Giving Caesar His Due

Mark 12:13 - approximately Tuesday, 2-3 days before the cross.  Jerusalem is bustling with hundreds of thousands of people at this time.

Pharisees (came into being after the exile, a couple hundred years ago) = a religious sect/conservative politically and theologically, right wing nationalist, strict "LAW" (Law of Moses) Keepers"  They opposed Jesus for religious reasons - ie:  His view of LAW, His authoritative claims, His popularity with the people.

Herodians = supporters of Herod family - liberal, left wing, on one hand, Jewish, however in bed with Rome, were mostly a political faction.  They opposed Jesus for political reasons.  Fear that their good standing with Rome would be jeopardized by Jesus' teachings and Jesus' followers - Rome didn't tolerate rebellion - they feared Jesus might lead or cause one.

These two factions were at odds with one another, nevertheless, joined forces against Jesus!!  Both feared what Jesus might do.

NIV - "catch Him" = trap, ensnare, a hunting term

Mark 12:14-15 - "is it lawful?"  (according to Moses)
This = Poll Tax - annual tax on every adult male.  Amount = 1 denarius;  average day's wage for working man

It's a TRAP?  If Jesus answers "yes" = admitting to Caesar's right to rule and tax and loses favor with the people who don't think Caesar has that right.
If Jesus answers "no" = opens himself to a charge of rebelling against Rome and fueling an insurrection!!

In other words, Jesus = in trouble either way He answers!!!

Mark 12:15-16 - He knew they were not seeking truth, God's Will.  Example:  the coin:

            

Side 1 - has silhouette of Tiberius with abbreviated inscription "Tiberius Caesar son of the Divine Augustus
Side 2 - Tiberius on throne - Pontiff Maxim"  (which means Highest Priest)
The coin flaunts both his right to rule (politically) AND his right to religious rule.
To add salt to the would ... the tax and to be paid with This coin!!!  Not Jewish coinage.  (so you can understand the Jews' objection!!!)

But Note:
Someone among these had this coin on his person ...in the temple area!  Point = they may object but (practically) they had already submitted to it!

Jesus' Answer = Mark 12:17 - "render.."
People's response = "amazed" - Not because He had outsmarted them..... but because He gave a proper, practical answer ... He showed true wisdom!!!

Look further at His answer  (in a political context)
Rom. 13:1-7
1 Pet. 2:13-17

Simply put:  (1)  obey the authorities when you can!  (without violating God's law/will)
                   (2)  obey regardless of your personal preference/opinion

This does not mean absolute obedience, submission - example = Jesus & Apostles expect us to know that!!!
Acts 4:18-20   God is supreme.  Authorities are not!

This doesn't mean don't object, seek to correct ... means don't Rebel unnecessarily!!

Jesus - "go extra mile"  "turn other cheek"
Paul - "as much as it is possible .... live in peace"

Our model = Jesus - on one hand, made no active resistance to such things (paid poll tax, temple tax, etc)
However, He didn't blindly submit to these authorities.

But ... this is not all the answer  (ie:  render unto Caesar)
Other half of the answer = "render unto God that which is God's"
ie:  praise, honor, thanks, loyalty, obedience, service!!

This = the more important part of His answer!
This = the part the Pharisees and Herodians needed most!!

OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATIONS

(1)  giving proper due is expected of Christians - Rom. 13:7-8

(2)  You can give political due (respect) without being disloyal to God.
on one hand "cannot serve 2 masters"
However, can render respect to earthly authority.  (Jesus paid poll tax, temple tax, etc)

(3)  Obedience to authorities is a Kingdom Issue!  1 Pet. 2:13

(4)  Hypocrisy is living a lie (pretending to be what you're not).  trying to appear more righteous than you are.    Maintains an air of goodness, Godliness.

(5)  the remedy for hypocrisy is confession and repentance. 
            Confess ... admit to 'self and to God  (example:  AA step 1)
            Repent = turn around, walk the other way

(6)  But.... if you're not open to truth, you won't (generally) find it!
Pharisees and Herodians NOT moved by Jesus' answer!!  - the truth didn't affect them.

Therefore, (7)  those open to truth will (generally) recognize the wisdom of God!
                   common people = "Amazed!!"

John 8:31-32 - "set you free" But ... only if you respond to it!!!

Rubber Band Sunday

 "Thanks to God" is referenced more than 150 times in Scripture - (hundreds of places)
Add - "Praise Him for what He's done" = many hundreds of  times. 
Point: few subjects are more emphasized in Scripture!!

Question:  why so often referenced? 
3 reasons:

#1.  God deserves our thanks! - (giving Him His rightful due)

#2.  Giving Thanks benefits us!!  - doesn't benefit Him at all.  He is complete.  (Nothing we can say or do can add to Him.)
         A)  as individuals - every study shows being thankful leads to better attitude, outlook, relationships, response to difficulties ... having psychological + physical benefits.   Is true without exception.  Actually have a command to "give thanks"!

         B)  as a group - marriage, family, community, nation....
WHAT IF:  news outlets devoted 25% of screen time to good news?!"
Because, thanksgiving is both Beneficial and Contagious!

#3.  We tend to take our blessings for granted.  (why is repeated over and over in scripture)
Therefore we overlook them, get caught up in negative outlooks

So... what should we do?  (especially as Christians)
#1.  Count your blessings = be consciously aware and specifically thankful.
   (an occasional specific review would do us all good)

#2.  Be thankful  (Attitude)

#3.  Give thanks - (action!)  for every 1 reference to "be thankful" there are 50 references to "give thanks!!"
Short summary verse:  1 Thess. 5:18 - in all circumstances, not necessarily for all circumstances.

So, Rubber Band =
           (1)  reminder to give thanks for blessings
AND  (2)  reminder to BE a Blesser!! - actively, consciously
                       Phil. 2:3-5 - Jesus' attitude to be a blessing
                       Matt. 10:8
                       2 Cor. 1:3-4 - (context = comfort/ broader sense = He has blessed us SO we might bless others!

Definition:  "to Bless" in scripture...
        (1)  to pray God's favor upon (Jesus blesses children)
        (2)  to speak well of (praise) - "bless the Lord, O my soul"
        (3)  to cause to prosper

Now looking at these individually:

I.)  To Pray God's favor upon someone.
by  (A)  praying for them
by (B) praying for them IN THEIR PRESENCE!  - shows concern!!
(how often these opportunities are missed)

II)  To Speak well of someone - Greek word = in English - Eulogy
Question?  Does a eulogy benefit the deceased??
Then why not do it while they = alive and aware??

Can't brag on everyone you meet, but often an honest compliment is in order!

The Power of the spoken Word....
Prov. 12:18, 15:4, 16:24, 18:21
by contrast:  Matt. 12:36
hence ... Eph. 4:29

III)  Basic needs of all people
  to be loved  (which = they are lovable)
  to be valued (which - they are valuable)
  to be recognized as significant  (which = they Matter)

Anything that communicates the above = a Blessing
(anything that communicates the opposite of the above = Curse!!  

All that is necessary to Bless another is to....
(1)  Decide -  intentionality - more likely to hit what you aim at!

(2)  Look for Opportunity - consciously - on purpose!
(how often this is missed and later regretted)

(3)  Act = example:  a gathering = "gonna attempt to bless ____ people"
on one hand, is easier for some (their gift)
However, is the responsibility of all  Prov. 3:27, Heb. 10:23-24

All people desire blessing - even those who appear to reject it!!

One more thing.... Acts 20:35 = more than blessed to give ..
Point -- one of the best ways to Receive a blessing ... is to Give a blessing!!

So.... Rubber bands are to remind us (this week) to
          (1)  be aware of, give thanks for your blessings
 to...   (2)  be a blessing - make it a point to bless those around you!

Final verse:  John 1:16
     (1)  give thanks for your blessings
     (2)  pass the blessings on to others!!!

Jesus' Authority - Tuesday AM of Passion Week

 Mark 11:27-28 - Jesus' last trip to Jerusalem for Passover

What "things"?  (1)  cleansing the Gentile court
                        (2)  teaching the people (not a trained rabbi!) - in the temple courts of the Gentiles
                        (3)  challenging the established authorities!  OPENLY!!!

So..... "by what authority?  who gave You authority?"

Definition:  authority = delegated right to decide, give orders, take charge
= official permission to act - granted by Higher authority

In other words, they are saying "by what right do you do this?  who gave You control?  Put You in charge .... OVER us?!?!    (who do you think you are????)

Jesus answer - Mark 11:29-30 - ie "who gave John (John the Baptist) authority to preach, teach, baptize, criticize, and direct people?"
(incidentally ... these same men challenged John's authority also!! - John 1:19-26)

Their Response - Mark 11:31-32 - "can't say!" - bacause....??

So..... Mark 11:33 - (however, they did know)

Note difference between John and Jesus - John = great preacher, great following BUT "did no miracle" (John 10:41)

However, Jesus worked how many?  Miracles?  - no way to tell
Witness by how many people??? Scores

So.......... John 10:37-38 - even if don't believe me, believe the miracles

Contrast these leaders (a)  with common folk - example:  John 9:28-33 - believed Jesus was from God
                                  (b)  with some fellow leaders - example John 3:1-2

We might give these leaders benefit of doubt.....
But ... Jesus didn't!!  Mark 12:1-22 - He knew their hearts - that they knew and wouldn't admit it.
(Parable with allegorical elements) 

(1)  owner of the Vineyard = God/Father
(2)  the Vineyard = Israel, the nation
(3)  the tenants - Leadership of Israel
(4)  the servants of the owner - prophets
(5)  the Son - Jesus (Christ)
(6)  the "others" who received the Vineyard = Christians, Church

The meaning?  message? = pretty clear!!

