Daily Devotional for August 25

 

August 25                                                        Mark 12:35-44

Today we find Jesus teaching in the Temple courts. We know
he is speaking to a large crowd, but we are not told who the
people are. Imagine yourself there in the crowd, listening to
the teacher. You are among first century Jews, taught from
your earliest days to expect a Messiah of Davidic descent, and
Jesus raises a question about your belief! He also challenges
the authority of those who taught you.

In questioning this teaching, Jesus does not say whether it is
right or wrong. He leaves no doubt, however, that the belief
of the most important people in church or society does not
necessarily make that belief true. Jesus simply examines the
teaching in question in the light of Scripture and opens it to
the power of God for resolution.

In seeking spiritual truth, we must learn to open our questions,
open our very selves, to the light of God's power, and then
wait for the answer, however long the wait may be. In this
case, the answer to Jesus's question did not come until after
his death and Resurrection when his own Davidic descent was
claimed and reconciled with Scripture. (See, for example, Mat-
thew 1:1-17, Luke 3:23-38, Romans 1:3, and 2 Timothy 2:8.)

Has one of your beliefs come under question recently? If so,
recall the circumstances and how you felt on that occasion.
Offer your questions to God now, along with all the feelings
your uncertainty stimulates. As you wait for God's answer,
let God bring life to your questions.

​

From The Road to Emmaus - An inclusive devotional Edited by Joseph W. Houle

Emmaus House of Prayer - Washington D.C.1989