This is the 3rd narrative sermon in the gospel of Mark. In it, Mark uses a repeated story pattern to develop the increasing tensions between Jesus and the religious leaders as they progress from criticizing him in their hearts to plotting his death, after he turns the tables on them. Mark describes a series of increasingly serious issues as Jesus acts in a controversial way in light of the religious patterns of His day, provoking questions that set Jesus up to make bold declarations about His person and purpose. In the end, it is not Jesus who has acted controversially, but these religious leaders, who have forsaken the very essence of God’s heart in the Torah they claim to love.
Enjoy!
