The Cornerstone

Mark 12

In Mark 12, we continue to see the trappers trying to trap. The Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Harodians are continuing to question Jesus with their obscure and prideful questions; questioning things they never intended to believe. They were continuing to ask questions about the things for which they knew the answer in an effort to trip Him up. It’s a trap. Beware!

This happens even today on social media for those who follow Jesus. Obscure writings are being posted taunting believers and non-believers alike to dual or argue on-line. Obscure questions are being asked only to confuse young believers and to reinvent, reform, and deconstruct the church for which Jesus established and the faith of those who follow Him. Such questions, “what if” thoughts and pondering posts are demanding apologetic responses that only detract from the real issue and the real mission.

“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18–20 (ESV)

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23 (ESV)

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (ESV)

Today, like in the days of Jesus, there are so many tactics, strategies, and diversions trying to reinvent the way to God. So many “new revelations” and “revolutionists” trying to reinvent, reform, and deconstruct Christianity—all of which is distracting and detracting from the mission by which all believers are called. This is happening in the world and by those in the church by who are being lead astray by the cultural norms and biases of the day.

As a friend of mine recently said, “Christianity and the church isn’t yours to reinvent, reform or deconstruct; it God’s. The mission is Jesus Christ—His death, His burial, and His resurrection!” J. Mulholland

During His last week of public ministry, God’s Lamb, Jesus, was examined in various ways, and He passed every test, trial, and temptation, as He stayed focus on His mission—seek and save those who are lost. “Let those with an ear, let him hear.”

In His replies, Jesus revealed to these Pharisees, Sadducees, and Harodians who He was; yet they would not accept the truth. They tried to trip Him up, trap Him, turn Him from the mission, and detract Him from the truth. When that failed, they tortured Him. Jesus is God’s Son—100% God; 100% Man—sent by the Father as a sacrificial Lamb and the Stone rejected by the builders.

“He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 7 But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8 And they took him and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. 9 What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. 10 Have you not read this Scripture:

“ ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; 11 this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?” 12 And they were seeking to arrest him but feared the people, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them. So they left him and went away.” Mark 12:6–12 (ESV)

His enemies were so intent on destroying Jesus that they did not realize they were destroying only themselves.

All the political questions and hypothetical doctrinal questions we see today are like that day; they are chaff compared to the most important questions of all: Is Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior and do you love Him?

“And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. 33 And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.” Mark 12:28–34 (ESV)

Warren Wiersbe asks, “If you were to point out the spiritual people in this chapter, would you indicate the pious scribes or the poor widow?

This poor widow put in the Temple treasury “two mites,” worth hardly anything. Jesus commended her, pointing out that her gift was proportionately far greater than the gifts of the rich, for the mite is mighty.

Are you spending more time asking questions than trusting in the truth of His Word? Has your eyes been taken of His mission? Are you seeking answers to real questions or are you just detracting from God’s ultimate purpose?
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Today, start focused on Jesus, His Word and His mission. Seek His Word for answers not the wisdom of those claiming a new revelation or different theology. Scripture does not need rewritten, only lived out. Stay focused on the mission of Jesus Christ—love God; Love other and keep pointing people to Him using your hands, feet, and lips, for He is “the way, the truth, and the life.” Tell someone about Him today!

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