Mark 10-12

It took me just over 15 minutes to read this passage.  Three people came to mind as I read this;

The first was the teacher of the Law in 12:28-34.  Mark’s Gospel account does not show this encounter to be confrontational, but rather a pure exchange of faith.  Jesus commends this teacher as one who is very close to God’s Kingdom.  I wonder if this man was Nicodemas or Joseph or Arimathea?

The second was the poor widow in 12:41-44.  She had virtually no money on which to live.  But what she had she gave to the work of the Temple.  What happened next?  Did she sleep hungry that night?  Did a neighbor invite her to share their meager meal later the same day?  Did she starve to death the same day Jesus hung on the cross?  Did she meet and soon marry a widower who had sons, a house, and wealth?  All of these are possibilities of how she lived her life.  All we know about her is that she followed scripture as best that she could.

The third of Judas Iscariot; even though he is not mentioned anywhere by name.  We read of Peter’s thoughts and actions during this important week, but what about Judas.  Which of the events that Mark records pushed him further on the road to betrayal?  Salvation by grace which Jesus spoke about in 10:17-31?  Jesus’ life of service and humility and his call for his followers to live the same type of life? The praises of the Jerusalem crowd in 11:10?  Jesus’ teaching that repeatedly humbled the Jewish leaders in chapter 12?  It is amazing that after all of the events, and even more, that he witnessed Jesus do, Judas thought the best thing for him to do was to sell rabbi’s life for a sack of money.

Stuart