Get the appWordLive - Year OneSample
Prepare: How do you picture Jesus? Was he serious? Did he have a sense of humour? Was he gentle? Was he strong? Read this passage two or three times, thinking about a different aspect of Jesus’ personality each time.
A theological riddle
Is Jesus being playful here at the expense of the teachers of the Law? Certainly, the crowd loved it (v 37)! He presents them with a theological riddle from Psalm 110:1. If the Christ they are expecting is to be the son of David (v 35), how can David call his son ‘Lord’? It’s almost as though, once again, he throws down the challenge: ‘Tell me!’ (11:30).
In reality, however, this is not just a case of Jesus teasing the teachers. There are serious issues at stake, and not just about the identity of Jesus and the Christ. Jesus highlights these by warning the people about the teachers of the Law.
A warning
Can you picture the kind of people Jesus was criticising (vs 38–40)? It wasn’t just that they were proud; they were dishonest, taking more than their fair share from the estates of the widows they had promised to look after (v 40a).
Jesus’ warning wasn’t just for the people, it was for the teachers themselves (v 40b).
Respond: In criticising the teachers, Jesus was at the same time defending the poor and weak (see Luke 1:52,53). Do you need him to defend you against injustice? Pray about your concerns and ask for his help.
http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-11-21
A theological riddle
Is Jesus being playful here at the expense of the teachers of the Law? Certainly, the crowd loved it (v 37)! He presents them with a theological riddle from Psalm 110:1. If the Christ they are expecting is to be the son of David (v 35), how can David call his son ‘Lord’? It’s almost as though, once again, he throws down the challenge: ‘Tell me!’ (11:30).
In reality, however, this is not just a case of Jesus teasing the teachers. There are serious issues at stake, and not just about the identity of Jesus and the Christ. Jesus highlights these by warning the people about the teachers of the Law.
A warning
Can you picture the kind of people Jesus was criticising (vs 38–40)? It wasn’t just that they were proud; they were dishonest, taking more than their fair share from the estates of the widows they had promised to look after (v 40a).
Jesus’ warning wasn’t just for the people, it was for the teachers themselves (v 40b).
Respond: In criticising the teachers, Jesus was at the same time defending the poor and weak (see Luke 1:52,53). Do you need him to defend you against injustice? Pray about your concerns and ask for his help.
http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-11-21
Scripture
About this Plan
WordLive provides a daily slice of Bible reading and commentary that, over four years, covers most of the Bible. The commentary encourages the reader to engage with the Bible passage in order to deepen their relationship with God, through reflection and practical application. The WordLive website offers further multimedia content and group Bible study, while registration offers a daily email, journal and bookmarking, and community tools.
More
We would like to thank Scripture Union England & Wales for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: www.wordlive.org/youversion
