The Daily Messages of Holy Week:

Tuesday’s Tricky Questions.

Fourth Sunday in Lent

Sermon Notes:  March 6, 2005

Rev. Jim O’Neal, Senior Pastor

Sun Lakes United Methodist Church, 9248 E. Riggs Road, Sun Lakes, Arizona 85248

(480) 895-8766

 

Mark 11:27-33 NRSV

27Again they came to Jerusalem.  As he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to him 28and said, “By what authority are you doing these things?  Who gave you this authority to do them?”  29Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.  30Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?  Answer me.”  31They argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’  32But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”— they were afraid of the crowd, for all regarded John as truly a prophet.  33So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.”  And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

 

Mark 12:13-34 NRSV

13Then they sent to him some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him in what he said.  14And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth.  Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?  15Should we pay them, or should we not?”  But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why are you putting me to the test?  Bring me a denarius and let me see it.”  16And they brought one.  Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?”  They answered, “The emperor’s.”  17Jesus said to them, “Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”  And they were utterly amazed at him.

18Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question, saying, 19“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother.  20There were seven brothers; the first married and, when he died, left no children; 21and the second married the widow and died, leaving no children; and the third likewise; 22none of the seven left children.  Last of all the woman herself died.  23In the resurrection whose wife will she be?  For the seven had married her.”  24Jesus said to them, “Is not this the reason you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God?  25For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.  26And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the story about the bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?  27He is God not of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong.”

28One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?”  29Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel:  the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30you 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.’  31The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  There is no other commandment greater than these.”  32Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; 33and ‘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,’— this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”  After that no one dared to ask him any question.

 

A.  Introduction

    1.  Have you stopped beating your wife?

        a.  A clever attorney once asked a man, “Have you stopped beating your wife?”  The nervous fellow said, “Yes.”  The lawyer then inquired, “So for how many years did you physically beat her, before you stopped?”  The flustered man responded, ‘No, no.  I mean, NO!”  The attorney smiled and said, “So, you are admitting, here and now, that you are still beating up on your poor wife!”

        b.  Now days the opposing attorney would object to such a line of questioning as leading and argumentative.

    2.  Today’s Scripture:  Mark 11:27-33 & Mark 12:13-34

        a.  This was the kind of questions that Jesus faced on Tuesday of Holy Week.  On Tuesday, Jesus is back at the Temple Complex.  He had probably gone to one of the covered porches in the Court of the Gentiles.  There were two of these:  Solomon’s Porch and the Royal Porch.  Rabbis often went there to teach, discuss and debate.  To Jesus came a delegation of the chief Priests and experts in religious law.  They were angry with Jesus because on Monday He had chased the dishonest merchants out of the Court of the Gentiles, and disrupted their profitable business.  And Jesus’ actions on Sunday and Monday made it clear that He claimed to be the Messiah.  All this made the religious authorities furious and they wanted to get rid of Jesus.  They thought:  “How dare he as a private individual, on his own, forcibly empty out the Court of the Gentiles!  How dare he a mortal man from a backcountry place like Nazareth claim to be the Son of God!”  But mostly they were afraid of Jesus, because the people might listen to Him and demand changes.  They could lose power either because the people take it, or because the Romans would decide they could not handle things and would step in. 

        b.  So they planned to ask Jesus questions that would either make Him lose favor with the people or get Him into trouble with the ruling Romans.  On Tuesday of Holy Week the religious authorities tried to trap Jesus with tricky questions.

(1)

 

B.  By whose authority do you act?

    1.  Today’s Scripture:  Mark 11:27-33

        a.  The first tricky question was this:  “By what authority are you doing these things?” (Mark 11:28 NRSV)  If Jesus said he was acting on his own they might arrest him as a megalomaniac “nut” that needed to be stopped from doing any more damage.  If Jesus said he was acting on God’s authority, they might arrest him for blasphemy.  After all they would argue, “Why would God want one of His own courts disrupted?”

        b.  Jesus knows what they are up to and in essence says:  “I will answer your question, if first you answer mine:  Was John the Baptist’s work human or divine?”  If they said, “Human” they faced a riot.  John had been martyred and the people believed he was a prophet.  If they said, “Divine” Jesus would say, “Then why did you oppose him?”  Further John pointed to Jesus as the Messiah.  If they accepted John as inspired by the Almighty, then they would have to accept his pronouncement of Jesus as the Messiah!  And they would have to acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God.  So they weakly replied, “We do not know.” (Mark 11:33 NRSV)

