts. Our fixation on the things of this world and its kingdoms is described as evil thoughts by James. Are we willing to trust God with our whole livelihood?

 1. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/mark/12-41.htm. Accessed March 5, 2021.

The Wicked Vinedressers

 

Mark 12:1-40

What is a “vinedresser?”

Vinedressers are farmers who take care of grapevines. Their job requires constant, daily attention to the vines. They must ensure that the grape plants receive enough water and are protected from pests, and do not develop disease. In Mark 12, Jesus speaks of vinedressers, and the profession continues to be practiced to this present day. Without careful, attentive vinedressers, the world would not enjoy a supply of grapes, grape juice, and, of course, wine.

One critical task of the vinedresser is pruning. Pruning is where the name “vinedresser” comes from. As the vinedresser cuts away dead or unnecessary branches, and excess, diseased or stunted fruit, he or she makes room for new growth and a healthier, more abundant harvest.

In Mark 12:1-12, Jesus tells a story about a man who planted a vineyard. The man put a lot of time and money into making the vineyard just right. He built a wall, a wine press, a lookout tower and then leased the vineyard to some tenant farmers. 

Lease agreements for farmland and fields are common even today. I am not knowledgeable about various lease arrangements. Still, I know that one type of lease agreement is for the landowner to receive a percentage of the harvest. This is an oversimplification of leases. There are divisions of expenses, production costs, and many other details to be considered.

In Jesus’ story, the vinedressers are wicked and chase away, beat, and even kill those sent to collect the owner’s share. This owner sent many servants, and they were all treated the same way. Finally, the owner sent his son, and they killed him too. 

Jesus was telling this story in the temple to the religious leaders who had just asked Him by what authority He had cleansed the temple. These leaders were tenants who were entrusted with tending God’s vineyard, the nation of Israel. The nation was God’s chosen people. Through the nation of Israel, God prepared for and sent His Son, the Savior of the world.

In our day, the Church is made up of God’s chosen people. As Jesus approached the final week of His tenure on earth, He was rejected and persecuted by the tenants whom God had chosen to care for His people, His vine. In our day, as we approach the final week, the seven-year tribulation promised in the book of Daniel, we also see rejection and opposition to the truth.

As we look at Mark chapter 12, we will see three types of error that tend to mislead the people of God. This is not a complete list of possibilities, but it is a list of what Jesus confronted. We must trust the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to guide us and to guard us. 

First, let’s consider the three different groups of religious leaders present when Jesus was in the temple. These were: The Pharisees, The Sadducees, and The Scribes. 

In His story about the vinedressers, Jesus foretells His death. And the religious leaders understand that they are the wicked vinedressers of the story. Mark 12:12 tells us:

Mark 12:12 (NKJV) And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.

Although this passage says they went away, the next verse says they sent some people to trap Jesus in His words. In other words, they went out to plot their answering strategy. By telling this story, Jesus is once again giving them a chance to repent as He tries to help them see their error. He reminds them that their position of power and authority was not of their own making but was an assignment from God.

However, instead of listening to what He says, they are angered by it and seek to trick Jesus into saying something for which they could arrest Him.

In verses 13 through 40 of Mark chapter 12, the three different groups of leaders (The Pharisees, The Sadducees, and The Scribes) each send delegations to try to trick Jesus. In verses 12 through 17, the Pharisees try; in verses 18 through 27, the Sadducees take a shot at Him, and finally, in verses 28 through 34, the Scribes have their go at it.

As we consider the confrontation between these groups and Jesus, we need to understand what each group represented. 

First, the Pharisees were the religious conservatives of the day. They believed in the inspiration and authority of the Scriptures, the resurrection of the dead, the spiritual world (including the devil), the afterlife, heaven, and hell.

Second, the Sadducees were the religious liberals of the day. They were Hellenists. In other words, they were Jews who had adopted Greek culture, philosophy, and beliefs. They did not believe the Scriptures were literal. Instead, they interpreted the Scriptures allegorically. They did not believe in a seven-day creation, the devil, hell, or the resurrection. 

Third, the Scribes were experts in religious law. They were the lawyers of Mosaic law. They understood the commandments and principles of God’s word. Because of this understanding, they held places of honor among the nation.

These three groups, with all their teachings, beliefs, and practices, were the ones who Jesus represented as the wicked vinedressers. They had been entrusted with the safety and education of God’s people. Still, when God sent prophets such as John the Baptist, they would not listen but persecuted and opposed God’s messengers. Now they were challenging the Son of God and His right to the Kingdom.

The Pharisees were the first to bring their challenge. Naturally, when the Pharisees asked their question, they led with an unsolvable dilemma for the religious Jew. How could one devoted to the God of Israel give money to the evil Roman Empire? However, publicly teaching that one should not pay taxes would get one in trouble with the Roman government.

The text tells us:

Mark 12:14 (NKJV) When they had come, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? 

Consider carefully what these men are saying because they condemn themselves with their words. They say, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth.”

If they knew that He was true, why didn’t they listen to Him? Again, their words hold the truth. While they recognized that Jesus did not regard the person of men, they themselves did. At a different time, Jesus told them:

John 5:44 (NKJV) How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?

