Pray: "Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law."

1. 1

   What do you learn about God (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) from this chapter? His thoughts, ways, or actions toward us, as His creation? How can you respond to God in prayer and praise?

2. 2

   In verses 1-11, Jesus tells a parable about a man who planted a vineyard and rented it out to tenants to grow the produce. When harvest time came, how did the tenants treat the man's servants who came to collect some of the harvest? How did they treat the owner's son? What will the owner do? Jesus quoted Psalm 118:22-23. Take a moment and read these verses. Compare them to the way Jesus quotes them. What do you notice that is different? In verse 12, why did the Pharisees not arrest Jesus?

3. 3

   In verse 13, what did the Pharisees want to do to Jesus? We will see three ways they attempt to carry this out. The first is in verses 14-17. What tactic did the Pharisees and Herodians use in an attempt to trap Jesus? Why did Jesus say, "Render to Caesar what is Caesar's"? Ponder: Read Genesis 1:27, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Psalm 24:1, and Haggai 2:8. How do these verses shed light on what Jesus says, "…and to God the things that are God's?" If you are a believer, whose image do you bear and represent? How does this lead you to pray? Note: The Herodians were a political group that supported Roman rule over the Jews and therefore supported the tax. The Pharisees opposed Roman rule and instead looked forward to the Messiah, who would release them from Roman oppression. Obviously, these two groups didn't get along well, but my enemy is my friend if we have a common enemy; and so they united against Jesus.

4. 4

   The second attempt to trap Jesus with His words comes in verses 18-23. The Sadducees were "sad-you-see" because they did not believe in the resurrection of the body after death. What elaborate question did they ask Jesus? In verses 25-27, Jesus addresses two points. First, He addresses what marriage will be like in heaven. What does He say? Secondly, He addresses their belief that there is no resurrection. How does God describe Himself? Ponder: Many people in our world think that when people die they become angels; how does verse 25 refute this thought?

5. 5

   In verses 28-34, we see the third attempt to trap Jesus with His words. One scribe asked Jesus, "What is the greatest commandment?" Jesus answered with the two greatest commandments; what are they? Note: The Pharisees and scribes were typically focused on man's outward duties of the law. How did this one scribe's answer reflect that he understood more of God's heart than the typical Jewish leader of the time? How did this interaction impact the rest of the scribes and Pharisees?

6. 6

   In verses 35-40, Jesus challenges the authority of the scribes. He quotes Psalm 110:1 to describe the Messiah as both a descendant of David and his King. How would you summarize Jesus' complaint against the scribes?

7. 7

   In verses 41-44, Jesus draws the disciples' attention to people who are giving their offerings to the Lord. What struck Jesus about the widow's gift?

8. 8

   Ponder: While the scribes were out for their own glory, the widow displayed that she loved the Lord her God with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength. She rendered unto God what was His. Her gift to the Lord demonstrated her complete dependence on Him for everything! While the Lord may not place it upon your heart to give Him your last penny, how can your life demonstrate, as God's image bearer, that you are completely His? Is there an area of your life that is not surrendered to Him in dependence? How does this lead you to pray? Note to parents: When our children were little, every night as we tucked them in bed, we prayed that the Lord would capture their hearts young and strong. We prayed that He would help them to love Him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. What do you pray over your children?