Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Thank you for joining me today and following us throughout Project 23. If you would like to learn more about this project, click the link to discover more and partner with us.

Our text today is Mark 12:38-40:

And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” — Mark 12:38-40

Jesus has been teaching in the temple all day, and now he turns from answering questions to issuing a warning.

“Beware of the scribes.”

He calls them out on their own turf. And notice the exhortation. He does not say to “disagree with them” or “debate them.” He says "beware" as in, be on high alert.

Why? Because their spiritual influence looked holy on the outside. They wore the robes. Spoke the language. Took the places of honor. Prayed eloquent prayers. But it was all for show. Underneath the surface, Jesus exposes something far more dangerous: They devoured widows’ houses. They used their spiritual authority to manipulate, exploit, and take. Their power was not for people’s good, but for their own gain.

And Jesus doesn’t just call it out—he warns of a greater condemnation.

Spiritual leadership without spiritual integrity is deadly. And Jesus is clear. He’s not impressed with religious appearances. He sees the robes. The seats. The greetings. The prayers. But more importantly, he sees the motives.

Are you living for God’s approval or people’s applause?

This warning isn’t just for teachers and pastors, like myself, which is humbling to consider. It’s for anyone tempted to put on a spiritual performance. It’s for the man who prays in public but won’t lead at home. The woman who knows Scripture but won’t show grace. The leader who loves attention but won’t serve in obscurity. God is not looking for polished people. He’s looking for surrendered hearts. So beware of putting on a religious show. It may impress people, but it never fools God.

#BewareTheShow, #Mark12, #SpiritualIntegrity

ASK THIS:

1. Why does Jesus say “beware” instead of just “disagree”?
2. What does “devouring widows’ houses” tell you about the scribes?
3. Where are you tempted to perform spiritually?
4. How can you pursue deeper integrity in your walk with Christ?

DO THIS:

Ask someone who knows you well: “Do you ever see a gap between what I say spiritually and how I actually live?”

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, protect me from the temptation to perform spiritually. I don’t want appearance—I want authenticity. Shape my heart, not just my image. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Give Me Jesus”

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Thank you for joining me today and following us throughout Project 23. If you would like to learn more about this project, click the link to discover more and partner with us.

Our text today is Mark 12:35-37:

And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, “How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
until I put your enemies under your feet.”’

David himself calls him Lord. So how is he his son?” And the great throng heard him gladly. — Mark 12:35-37

After fielding a string of trick questions from religious leaders, Jesus turns the tables and asks a question of his own. At first glance, it sounds simple: “How can the Christ be David’s son, if David calls him Lord?”

But it’s a loaded question. Because in Jewish tradition, a father always held greater honor than a son. And yet, David, the greatest king in Israel’s history, refers to his own descendant as “Lord.” Jesus is forcing the spiritual elite to stop thinking in terms of physical hierarchy and start thinking in terms of divine authority.

He’s quoting Psalm 110, where David, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, prophesies about a coming Messiah who would sit at God’s right hand, a place of divine power. In short, Jesus is saying: “David wasn’t just writing about his family tree. He was writing about me.”

And if that’s true, and it is, then the Messiah is not merely a political figure or a human descendant. He is the Lord, David’s Lord, and our Lord.

It’s easy to develop a small view of Jesus. To admire him as a wise teacher. To respect him as a prophet. To even call him Savior, without surrendering to him as Lord. But Jesus is both the Son of David and the Lord of David. Both fully human and fully divine. The fulfillment of prophecy—and the author of it. Which is mind-blowing when you really think about it.

Here’s the point: Jesus won’t always be the one answering questions. Sometimes he asks them of us. Not to check your theology, but to reveal your heart.

So let’s make it more personal: Who is Jesus to you? A historical figure—or your living King? A religious concept—or your ultimate authority? Because how you answer that question changes everything. How you think, feel, and act.

#JesusIsLord, #Mark12, #SonAndSovereign

ASK THIS:

1. Why is David calling his descendant “Lord” such a big deal?
2. What does this reveal about Jesus’ divine authority?
3. Where have you admired Jesus but failed to submit to him?
4. What question is Jesus asking you today?

DO THIS:

Read Psalm 110. Let the weight of Jesus’ identity as both Son and Sovereign shift how you speak to him and live for him today.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, you are more than I realize. Help me see you clearly and surrender fully. Expand my thoughts, my desires, and my decisions to reflect who you truly are. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“King of Kings”

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Thank you for joining me today and following us throughout Project 23. If you would like to learn more about this project, click the link to discover more and partner with us.

Our text today is Mark 12:28-34:

And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, "Which commandment is the most important of all?" Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." And the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions. — Mark 12:28-34

In a moment filled with debates and trick questions, one man dares to ask something sincere: "What's the most important commandment?" That's the right question.

And Jesus doesn't hesitate. He quotes the Shema from Deuteronomy 6—words every Jewish boy and girl had memorized:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself.

That's it. That's the whole law in two lines. Love vertically. Love horizontally.

The man nods. He gets it. He says it back to Jesus, and Jesus replies: "You are not far from the kingdom."

We complicate faith. Jesus simplifies it.

It's not about rules or rituals. Not about knowledge or appearances. It's about love—real love. Do you love God with your whole being? Do you love people as you love yourself? That's the measuring stick—not how much you know, but how well you love. And it's convicting, because most of us are pretty good at loving ourselves. We think about ourselves. Protect ourselves. Excuse ourselves.

But Jesus says: That same energy you give yourself? Give it to others. And more than that—give all of yourself to God. The love God wants is total. Not partial. Not occasional. Not reserved. All of it. This command doesn't leave room for compartmentalized faith. It pulls everything into the light: affections, thoughts, decisions, actions.

So live all in for him who lived all in for you.

#GreatestCommandment, #Mark12, #LoveGodLovePeople

ASK THIS:

1. Why does Jesus say these two commands summarize the whole law?
2. Which area of love is hardest for you—heart, soul, mind, or strength?
3. Who is someone God may be calling you to love more intentionally?
4. What does “not far from the kingdom” mean in your life?

DO THIS:

Ask God to show you where your love for Him has grown thin, and who around you needs the love you’ve been withholding.

PRAY THIS:

God, help me love you with all that I am—and love others the way you love me. Let my faith be full of real love, not empty religion. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“The Heart of Worship”