The Vineyard
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5
Mark 12:18-44
- The Sadducees tried to invent reasons why they shouldn’t believe in eternal life. Do you ever find yourself trying to come up with reasons not to believe in what Jesus offers, or that it is indeed offered to you?
- When the scribe asks Jesus for the greatest commandment, He responses by giving him two, to love God and love our neighbor. What does this tell us above the love of God and the love of neighbor?
- The widow’s sacrifice is deemed to be the greatest not because she gave a lot, but because she gave all she had. In other words everyone, no matter how poor or seemingly without talent, has something to offer. What gifts can you offer God? (and don’t think just in terms of money!)
Psalm 22
- “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” These words of the psalm are found on Jesus’ lips as he hangs on the cross. What does this tell you about Jesus identification with this psalm?
- In this psalm, we find both lament and praise. Moments of hope, and also moments of anxiety. What does the fact that both are present in one psalm tell you about the nature of life?
- How does this psalm interpret Jesus’ suffering? How does Jesus’ suffering interpret this psalm?
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