Questions ...

Mark 12

January 22, 2013

QUESTIONS …

    As I was reading through this chapter the thing that caught my attention were the poignant questions flying back and forth.  This series of questions actually began at the end of chapter 11, but it sets up the questions that outline today’s chapter.

    As Jesus tells the parable of the tenants in response to the opposition he was facing (see Mark 11:27-33), He depicts the religious leaders as those who would kill the son of the Vineyard owner (certainly not a description that would endear them to Him).  He then asks the question: “What then will the owner of the vineyard do?”

    But this isn’t the only question that fills this chapter.  Other questions include:

            “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?

            “Why are you trying to trap me?”

            “At the resurrection, whose wife will she be?”

            “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

            “David himself calls him Lord.  How then can he be his son?”

    As I was reading through these forty-four verses, I began asking myself about all the questions and the ways they were used.  At times they were verbal traps – meant to ensnare Jesus and put him into a position where he would make himself vulnerable to the legal action of the authorities or at least to turn the masses of followers against Him.  Such were the questions of the religious leaders who allowed their desperate grasp for power, comfort, wealth and political ambition dictate their response to Jesus.

    At times the questions were posed in order to get the one receiving the inquiry to rethink their thoughts or intentions or actions.  In other words, the question is meant to wake them up before it’s too late.  Such were the questions that Jesus set before the religious powers who opposed the very One whom they claimed to be praying for every day.  Each question was meant to shake them to their core and open their eyes.

    Finally some questions were asked with a sincere desire to expand knowledge and open up true dialog.  That’s how I take the question of the teacher of the law who asked about Jesus view of the greatest commandment (verses 28-34).  I believe he was intrigued by Jesus as he heard him out-maneuver the traps laid before Him.  And Jesus saw that in him too, responding: “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”

    And that leads me to the question I can’t help but asking … What would Jesus ask me today?  What questions would He have for me?  What paths would He ask about?  What words would He choose to wake me up and open up my heart to His Word?  Without a doubt, the answer to the deepest questions life throws at us is this: Jesus.