November 25-29

"And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. And they came and said to him, 'Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone's opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?' But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, 'Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.' And they brought one. And he said to them, 'Whose likeness and inscription is this?' They said to him, 'Caesar's.' Jesus said to them, 'Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.' And they marveled at him." – Mark 12:13–17 (ESV)

Questions for Jesus: Who is the Ultimate Authority?
A pastor tells a story about a boy who built a model sailboat and launched it on a lake. A gust of wind carried it away, and he couldn’t retrieve it. Later, he saw his boat in a store window and went inside to explain, “That’s my boat!” The owner replied, “If you want it, you’ll have to buy it.” The boy worked hard, bought the boat, and joyfully declared, “Now you’re mine twice—once because I made you and once because I bought you!” This story mirrors how God created and redeemed us. He is our ultimate authority by design and redemption.

The Pharisees and Herodians attempt to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus, recognizing their hypocrisy, responds, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17). The Greek word for “render” means to give back what is owed. While Caesar’s image was on the coin, God’s image is imprinted on humanity (Genesis 1:27).

Jesus reminds us to respect earthly authorities while prioritizing our allegiance to God. What part of your lifetime, talents, or treasures—needs to be surrendered to Him today?

Reflection Questions
1. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to acknowledge God’s authority?

2. How can you practically live out your allegiance to God this week?

Suggested Prayer
Lord, You are my Creator and Redeemer, and I owe my life to You. Help me honor earthly responsibilities while fully surrendering to Your ultimate authority. Teach me to give back to You what is already Yours. Amen.

"And Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection. And they asked him a question, saying, 'Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother." – Mark 12:18–19 (ESV)

What Happens When You Die?
As a young man, D. L. Moody was suddenly called upon to preach a funeral sermon. He hunted all through the Four Gospels trying to find one of Christ’s funeral sermons, but searched in vain. He found that Christ broke up every funeral He ever attended. Death could not exist where He was. When the dead heard His voice, they sprang to life. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). (Encyclopedia of Illustrations)

The Sadducees question Jesus about the resurrection with a hypothetical scenario. Jesus responds, “You are quite wrong,” and declares, “He is not God of the dead, but of the living” (Mark 12:27). The Greek word living signifies ongoing eternal life. Jesus emphasizes both God’s power and the truth of Scripture. Death is not a period but a comma in the believer’s story. Trust in God’s power over death gives peace for today and hope for eternity.

Reflection Questions
1. How does your belief in the resurrection influence your daily life and decisions?

2. What Scripture can you meditate on to strengthen your hope in eternal life?

Suggested Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise of resurrection life. Help me trust in Your power and live each day with hope and joy, knowing my eternity is secure in You. Amen.

"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?' Jesus answered, 'The most important is, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 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." The second is this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." There is no other commandment greater than these.' – Mark 12:28–31 (ESV)

What’s the Most Important Thing in Life?
Dr. Billy Graham often recounted the story of a professor who told him, “Billy, make the main thing the main thing.” Graham realized that in life and ministry, nothing is more important than loving God and sharing His love with others. This singular focus kept Graham grounded and effective in his purpose, reminding us that life’s greatest pursuit is simple yet profound: love.

Jesus answers the scribe’s question with the Shema, a foundational Jewish prayer: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5). He pairs it with, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). The Greek word for “love” reflects a selfless, unconditional commitment. Loving God means aligning every aspect of your life with His will. Loving others means putting their needs above your own.

Reflection Questions
1. What steps can you take to grow in your love for God this week?

2. How can you intentionally show Christ-like love to someone in your life?

Suggested Prayer
Lord, teach me to love You with my whole being and to reflect Your love to those around me. Help me keep the main thing the main thing as I follow You. Amen.

"And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, 'How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared, "The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet." David himself calls him Lord. So how is he his son?' And the great throng heard him gladly." – Mark 12:35–37 (ESV)

Is Jesus Really the Son of God?
C.S. Lewis, in Mere Christianity, argued that Jesus cannot be merely a great teacher. He must either be a lunatic, a liar, or Lord. Lewis explained, “You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon, or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God.” This powerful reasoning invites us to confront the truth of who Jesus is: not just a descendant of David, but the eternal Son of God.

Jesus points to Psalm 110, where David declares, “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.’” Here, “The Lord” (Yahweh) speaks to “my Lord” (Adonai), highlighting the Messiah’s divine authority. Jesus uses this passage to show that the Christ is not only David’s descendant but also his sovereign Lord, pointing to His dual nature as both fully God and fully man. Accepting Jesus as Lord demands a response. It’s not enough to acknowledge Him intellectually; we must bow before Him in submission and faith.

Reflection Questions
1. Do you live in a way that acknowledges Jesus as Lord over every aspect of your life?

2. How can you deepen your understanding of Jesus’ divine nature through Scripture and prayer?

Suggested Prayer
Lord Jesus, You are more than a great teacher or moral leader. You are the Son of God, worthy of my worship and obedience. Help me submit to Your authority and grow in my understanding of who You are. Amen.

"And in his teaching he said, 'Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.'" – Mark 12:38–40 (ESV)

Beware of Hypocrisy
Hypocrisy can be illustrated by the way we clean house when company is coming. We shove our junk in the closet, stuff it under the bed, etc. where it can’t be seen. Out of sight, it doesn’t exist at least to our guests. That is not a horrible way to clean the house, but it is a terrible way to deal with the spiritual junk in our lives. There is no value in hiding our junk from people if God sees it. He is the one we are to please. (Source: Paul Wallace)

Jesus warns the crowd against the scribes, who were more concerned with public recognition than true devotion. The phrase “for a pretense make long prayers” exposes their hypocrisy, as they used religious acts to manipulate and elevate themselves. The Greek word for “hypocrisy” refers to acting or pretending. Jesus’ condemnation shows that God values authenticity over performance. True faith is not about appearances but about a transformed heart. Seek humility and integrity in your relationship with God and others.

Reflection Questions
1. Are there any aspects of your faith that are more about performance than true devotion?

2. How can you cultivate a heart that reflects genuine love and humility before God?

Suggested Prayer
Lord, guard my heart against hypocrisy. Help me to live with integrity and authenticity, reflecting Your truth in all I do. May my faith be genuine, bringing honor to You alone. Amen.