Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Mark 12: Q & O with the Tracy & Bruno

Hi friends, I love the fact that Tracy and Bruno are taking their connection with the group to another level with their questions and observations.  It's awesome!

Here's their offering for Mark 12.  I've responded to some of their questions in blue below
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Parable of the Tenants - Mark 12:1-12

Comment made that “they were afraid of the crowd”(v.12) so what was happening that the crowd could threaten the appointed leaders?  As we've noted Jerusalem is a packed house during the time of the Passover and given the anti-occupation sentiment (and the "Messiahs" of recent past), the city is a powder keg.  The Jewish religious establishment is in an uneasy alliance with the Roman political leadership.  If a Jewish rebellion breaks out that needs to be quashed by Roman force then they lose face with the Roman leadership (as they were unable to help keep the peace) and they lose clout with the Jewish people (as they won't be able to fully support the rebellion).

Is this the same crowd who said, “Crucify him” several days later?  Not sure.  Maybe, but likely not.  The courtyard wherein Pilate would have asked about what to do with Jesus was a relatively small space and likely only accessible by the Jewish religious leadership.  The "Crucify him!" crowd was more than likely less than 100 people, the majority of whom would have been looking to get rid of Jesus for some time now.

Paying the Imperial tax to Caesar   Mark 12:13-17
The coin with Caesar’s face can be returned to Rome but what was God’s that needed to be returned? Check out my session notes on this section.

Warning Against the Teachers of the Law   Mark 12: 38–40
Who are teachers of the law today?  Great question.  Literally, I think it would be priests, pastors, perhaps also Deacons.  I think though that the concept could be justifiably broadened to include anyone that is given deference because their role in society is based upon healing, protecting, guiding, and/or helping.

What was their job and role in the community? Check out my session notes on this section.

Why pinpoint the teachers of the law vs. others?  I think it's because the basis of their power is their supposed understanding of God and the ways of God.  James 3:1 says, "My brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers, because we know that we teachers will be judged more strictly."  By using authority derived from association with God to undertake actions opposed to the heart of God is to take the Lord's name in vain.  There are plenty of people not teachers of the law who are equally arrogant.

Bruno and Tracy's Thoughts:
The wrong kind of knowledge can make people arrogant, judgmental and self-righteous.  Today we often hear that “knowledge is power” which doesn’t seem so different from Jesus’ time.  But much of that knowledge is likely not ‘true knowledge of the divine’.

Note that Jesus observed these men.  He didn’t just glance at them and then judge them.  So looks like the Scribe’s punishment is due to their arrogance and not humbleness to do the Will of God.

The Widow’s Offering  Mark 12:41 – 44
  1. Jesus watched what people put in the offering plate.
  2. Offering was money and not the  “things that belong to God” 
  3. Somehow by dress or appearance, Jesus knew who was “rich” and who wasn’t Check out my session notes on this section.
  4. Copper coins then are like pennies today?? – the smallest denomination at least in the USA
  5. If the money is Caesar’s and going to the Temple’s treasury then anyone giving offering is misguided?  Good question.  Roman money would have needed to be exchanged for Temple approved coinage, yet I think your question also leads to a deeper reflection on the offering.  Check out my session notes.

Tracy and Bruno’s Thoughts:
Copper coins used since 600BC.  Romans saw use of copper for coinage – easy to mold, reusable.  It’s the smallest denomination in the USA and England (per Copperalliance.org.uk).

Isn’t the widow doing what Bartimaeus did i.e. gave all he owned?  Kind of.  The significant difference is to whom (or to what) each of them are giving all that they owned.

Did Jesus “google” this woman and knew she was a widow, not remarried?  Not sure, perhaps because she was there giving the offering instead of a male in her family which would have been expected.  Did her clothing reveal her marital status (more on clothing later)?  Was two coins all she had?  Did Jesus surmise this because in his time an unmarried widow was penniless?

If people can tell who is rich and who isn’t by their appearance, does this matter?  Maybe? Dressing humbly but not with the intent to deceive will convey our more authentic selves as appearance does not impress God.  But on the flip side, going to the Temple or church could be entering sanctified space of Heaven on Earth.  In this case, wouldn’t attendees want to clothe themselves in their “Sunday’s best”?

Do we ask ourselves the question, what are we poor in and what can we offer that would make us feel like we gave all of ourselves?  How do we seek for an answer?  Prayer?  Other?

Crowds are faceless and unpredictable.  They will follow a leader only to condemn him if an event triggers rage or fear.  Think of Mussolini (Italy) in the 1940s, CeauČ™escu (Romania) in the 1980s and of course, Jesus in the 30s.  Jesus was “playing with fire” sandwiched between crowds that followed him for the wrong reasons (Jesus was not going to destroy the Roman empire) and the “establishment” (high priests, scribes, Roman authorities).  Really interesting connections!

Only money was being offered.  This put the Temple in the same place as Rome, i.e. a center of wordly power.  Yes, exactly! Jesus’ metamessage: the Temple becomes irrelevant re communicating with God.  In Mark 13 Jesus predicts the physical destruction of the Temple.

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