The King Who Came to Serve

In one paragraph

This message was a study of Mark 12:18-44, part of an ongoing walk through Mark with a small group at First Baptist Jackson. The pastor worked through four connected scenes from Tuesday of passion week, showing in each one how the religious leaders misunderstood both the scriptures and the power of God, and how Jesus kept revealing more of who he really is and what his kingdom is actually about....

Read together

1. Romans 8:31-34 opening verse about God being for us, not sparing His own Son, and Christ pleading for us
2. Mark 8:34 Jesus telling disciples to give up their own way, take up their cross, and follow Him
3. Mark 12:18-44 the main passage studied, covering resurrection, greatest commandment, David's son, and the widow's offering
4. Deuteronomy 25 background law about a brother marrying his deceased brother's widow, referenced in the Sadducees' question
5. 1 Corinthians no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him
6. John 11:25 Jesus saying He is the resurrection and the life, that anyone who believes in Him will live even after dying
7. Hosea God desiring mercy and knowledge of Him rather than burnt offerings and sacrifices
8. Psalm 110 messianic quote, the Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand, cited by Jesus in his question about David's son

Talk about it

1. Jesus told the Sadducees that their mistake was not knowing the scriptures and not knowing the power of God. Where do you find that kind of ignorance showing up in your own life, and what has helped you grow past it?
2. The pastor pointed out that God says 'I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,' not 'I was.' What difference does it make to you personally that God is described as the God of the living rather than the dead?
3. Jesus said the most important commandment is to love God with heart, soul, mind, and strength, and then love your neighbor as yourself. The pastor used the flower illustration to talk about the heart behind an action versus just going through the motions. Where in your own life do you notice the difference between doing something out of duty versus doing it out of genuine love?
4. Jesus rebuked the religious leaders for doing everything for show and for their own honor, while also cheating widows. He said whoever wants to be first must be the servant of everyone else. What does that kind of servant posture actually look like in your daily relationships, and where do you find it hardest to live out?
5. The widow gave everything she had to live on, and Jesus noticed immediately. He was not looking at the amount but at the heart behind it. What does her example stir up in you when you think about how you give your time, money, or energy to God and to others?