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Jesus had a way of putting things that frequently silenced those who opposed Him. It was not that He was unfair or unkind; He just had an insight that you and I cannot have and He used such tactics with the greatest of wisdom. I can recall an event that happened to me several years ago after which I bragged that I put to silence some folks with whom I disagreed on certain religious matters. I think I was wrong to brag and I think I was wrong to have been putting the people to silence; a better objective would have been to open doors of discussion rather than closing them. Today’s message will consider one of these occasions with Jesus and some implications regarding that event.

At the close of a parable that was particularly stinging to some of His listeners, Jesus said, “Have you not even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD’S doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’?” (Mark 12.10-11). The Scripture to which Jesus referred was number 118 in the Hebrew song book. “Surely,” He seemed to be saying, “You don’t mean to tell Me that you haven’t even read all the songs in the book; after all there are only one hundred and fifty in all!” The outcome was totally predictable: “And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.” (Mark 12.12).

Jesus’ reliance upon Scripture was unprecedented. That was one reason why some who came to see Him went away saying, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” (John 7.46). Others who heard Him “…were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” (Matthew 7.28-29). Neither was He shy in applying what the Scriptures said about His own life and ministry. On one occasion while in the synagogue in Nazareth, He read from the book of Isaiah about the coming Messiah and said, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4.21). Just prior to His ascension, He spoke to some of His disciples in such a manner that it prompted Luke to write, “And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” (Luke 24.27).

So, the question that Jesus asked of His hearers in Mark 12 was particularly pointed! “Have you not even read this Scripture?” Imagine yourself on the receiving end of that question! What answer could one possibly give? Everything would seem totally slovenly and inadequate. Imagine saying, “Well I have been meaning to get around to reading the Psalms, but I just haven’t had the time.” Or, maybe a person might stammer out an excuse like, “Well you know the Bible is just so difficult to understand that I have a hard time keeping focused while I read it!” Before making such excuses, I think I would consider the fact that He knows every waking moment that I have and how frequently I waste time on far less important matters than reading His word. Further, I certainly would think twice before telling the Divine Author of the Book that I find it hard to read and disinteresting! Something about that just wouldn’t seem to go over too well!

As we come near to the close of another calendar year, it can be productive to look back and assess how we spent the past weeks and months. It is not too early to begin thinking about how we can make next year a better one for us, especially in the spiritual arena. Why not begin making preparations to read afresh (or perhaps for the first time) the entire Word of God? In less time than most of us spend on summer vacation, the entire Bible can be read! Have you not even read? If not, why not?

Questions:

1. Why did Jesus' hearers in Mark 12 go away without confronting Him?

2. Why do you think that Jesus' statements to them were so pointed? Did He just want to hurt them or might there have been other motives?

3. When some said that Jesus taught them as one having authority, what does that mean?

4. Given that the average person can read the entire Bible in less than 80 hours, what legitimate reason might a person offer for not having read it through at least a few times?

"Inspiration For You" from Randy Mitchell

Honoring A Father