Study 32
Rejected by men. Chosen by God
Read Mark 11v27-12v12
Throughout Mark's gospel we have seen how Jesus speaks with authority over sin, sickness, Satan, and (in the temple) sinners. This authority could only come from God. But in verse 18 we see how much the religious leaders opposed Him. They had blinded themselves to the truth, and were now trying to trap Him by demanding that He (the king of kings) should answer all their questions (verse 28). This time, 'Where did he get his authority from?'
John’s testimony
Before Jesus answers their question He asks them if John the Baptist was called by God. John had clearly believed that Jesus was the 'Lamb of God' who would 'take away the sins of the world'. He had even stated, 'I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God' (John 1: 29,34).
The religious leaders answered that they "didn't know"; in fact the real truth was that they refused to believe. They were the only people who
were unable to see that he was indeed a prophet (verse 32). Jesus replies that if they cannot believe what God has shown them there is little point in answering their questions.
History of Israel
The parable that follows in Chapter 12 is a history of Israel in the Old Testament (the vineyard). It pictures how God (the man in verse 1)
chooses Israel as a people and cares for them. The religious leaders (the farmers) were placed there by God and the Old Testament prophets (the servants) are God's messengers sent by the Lord and yet treated badly by the people.
Verses 6 & 7 predict the events shortly to happen (later that very week) when God's beloved son would be killed. But God because of the death of His Son has no longer limited his kingdom to Israel as before. It is now open to all people, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3: 16).
The religious leaders had rejected Christ but He would become the cornerstone of God's kingdom, "Jesus Christ of Nazareth...He is the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone...There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved"
(Acts 4:10-12).
Time to think
- Why is Jesus so important?
- Why did the religious leaders reject Him?
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