Sunday 17 November 2024
Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray." (v. 5)
Background
The books of the Bible were first written without chapters and verses. Adding chapter and verse markings to our Bibles can hide potential connections between texts. So maybe we slightly disconnect verses 1-2 from the previous two sections (Mark 12:38-40 'Jesus denounces the Scribes' and 12:41-44 'The Widow’s Offering').
We can see another possible way of interpreting the three sections if we reconnect them. Then Jesus criticises the scribes because they “devour widows’ houses”, followed by a lament that the widow is giving more than she could afford to the Temple fund (which was intended to support widows like her) and then Jesus saying the Temple would be torn down. The implication is that it will be torn down because the focus has been on the building (that has so impressed the disciples) and not on caring for people like the widow. That same order is followed in Luke 20:45- 21:6 but not in Matthew 23:1-24:2.
From verse 3, we see the disciples wondering if this Temple destruction would mark the end of the age (it was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD; Mark's Gospel was almost certainly written before this). Jesus seems more concerned that they should be on their guard against people trying to deceive them and warns them not to attempt predictions based on a variety of disasters. Remember that chapter 13 ends with Jesus telling them that even he does not know when the end will come (knowledge he gave up to become fully human).
As we look at our society and community today, it seems like there might be a lot of attempts to lead us astray, so this seems as relevant as ever.
To Ponder:
- What big, shiny, impressive things distract us (and the wider Church) from God’s mission to care for the vulnerable (such as the widow)?
- Do you think God might be tearing down things today (like the Temple in 70 AD) to get us to focus on what is important? What should we be doing about it?
Bible notes author: The Revd Dave Warnock
Dave is the Methodist minister in Wythenshawe, part of the Bramhall and Wythenshawe Circuit. From September 2025 he will be sailing around the world for five years encouraging connections between sustainability and faith. See Sustainable Sailing.