Mark 12:13 And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.

Who are they? We have to look back to the last chapter to discover who is sending “certain” men to do their bidding. 11:27 identifies them as the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders. This is a very touchy subject. We are to be subject one to another and if we are chosen by church leaders to perform any task, whose bidding are you doing?

When asked to serve, do you take it to the Lord or jump in? When pondering this I was taken back to my military service and remember that it was my duty to execute any lawful order. What constituted a lawful order? First of all, you had to study and understand the military code of conduct. Let me tell you from experience that basic training didn’t cover the whole of the code of conduct. They only covered the basics.

It was up to me to step up and go beyond what was pointed out in basic and study the code for myself. Much in the same way that I had to dedicate myself to serve the military, we should study and understand the commandments above and beyond what teachers and preachers say.

Only by knowing the Word in a personal commitment of relationship will you ever discover if you are doing the Lord’s bidding or executing an illegal order.

Mark 11:27ip, 32ip the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders, feared the people:

IP stands for in part. I parsed the verses to highlight this important issue of fear of man. These were the leaders of the temple, their spiritual leaders, so why were they in fear of man?

They themselves did not fear God and were in rebellion. They abused their power and used the people to their own gain. Now comes Jesus speaking truth and they could feel the seeds of rebellion against their position.

This is what happens when you live a life without fear of God. Understand me, a proper reverent fear. Not that you see God as a destroyer but as a Father who means what He says, keeps His Word, and will not tolerate rebellion in His House.

The chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders used fear tactics to control the people. There are plenty of examples within the bible which can be twisted to convey an improper message about who God is and what His intensions are for the people. It is all centered around “you must”.

Do the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of today’s churches still use those tactics? Sadly the answer is yes in some religions. If you have a relationship with Jesus, you hear the truth and the truth sets you free from the fear of man because you are not in rebellion against God.

You only get to speak boldly for God if there is no rebellion in your heart.