    2.  Man in psychiatrist’s office

        a.  A man walked into a psychiatrist’s office.  He said, “Doc, if you can cure me of my delusions of grandeur, I will grant you eternal life!”  Most people saying this would be deluded.  There is only One who can give the gift of life eternal.

        b.  You either believe that Jesus is God Incarnate in the flesh, or you don’t.  If you believe He is God’s Son, then you trust the promise of Easter.  If you don’t believe that Jesus is God’s Son, then Holy Week only becomes the sad tale of a good man unfairly put to death.  His life and words may be uplifting, but a “good man” cannot save you from your sins.  Only the divine Son of God can take your sinfulness and then give you His righteousness, and thus admittance to the presence of God. 

 

C.  Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?

    1.  Today’s Scripture:  Mark 12:13-17

        a.  Jews in New Testament times did not like paying taxes.  However, they disliked it even more than we dislike it.  They were a conquered nation.  The Romans took their nation by force.  Then through taxes the Romans made the Jews pay for the Roman legions and to make the Emperor rich.  This is the context of the second tricky question.  First the Pharisees and the Herodians use flattery to try to disarm Jesus, and make Him feel obliged to answer.  But their question was a trap:  “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?  Should we pay or shouldn’t we?” (Mark 12:14-15 NIV)  If Jesus had said it was lawful to pay taxes (or tribute) to Rome, the people would become angry.  The people would view Jesus as a collaborator or a coward.  If Jesus said, “No,” the leaders could report Him to the Romans, and have Him arrested for subversion or as a revolutionary.

        b.  Jesus is smarter than they are.  He asks to see a denarius, a Roman coin.  The coin would have on it the image of the current Emperor, or Caesar as the Romans called him.  It was the Caesar’s coin.  It belonged to him.  And Jesus says:  “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” (Mark 12:17 NIV)  All ancient Kings when they came to power issued money with their image upon it.  And wherever the King’s money was used, it was a sign of where the King had power and sway over the people. 

 

(2)

    2.  Jay Leno on the IRS

        a.  Some years back, comedian and talk show host Jay Leno said this:  “President Clinton says he looks forward to the day a citizen can call the IRS and get the right answer to a question.  I look forward to the day I can call the IRS and get a voice that says, ‘Sorry, that number has been disconnected.’”

        b.  There are times we all feel that way about our taxes.  However, at times of more serious reflection we recognize the need for a government and the taxes that support said government.  And that in part is what Jesus is telling us.  First, the State is ordained by God.  Without governments, nations become filled with chaos.  Governments give us laws to live by that keep civil order and protect us.  Governments provide police, fire, and military protection.  They give us needed services.  And secondly, we all have responsibilities to our country.  If we willingly accept and receive the benefits, then we owe our nation something.  Christians for the most part ought to be good citizens.  However, there are limits.  Scholar E. A. Abbott, though using antiquated language, said it well:  “The coin had Caesar’s image upon it, and therefore belonged to Caesar.  Man has God’s image upon him.  God created man in his own image (Genesis 1:26-27) and therefore belongs to God.  The inevitable conclusion is that, if the state remains within its proper boundaries and makes its proper demands, the individual must give it his loyalty and his service; but in the last analysis both state and man belong to God, and therefore, should their claims conflict, loyalty to God comes first.”

 

D.  If a woman was married seven times, who is her husband in heaven?

    1.  Today’s Scripture:  Mark12:18-27

        a.  The Sadducees asked this question.  They were a small and aristocratic group, who did not believe in the oral law, but only in the Torah.  They, in particular, did not even believe in angels or eternal life, so this was an insincere question lifted up just to try to embarrass Jesus.  A brief background:  In Deuteronomy 25:5-10 Moses gives the law that the Sadducees lift up.  Right now I’m speaking to the men:  The basic idea was that if your brother died, without having any children, you would marry his widow.  The first boy born would be your brother’s heir and not your own.  This law did several things.  It helps to ensure that the family name continues, it keeps property in the family, it gives your brother’s widow a son to take care of her in old age, and in a culture where “unattached” women have few rights it gives women some protection. 

        b.  The Sadducees give an absurd example.  A woman who ends up being married to seven brothers!  They ask, “Who will be her husband in heaven?” (See Mark 12:23)  Jesus gives an answer that some folks don’t like.  He says that things are different in Heaven.  We become like angels and people don’t marry there.  However, don’t read more into this than what Jesus says.  Jesus clearly teaches that we have the possibility of being with the ones we love in Heaven.  Further, Jesus points out to the Sadducees that in the first five books of the Bible we have texts that clearly support the belief in Heaven.  He goes on to say that when God spoke to Moses from the burning bush in Exodus 3:6, the Almighty refers to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the present tense.  In other words they are there with God in Heaven!

