(Mark 12:1-44)
I. Jesus opposed extremism
- A. The parable of the wicked vinedressers (12:1-9)
- 1. The vinedressers represented the religious leaders who misused and abused their position
2. God’s servants (prophets) had been mistreated
3. God’s own Son would be killed
4. Those vinedressers would be destroyed, and the vineyard would be given to others
B. Jesus applies Scripture to Himself (12:10-11)
C. Just as Jesus opposed extremism, extremists opposed Jesus (12:12)
II. Testing questions from extremists
- A. Pharisees and Herodians asked about taxes (12:13-17)
B. Sadducees asked about marriage and the resurrection (12:18-27)
C. A scribe asked about the greatest of the commandments (12:28-34)
III. Jesus warns against extremism
- A. Extremists do not respect the Scriptures or the nature of God (12:35-37)
B. Extremists desire glory and praise for themselves, not for God (12:38-40)
C. Extremists will do anything for themselves, but not for God (12:41-44)
