History class has a bad reputation. Perhaps if many teachers taught the subject a little more like Jesus, some of that reputation could be reversed. The history lesson that he gave to those gathered around Him certainly had people engaged, especially since it was an account of their own history. One thing that seems pretty certain was that, unlike the stereotypical high school class of today, the students got it—their reaction told it all. They found themselves at a crossroads where they were going to have to decide what they would do with the Messiah. Pastor Daniel explains this crucial moment in speaking of how Jesus was going to be either their “cornerstone or crushing stone” and how we face the same decision today. Through looking at “the parable and Israel’s past,” followed by “the parable and Israel’s present,” leading to “the parable and Israel’s future,” we learn about the reality that everyone finds themselves in: Jesus is Lord of all and should be the cornerstone of our lives.

Summary by Seth Kempf, Bethany Community Church Staff

The Sadducees were in a sorry state on a couple of different levels. Because they did not believe in the resurrection of the dead, they had no hope of anything to come. And because they trusted so much in their own tactics for bringing Jesus down, they ended up doubly humiliated—they couldn’t match Jesus’s reasoning abilities and were trying to topple Someone who would only come to His end through His own design. Though they denied the resurrection, they professed believe in one who held it to be true (Moses). Jesus exposed that very error, bringing them to the place of silence before Him. In looking at this text, Pastor Daniel poses the question, “Will my worship of my own intellect prevent me from knowing God?” He then charges the listener to “escape the trap of intellectual arrogance.”

Summary by Seth Kempf, Bethany Community Church Staff

(Part I) Here and there Jesus gave us real-life examples of how things work in God’s economy. He brought low the proud and exalted the humble, much to the dismay of those enjoying their places of honor on pedestals of false piety. A poor widow was more generous than the rich of society? An elaborate praying scribe keeping his place even though he would eagerly devour such a widow’s house? What kind of a leader does that?! “An abusive one,” is Pastor Daniel’s answer. Challenging believers to think carefully about those they look to for direction, he calls them to “follow those who are sacrificially following Christ.” Offering a number of characteristics of abusive leaders and explaining why such people are dangerous in more ways than one, we are encouraged to put our hope in the Lord and keep our eyes on those who want to lead us in the same.

Summary by Seth Kempf, Bethany Community Church Staff

(Part III) Through this passage, we are confronted with principles about both leadership and stewardship. In the first of three messages covering this text, pastor Daniel provided warning to the church concerning abusive spiritual authority figures. In these last two expositions, we are helped to think rightly about how to use the money that God has entrusted to us. If we are wealthy, should we become like the widow? Is the poor widow in the story the example everyone should follow in how they approach giving? Where should I be giving the money that I know I should be generous with? Such questions are looked at and helpful principles set forth to help us better understand what it means for Christians to be financially faithful.

Summary by Seth Kempf, Bethany Community Church Staff