Introduction
The defense attorney for a murder case was banking everything on the fact that a body hadn’t been found. In his closing statement, he tried a final trick to refute the strong evidence. “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I have a surprise for you all,” he began. “Within one minute, the person presumed dead in the case will walk into this courtroom.” He was satisfied with the surprised and eager attention of the jurors on the courtroom door. After a minute passed and nothing happened, the attorney admitted that he had made up the statement. However, he pointed out that if they had been convinced beyond a doubt that his client was guilty, they would not have looked at the door. The jury was confused as they left to deliberate. It was only a few minutes, though, before they returned and pronounced a guilty verdict. The lawyer questioned their judgment since they had all looked at the door. The jury foreman answered, “Oh, we did look. But your client never did!” In Mark 12:35-40 Jesus reveals that even though the scribes kept up a good appearance of being very religious, they were not truly godly and only did it all to impress people. Study the passage to learn more about the difference between true and false religion.
Observation
Pray
Stop and ask the Lord to help you understand and live His Word as you study it today.
Read Focus Verses
Read Mark 12:35-40 keeping in mind that they are the words of Jesus while He lived on earth.
Part 1
If you had to break this passage into two parts, which verses would you say were part 1?
Part 2
If you had to break this passage into two parts, which verses would you say were part 2?
Keyword - Jesus
Marking each time Jesus is named or referenced in this passage will make Him pop out as the main Character.
Jesus Christ
Jesus
Mark each time Jesus is named or referenced in Mark 12:35-40.
Where?
Where was Jesus teaching?
Question
What question does Jesus ask in verse 35?
Explanation
What explanation does Jesus give for His question in verse 36?
Second Question
What question does Jesus ask in verse 37?
Who?
Who liked listening to Jesus according to verse 37?
Context
If you look back at what has just happened in Mark 12:13-34 you'll gain a new perspective on what Jesus is saying.
What Happened?
What has been happening just before today's passage?
New Light
How does that shed new light on Jesus' question?
Who?
Who does Jesus warn people to be aware of in verse 38?
Description
How does Jesus describe the scribes?
Reward
What will be the reward of the hypocrisy of the scribes according to the end of verse 40?
Interpretation
The Son of David
Notice that the Gospel of Matthew opens with the title under question in the first part of today's discussion in Matthew 1:1.
The Promise
We understand why this is so important when we read God's promise to David in 2 Samuel 7:12-13.
David's Son
What did God promise to David in these verses?
What Does It Mean?
This article explains that the title, "Son of David," was a title of the Messiah - the Promised Savior.
Click To Visit WebsiteDavid's Lord
It seems simple enough that the Messiah would be a descendant of David and rule Israel, but Jesus quotes a passage from the Old Testament that speaks of another aspect of the Messiah's role in Psalm 110:1-4. (Keep in mind that David wrote these verses.)
Who?
Who is this passage referring to as "my Lord" who will sit at God the Father's right hand?
Background
Read John 1:1-3 and consider how the truth it teaches explains part of this seeming disagreement between Jesus Christ being David's descendant and David's Lord.
God
Who does John 1:1-3 show that Jesus is?
Who Is Jesus?
Now look a few verses later in John 1:14 and consider how it explains the second part.
Man
Who does John 1:14 show that Jesus is?
Two Parts
How does knowing that Jesus is eternally God and yet chose to become man to save us help explain how Jesus Christ is both David's Lord and his son?
The Scribes
The scribes were responsible for knowing, copying, and teaching the Old Testament Law. What would you expect Jesus to be able to say about people like that?
Instead
Instead, they taught their own rules which they said were as important as God's Laws. What else can you learn about them from what Jesus said?
When You Give…
Read what Jesus says in Matthew 6:1-4 and notice how it contrasts what the scribes did.
When You Pray…
Read what Jesus says in Matthew 6:5-15 and notice how it contrasts what the scribes did.
When You Fast…
Read what Jesus says in Matthew 6:16-18 and notice how it contrasts what the scribes did.
For Other People's Praise
Why do hypocrites do religious things according to Matthew 6?
For the Praise of God
Why should God's people actually do things that help them grow in their Christian life according to Jesus' instructions in Matthew 6?
Eternal vs. Temporal
Think about it for a minute. Why is it better to have the praise of God than praise from other people?
Evaluate
How does knowing that the scribes were hypocritically doing religious things to impress people help us understand how they were also doing evil things like hurting widows.
Widows
God talks a lot about caring for widows like in James 1:27.
God and Widows
We learn how God cares for widows in Jeremiah 49:11.
What Does God Think?
What does God think about widows?
Caring for Widows
How does God want His people to think about and treat widows?
Woe
Isaiah 10:1-2 tells us what God thinks of those who prey on widows.
God's Thoughts
What does God think about those who treat widows poorly or try to take advantage of them?
Summary
How would you summarize what was wrong with the scribes?
Once More
Read Mark 12:35-40 once more.
False Religion
What can you learn about false religion and how to recognize and avoid it from Jesus' words in this passage?
The Lord
What can you learn about true faith and the Lord Jesus from Jesus' words in this passage?
Application
Is He Yours?
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you following Him like He is?
False Religion
As you read about the false religion of the scribes and how they did religious things for the praise of men, did you see any of that kind of hypocrisy in your life? What specific actions do you need to take to stop living for the temporary praise of other people and instead live for the eternal praise of God?
Widows
Is there a widow in your life that you can bless this week?
Wrapup
Closing
We hope that this study plan has helped you understand more about the Lord Jesus and the difference between true and false religion and that it has challenged you to live for the eternal praise God gives instead of the temporary praise of people.
Feedback
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