Question:  Did the leaders understand this? - Mark 12:12

NOW they want not just to discredit Him.  They want to Kill Him - John 11:49-50, 53

So enraged, they want Lazarus eliminated also!!! - John 12:9-11 - He was a living testimony to Jesus' power and authority.

Now = extreme hostility!!!

Some lessons and applications for us:

1)  Refusing to answer a valid question does not excuse you from responsibility!
Example = leadership  "we don't know"?
Paul's comment on that?  Rom. 1:21 - didn't stay neutral, but became more and more calloused.

2)  don't let your education, social status, position, success, popularity, or pride get in the way of your common sense!!  Example =  leadership Not Recognizing Jesus!!   If He's God, He's God!!  Rom. 1:22

3)  If you determine not to believe ... nothing will convince you!  (against your will)
Example:  Abraham to the rich man (in hell) - Luke 16:27-31   Bowl judgments - Rev. 16:10-11
(don't wait 'til your heart is hard!!!)

4)  If you follow Christ, you will experience persecution (from a world that doesn't want His Moral Laws!)
Example:  Lazarus!! What did he do?  and yet they want to kill him!  2 Tim. 3:12 - promise that we will be persecuted for living Godly life in Christ Jesus.

5)  Jesus Is Lord!! ..... with ALL Authority!!
fully demonstrated in the Resurrection!! - Matt. 28:18

6)  Therefore ... you should accept Him, follow Him, Serve Him!!

Monday Before Crucifixion Friday

 Mark 11:12-26 - (long passage, all intertwined)

I.  The Fig Tree = 1 of 2 destructive miracles  (other = pigs in chapter 5)

? "not the season for figs"?? = was Jesus petulant?  ill-tempered?
Are many explanations BUT ... Don't Miss the Point!!

ie:  a claim of without fruit!!!    Promise without Product!!
Jews chosen to bring people to God, but were excluding them!

Therefore, this = an acted out parable!  other examples:  Ezekiel adn the dirt cities; Hosea - marry prostitute, separate, reconcile

All directed at Israel!!  the temple, their attitude, etc.  God's intent, purpose = DRAW MEN!!
Compare:  Luke 13:6-9

II.  The Cleansing = once?  twice?  John's account???

But (again) DON'T MISS THE POINT

Purpose of the Law, the Temple, chosen Israel = DRAW, NOT exclude!

Distinction here... (1)  welcome all men
                           (2)  Include all who repent and turn  (accept)!! 

Question:  Did Jesus sin here??  Poll taken shows large percentage of people believe He did.
But, this = (1) Righteous anger  (contrast our tendency)
                (2)  showing His authority over the temple

III.  Prayer Promises - Mark 11:22-24 ??

? taken literally  on one hand, "1st. sense is usually best sense".
However, in practice????  examples:  Paul's thorn  (2nd. Cor.)
                                                         Paul's friend (2 Tim. 4:19-20)

Mis-use = "the power ot obtain = in my ability to believe"  vs. "the power and the decision = in God's hands", not my ability to believe

IV.  Prayer Stipulations - Mark 11:25 ???
So,... if I don't forgive, I can't have answered prayer(s)???

What's CLEAR is.... (1)  Prayer matters  (Makes a Difference)
                                (2)  Faith matters  (Makes a Difference)
                                (3)  Forgiveness matters  (Makes an Difference)

OBSERVATIONS:

(1)  We are called to be fruitful
as a people group (Christianity)
as a denomination
as a church  
as an individual
example:  Parable of the Talents - (charge = didn't use, produce)

(2)  Your faith, religion on one hand must be personal
However, your faith, religion is NOT for you alone!!
You = part the the plan to "Connect People to God"

John 12:32 = double meaning = (1)  the cross   (2)  testimony (verbal and lifestyle)

(3)  Jesus is both Lion and Lamb
On one hand, gentle, mild, long-suffering, forgiving, sacrificial!
On the other hand, HeWill execute Judgment on sin(s)!!
ie:  Both corporately (Israel, USA?)
    and Individually  - we will be judged, not talking about salvation

(4)  Jesus is LORD
ie:  He has all authority!!  examples:  fig trees, temples, disease, death....
and Hi will (at the proper time) use that authority!!
(and, you want to be in good standing when He does!)

(5)  "Worldly Success" is not necessarily evidence of Divine Favor. - example:  the temple

Don't misinterpret your success as being a sign of pleasing God.