March 9, 2021

The Scriptures and the Power of God

Deuteronomy 10 and Deuteronomy 11

Deuteronomy 10 opens with Moses recounting the Lord’s call to the top of a mountain where he rewrote the commandments on stone tablets. Moses destroyed the original tablets in a fit of fury when he discovered the Israelites worshipping a false god, the golden calf.  

Moses spent the next forty days and nights on the mountain, talking with the Lord. Moses concludes this section of his speech with an exhortation to Israel to get their hearts right before the Lord. 

Deuteronomy 11 begins with a commandment to love the Lord God and obey His commandments always. Moses reminds the people of all the ways the Lord has shown He is all-powerful and all the ways He has rescued the Israelites. He promises that the Lord will bless those who remain faithful but curse those who turn away from Him.

Mark 12:1-27

At this point in Mark’s gospel, Jesus’ authority is being scrutinized and challenged. The Pharisees, seeking more ammunition in their case against Jesus, ask questions about taxes to trap him. 

Jesus answers their trick question with a nuanced answer. Without commenting on the justice or injustice of the government, he implies that it is still right to pay taxes. Yet, the kingdom of God should transcend all other kingdoms in the hearts of his followers. 

Next, the Sadducees, challenge Jesus with what they think is a tension between the Mosiac law (Deuteronomy 25:5-6) and belief in the resurrection. Jesus dismisses their hypothetical situation because they are missing the point of Scripture: the love and power of God.

Make it Personal
  • Do you spend more time learning about God or spending time with God? Have you ever found yourself more consumed with knowledge than a relationship with God?
  • Can you recall a time when you were rebellious or walked away from the Lord? How did you return to walking with God?  

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