July 25, 2025
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in 1 Samuel and Mark? Here’s today’s reading:
Mark 12 (NIV)
The Parable of the Tenants
1 Jesus then began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. 2 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard.….Continue Reading
We are to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. These are the first two commandments. All the laws take care of themselves when we follow these two commandments. The leaders of Israel failed in the right things for they had the people follow the law without heart. In other words, they were legalistic. They were also about show and how they looked in front of others. Their hearts were far from the Lord. As for ourselves we should be careful of our attitudes when we do things or what we think. Are we doing things for the right motive with a heart toward God or thinking about ourselves and what people think? God bless.
This chapter has Jesus facing the religious leaders in Israel. He first tells a parable that they can’t help picture themselves/the Jewish people in, how they got rid of all those whom God sent…and now the Son is with them and they are determined to get rid of Him. They even compromise themselves to align themselves with the Herodians to try to trip Him up. But at each thing they challenge Him with, He always bests them. And truly love for God and love for our neighbor as ourselves is the summation of the law. But He not only responds well to them, but confronts them with teaching as well, showing Himself as the Son of David still being the Lord, warning the people not to be like them in their public fanfare, and showing that giving is not about the amount, but about the heart. Valuable lessons for us to follow, an by doing so, not be like them.
Currently reading Philippians 4. We discussed this chapter at Wednesday night Bible study the other night along with some other verses pertaining to worrying.
Jesus is the cornerstone, and it is marvelous in our eyes. He is the Alpha and the Omega, our Rock, our Redeemer, our Savior, Prince of Peace, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Because of this, dark powers and principalities sought to destroy him and all who came before and after him. As in 1 Peter, our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Let us be aware of this force that lurks among us, and say as Jesus did when he was tempted, “Away from me Satan!” And “Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:9
Hope it was helpful Kaitlin. How could these religious leaders listen to this parable and not be cut right to the bone. All the prophets that were killed in the past by their peers and now the Son of God before them. Their position in society more important than killing Jesus.?? So obvious who he was. But Jesus did say. Your father is the devil. That sums it up. Never thought of it before till pastor Peter brought it up. Jesus did not give the poor widow her money back. Makes you think!
Mark 12
Love your God with ALL your HEART, SOUL, MIND and STRENGTH. Love your NEIGHBOR as YOURSELF. Let us keep Jesus and his greatest commandments at the forefront of our minds as we go about our day, every day.
This parable is like a perfect example of how God knows our heart. Imagine Jesus telling a story that you know is about you and especially one that has such horrible implications. The frustration they had over this realization just forced them into another situation that made them look bad again. You can not trip up Jesus, you can not trick him, or pull one over on Him. He saw their hearts like He sees ours; so regardless of what we say or look like our true motives are always obvious to Him.
Therefore if we truly love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and love our neighbor as ourselves our lives will be reflective of Jesus and keep us away from sin.
Mark 12
The Jewish leaders knew this parable was about them. They should have been convicted.
Mark 12