Have you not read this Scripture:‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

Mark 12:1-12 

Have you not read this Scripture:‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? Mark 12:10-11

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 12:1-12, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Picking up from where the text left off in chapter 11, Jesus continues speaking to the crowd, including the chief priests, scribes and Jewish elders (11:27).  According to this post from DesiringGod.com, Jesus speaks in parables to "to expose a person’s spiritual condition....Jesus teaches in parables to demonstrate the need for divine revelation to understand the mysteries of the kingdom and to reveal the spiritual condition of his listeners."  Jesus quotes from Old Testament - here Psalm 118:22 - fulfilling prophecy of how Israel would reject Jesus (The Cornerstone).  It is God alone who hardens and softens hearts.  
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: Without God's help, people will not hear and understand God's Word, nor His will.  Instead those who don't accept Jesus as Lord and Savior will continue in their spiritual deadness.  They will also continue to be slaves to sin - including greed, selfishness, envy - all sin demonstrated in the text.  Ultimately these people will be subject to God's wrath as described in v9.      
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): God promises those who follow His will blessings - see v9.  This includes salvation.  We also see Christ's death on the cross as "marvelous."  From an earthly perspective, Christs murder on the cross is not seen as good nor marvelous.  However, believers know that Jesus had to die on the cross as He died and nailed not only Himself, but all of humanity's sin on the cross, paving a way for us to have redemption and salvation.  We can certainly claim this! 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Thank You Father God Jesus!  I am not deserving of the work done on the cross - Your death - while of course undeserved and gruesome, is marvelous and it gives me life to the full now and for eternity.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving...my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

Consider carefully what you hear[.]...Therefore consider carefully how you listen.

Matthew 13, Mark 4, Luke 8, 13

Consider carefully what you hear[.]...Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Mark 4:24, Luke 8:18

Day 300 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as I move further into the New Testament - focusing on Jesus' use of parables which my commentary notes "[t]hese illustrations of a moral truth or principle are usually in the form of a simple comparison. As often as not, Jesus’ parables are comparisons with things either found in nature or known through human experience. Although Jesus says the parables will have the effect of concealing truth, he must have in mind those hearers whose hearts are closed to his teaching. Most of the lessons are fairly simple to understand and especially well-suited for the common man, to whom Jesus directs his teaching.  Many parables are recorded by the Gospel writers throughout Jesus’ ministry, but a particular series has been collected, principally by Matthew, which gives unique insight into Jesus’ use of these simple illustrations."

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

As Jesus uses these parables, He tells us (captured by both Mark and Luke) to be careful with how we receive His words.  Many parables of farming are used with the implication that farming requires effort, first to prepare the soil for seed, then to water and tend the soil, and to prevent weeds from choking out the harvest. DesiringGod.com has a great post that emphasizes these critical efforts.  We must cultivate a personal relationship with Jesus.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has given me faith and blessed me abundantly...beyond what I deserve.  I am grateful.  But my sin continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.