    2.  Cain and Seth’s Wives

        a.  During a revival meeting, a young skeptic asked the preacher, “The Bible just tells us that the sons of Adam and Eve got married and had children.  So where did Cain and Seth get their wives?”  The parson replied, “Young man, I would like to give you some advice.  Don’t lose your salvation looking after some other man’s wife.”

        b.  Friends don’t lose your faith trying to figure out everything that you don’t know.  Focus on what you do understand and believe the promises of the Bible, such as life eternal!

 

(3)

E.  Which Commandment is the greatest?

    1.  Today’s Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

        a.  Finally, someone asks what I believe was a sincere question.  A scribe (or teacher of the law) comes to Jesus.  The scribes were experts in all the oral law and there was a lot of oral law!  (The “oral law” consisted of the many interpretations and explanations of the Bible or “written law” made by numerous rabbis throughout Jewish history.)  This expert in the religious law wonders “If you could reduce it all down, what is the most important law of all?” (See Mark 12:28)

        b.  Jesus gives the answer we have all heard before:  “The most important one, is this:  ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’  The second is this:  ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 11:29-31 NIV)  And the teacher of the law agreed with Jesus.  Being kind and loving is more important to God than burnt offerings, dietary laws, or any ritual. 

    2.  Peanuts:  Lucy on Prayer

        a.  In the Peanuts Comic Strip, Lucy once told Charlie Brown, “I got this prayer thing all figured out.  If I pray with my hands pointing up I get what I ask for.  If I pray with my hands pointing down, I get the opposite!” 

        b.  Lucy has a simplistic approach.  More important to God than how we fold our hands, is how we treat others.  Going to Church, giving your offering, and serving on a committee are all important.  However, the most important thing to God is that we love Him and our fellow human beings.  Respecting people, helping them, and showing kindness is to understand and obey all of God’s laws.

 

F.  Conclusion

    1.  Tricky Questions:  Jesus on Tuesday of Holy Week was asked four tricky questions.

        a.  By whose authority do you act?

        b.  Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?

        c.  If a woman was married seven times, who is her husband in heaven?

        d.  Which Commandment is the greatest?

    2.  Jesus’ answers: 

        a.  I am the Messiah the Son of God!

        b.  Christians should be good citizens, but our first priority is to serve God.

        c.  Stop worrying about the details of Heaven and trust that it will be a wonderful place with God and your loved ones.

        d.  Loving God and others is the greatest commandment.

(4)

 

Mark 11:27-33 NRSV

27Again they came to Jerusalem.  As he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to him 28and said, “By what authority are you doing these things?  Who gave you this authority to do them?”  29Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.  30Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?  Answer me.”  31They argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’  32But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”— they were afraid of the crowd, for all regarded John as truly a prophet.  33So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.”  And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

 

Mark 12:13-34 NRSV

13Then they sent to him some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him in what he said.  14And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth.  Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?  15Should we pay them, or should we not?”  But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why are you putting me to the test?  Bring me a denarius and let me see it.”  16And they brought one.  Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?”  They answered, “The emperor’s.”  17Jesus said to them, “Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”  And they were utterly amazed at him.

18Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question, saying, 19“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother.  20There were seven brothers; the first married and, when he died, left no children; 21and the second married the widow and died, leaving no children; and the third likewise; 22none of the seven left children.  Last of all the woman herself died.  23In the resurrection whose wife will she be?  For the seven had married her.”  24Jesus said to them, “Is not this the reason you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God?  25For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.  26And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the story about the bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?  27He is God not of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong.”

28One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?”  29Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel:  the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30you 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.’  31The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  There is no other commandment greater than these.”  32Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; 33and ‘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,’— this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”  After that no one dared to ask him any question.

 

The Daily Messages of Holy Week:

Tuesday’s Tricky Questions:

 

1.  By whose authority do you act?

 

2.  Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?

 

3.  If a woman was married seven times, who is her husband in heaven?

 

4.  Which Commandment is the greatest?

 

Jesus’ Answers:

 

1.  I am the Messiah the Son of God!

 

2.  Christians should be good citizens,

                                                        but our first priority is to serve God.

 

3.  Stop worrying about the details of Heaven and trust that it will be

                                                a wonderful place with God and your loved ones.

 

4.  Loving God and others is the greatest commandment.