Their unbelief and was because they sought honor and recognition from men rather than God. They abused their position and did not properly care for the vine as vinedressers because they sought recognition from men rather than God. We should take warning and always seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness. This problem of seeking honor from men rather than God is in the Church today. Whenever we find ourselves doing this, we must repent and pray for God to deliver us from this terrible trap.

The Pharisees failed to trick Jesus as Jesus easily escaped. So, the Sadducees tried. We find their attempt in Mark 12:18-27.

The Sadducees claimed to be religious, but they believed according to the Greek way of thinking. They took the writings of Moses to be symbolic and allegorical and not literal. They taught that hell and the devil were stories for teaching and not real. Mark 12:18 tells us that they said there is no resurrection. 

Their kind is alive and well in the Church today. Some pastors and denominations do not believe the Bible to be the literal Word of God. They deny foundational truths of our faith, saying things like, “There are other ways to heaven than Jesus Christ.”

Jesus’ answer to the Sadducees should be a warning to us all. He says:

Mark 12:24 (NKJV) Jesus answered and said to them, “Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God?

The Sadducees were mistaken because they did not know the Scriptures or the power of God. The problem with their knowledge of Scripture was that their reading of Scripture was not united with faith. We must heed the warning of Hebrews 4.

Hebrews 4:1–2 (NKJV) ¹Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. ²For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.

The Bible can be tested. Historically it is accurate. Its prophecies have been and are being fulfilled. It has proven reliable in every way. When we come upon things that we find hard to understand, do we trust the philosophies of men, or do we trust the Word of God? The world takes offense at claims that Jesus is the ONLY way to God. So, do we change that truth to satisfy the world? That is what the Sadducees did, and it is what some do today.

Jesus summed up His words to the Sadducees by saying:

Mark 12:27 (NKJV) You are therefore greatly mistaken.

The Sadducees had no answer to this. Jesus exposed their foolishness in His response. (Although we have not recited the whole thing here, read His answer carefully.) Seeing that the Pharisees and Sadducees failed, one of the Scribes had his go.

Being the lawyer, the Scribe asked a question about the law. “Which commandment is the greatest?” (Mark 12:28) Surprisingly, after a brief interaction with the Scribe, Jesus said:

Mark 12:34 (NKJV) You are not far from the kingdom of God. 

The Scribe answered Jesus wisely. Jesus and the Scribe agreed on the interpretation of the Scriptures. However, Jesus did not say, “You got it! You will be saved.” “Not far from” also means “not.” The Scribe was not in the kingdom of God. He was close, but not quite. Just a note here: When I hunt, I find that if I miss by a little or miss by a lot, the result is the same.

Mark 12:34 says that after the Scribe, no one dared to question Jesus further. However, Jesus was not through with the Scribes. While they were close, they still missed the mark. Jesus points to two ways in which they erred.

The first error that kept the Scribes from recognizing Jesus as Messiah was their limited understanding of Scripture. Jesus asks a question. How is it that the Christ is both the Son of David and David’s Lord? The Scribes said the Christ was to be the Son of David, which is revealed in the Old Testament. However, they did not grasp the truth that David recognized the Christ as being his Lord.

Thinking they understood the Scripture, the Scribes made the mistake of not continuing to seek the Scriptures for answers. Two people stand out as having recognized Jesus as the Christ from the day He went into the temple as a baby. The Bible tells us that both Simeon and Anna were devout, devoted to fasting and prayer, and waiting for the revelation of the Christ. The difference was in their heart attitude. They practiced loving God with all their heart. The difference in the Scribes that caused their limited understanding of Scripture was their heart. This is what Jesus pointed out as the second error of the Scribes.

In Mark 12:38-40, Jesus tells the people to watch out for the Scribes. The problem was that they loved recognition. They wore long robes and enjoyed special recognition wherever they went. They did not recognize Christ because they did not love His appearing, but instead, they loved their appearance. They understood the law, so they were not far from the kingdom, but they did not obey the law, so they missed it.

We are all vinedressers in the field that God has entrusted to us. In the workplace, home and market, we interact with people every day. 

We can divide the world by three types of people. Some people live their lives primarily motivated by their reactions. The Pharisees represent these people. They seek justice, action and righteousness. Other people are ruled more by emotions. They seek harmony, peace and acceptance. The Sadducees represent this group. Still others are ruled by their intellect. They are governed by cognitive processes. These are the Scribes. 

Every person is unique, and such generalizations that I have just made might tempt us to put everyone in a box. However, apply it to yourself. Taken in a broad manner, which group would you say you are most like? Don’t weasel out of it and say you are not like any of them. Each of us at different times can be more like one or the other of these groups.

We can be like the Pharisees and be very religious, or we can be like the Sadducees and try to fit in with the world. We can be intellectual about life like the Scribes. The problem is not in your tribe. There were Pharisees who were great men of faith. The Apostle Paul was a Pharisee. No matter which group we might be in, the question each of us must answer is, “Am I building my own kingdom or am I building God’s kingdom? Whose vineyard is my life? We must never forget that we are but tenants. God created us, gave us life and has leased His vineyard to us. When we meet Him, He will ask us for His share of the harvest. Will we be prepared? We are also nearing the final week. Are we pruning away the bad, keeping the good, and being good vinedressers?