Bible Pathways - October 18, 2005

October 18

Read Mark 12

In Today's Reading:

Wicked tenant farmers; paying taxes to Caesar; the resurrection; greatest commandment; widow's offering; signs of the end

Jesus was questioned by a scribe who asked: Which is the first (most important) Commandment of all? (Mark 12:28). Jesus answered him by quoting Deuteronomy 6:4-5. The first of all the Commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is One Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength (12:29-30). Jesus then quoted Leviticus 19:18, saying: The second is like (it), namely this, Thou shall love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other Commandment greater than these (Mark 12:31).

The Hebrew word Elohenu is translated in English as our God However, God chose to use the plural form, Elohim, meaning Gods, 2500 times in reference to Himself as the Self-Existent, One True God. This, then, is what the sacred proclamation to Israel literally says: Hear, O Israel; The Lord our Gods is One Lord. Furthermore, the Hebrew word for One used here is also a solemn declaration that the Lord is a plurality in unity. 'Echad is a word which expresses one in the collective sense. It signifies a compound unity — not an absolute unity. For example, God said: Man . . . and . . . wife . . . shall be one flesh (Genesis 2:24). Even with numerous children, they are still called one family. The one Tabernacle (Exodus 26: 6) included many individual parts. However, there is a Hebrew word for one in the sense of an absolute one; it is the word yacheed. This word is never used to express the Godhead, although it is used many times in Scripture.

This truth exposes the lack of understanding of all who refuse to recognize Jesus as the One True God, the Creator of all things. The Holy Spirit guided the Apostle Paul to write of Jesus: By Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth (Colossians 1:16). Those who reject Jesus as God and the Holy Spirit as the One who will guide you into all truth (John 16:13) are, in fact, rejecting the revelation God gave of Himself as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus left no doubt as to who He was when He declared: I and My Father are One (John 10:30; also 5:18; 12:45; 14:9-11,20).

Word Studies:

12:1 let it out = rented it; 12:17 Render = Pay, Give; 12:34 durst = dared, ventured; 12:42 mites were coins that had the least value.

Cross References:

For Mark 12:1: See Isaiah 5:1-7. Mark 12:10-11: See Psalm 118:22-23. Mark 12:19: See Deuteronomy 25:5. Mark 12:26: See Exodus 3:6,15. Mark 12:29: See Deuteronomy 6:4. Mark 12:30: See Deuteronomy 6:5. Mark 12:31: See Leviticus 19:18. Mark 12:32: See Deuteronomy 4:35,39; Isaiah 45:6,14; 46:9. Mark 12:33: See Deuteronomy 6:5; Hosea 6:6. Mark 12:36: See Psalm 110:1. Mark 13:14: See Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11. Mark 13:24: See Isaiah 13:10; Zephaniah 1:15. Mark 13:26: See Daniel 7:13-14. Mark 13:27: See Deuteronomy 30:4; Zechariah 2:6.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for The English International Shortwave Radio Broadcast sponsored by Clarice Andrews and Mrs. Rachel Prevosta family that loves Jesus and David & Toni Frankenburg; The Arabic Broadcast sponsored by Mary Hoffmeyer and an anonymous donor · Staff: Rita Guerra · Government Officials: Rep. Christopher Shays (CT) and Sen. Jim Talent (MO) · Country: South Africa (43 million) on the southern tip of the African continent · Major languages: Afrikaans and English · Religious freedom · 67% Protestant; 20% animism, magic, and ancestor worship; 10% Roman Catholic; 3% Asian religions · Prayer Suggestion: Pray for national leaders and their families (Ezra 6:10).

Memory Verse for the Week: Hebrews 3:13