Read Mark 12
Highlights:
Jesus skillfully deals with the Herodians (Mark 12:13-17), Sadducees (12:18-27), and Pharisees (12:28-44). We are to watch and pray (13:33).
Jesus was questioned by a scribe, who asked: Which is the first (foremost) Commandment of all (Mark 12:28)? Jesus answered him by quoting Deuteronomy 6:4-5. The first of all the Commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is One Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength (Mark 12:29-30). Jesus then quoted from Leviticus 19:18, saying: And the second is like (it), namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other Commandment greater than these (Mark 12:31).
The Hebrew word Elohenu is translated in English as our God. However, God chose to use the plural form, Elohim, meaning Gods, 2500 times in reference to Himself as the Self-Existent, One True God. This, then, is what the sacred proclamation to Israel literally says: "Hear, O Israel; The Lord our "Gods" is One Lord." Furthermore, the Hebrew word for One used here is also a solemn declaration that the Lord is a plurality in unity.. One ('echad) is a word which expresses one in the collective sense. It signifies a compound unity — not an absolute unity. For example, God said: Man . . . and . . . wife . . . shall be one flesh (Gen. 2:24). Even with numerous children, they are still called one family. The one Tabernacle (Ex. 36:13) included many individual parts. And many soldiers became one troop (II Sam. 2:25). However, there is a Hebrew word for one in the sense of an absolute one. It is the word yacheed. This word is never used to express the Godhead, although it is used many other times in Scripture.
This Truth which is available for all to know leaves no excuse for all who refuse to recognize Jesus as the One True God, the Creator of all things: By Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible . . . all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist (Col. 1:16-17; John 1:1-3,14; Titus 2:13). Those who reject Jesus as God, and the Holy Spirit as the One who will guide you into all Truth (John 16:13) are, in fact, rejecting the revelation of God Himself as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus left no doubt as to who He is when He said: I and My Father are One (John 10:30; 5:18; 12:45; 14:9-11,20).
Thought for Today:
Thought for Today: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. . . . And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (John 1:1-3,14).
Cross References:
For Mark 12:1: See Is. 5:2. Mark 12:10-11: See Ps. 118:22-23. Mark 12:19: See Deut. 25:5. Mark 12:26: See Ex. 3:3-6. Mark 12:29: See Deut. 6:4. Mark 12:30: See Deut. 6:5. Mark 12:31: See Lev. 19:18. Mark 12:32: See Deut. 4:35. Mark 12:33: See Deut. 6:5; Hos. 6:6. Mark 12:36: See Ps. 110:1. Mark 13:14: See Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11. Mark 13:24: See Is. 13:10. Mark 13:26: See Dan. 7:13. Mark 13:27: See Deut. 30:4; Zech. 2:6.
Word Studies:
12:1 let it out rented it; 12:17 Render to Caesar give to Caesar; 12:34 durst dared; 12:42 two mites a farthing (a penny).
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in honor of Ambrose Printing Staff (Bible Pathway's printer) • Staff: Barbara Bivens • Government Official: Rep. Dennis Ross (FL) • Country: Burundi (6 million) in east-central Africa • Major languages: Kirundi and French • Losing religious freedom • 51% Roman Catholic; 12% animist; 11% Protestant; 1% Muslim • Prayer Suggestion: Ask for understanding as you read the Word of God (Ps. 119:73).
Memory Verse for the Week:
