Unhinged Jesus: Part One


Seems to me that most followers and seekers think of the pastoral and peaceful Jesus. However, there are great examples of "Unhinged Jesus", and I think they are very honest depictions of The Son of Man desperate to "correct" the teachings of the Jewish religious, social and political leaders of his time. Exactly what his 'mission' was/is. 

I'm writing this post on August 20, 2025. The gospel reading for today is from Mark 12:13-27. This reading is in my top 10 list of Jesus' conversations; I use that word (conversation) to make it sound better than Jesus likely sounded to those he was speaking/teaching to or AT!

In the reading Jesus "utterly" amazes "some Pharisees and some Herodians" by seeing their hypocrisy and teaching them about truth and the word. Jesus takes their poor attempt to trick him and turns it into his genius and truth. In the reading Jesus also teaches "some Sadducees" and dresses them down pointing out bluntly: "Is not this the reason you are wrong, that you know neither the scripture nor the power of God?" Jesus took an amazingly brief and concise approach to teach them about resurrection: "He is God not of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong." 

You should look up who the Pharisees, Herodians and Sadducees were/are. They are still with us under different names. This reading shows Jesus ripping into the 3 major Jewish leader groups of his time: religious, social and political. The critical words to me are "you are wrong." Directly to the point. No questions asked and no rebuttals from those he was 'teaching'. It is worth studying that Jesus did not have these types of conversations with the Roman leaders. His mission was to correct those that were teaching wrong.

If you are following and seeking Jesus, much of the critical elements of his faith is in this reading. He confronts those that don't believe in resurrection and opens the understanding of the 'afterlife', angels and spirits and addresses those that have an over zealously for traditions in the Torah and speaks directly to the political leaders: all in this reading. 

The other focus point in this reading (because it is a major point for Jesus) is the word hypocrisy. Jesus could not have used a more damning word. Hypocrisy to Jesus is the worst condition for someone.

In an "Unhinged Jesus: Part Two" post, I will discuss my number one chapter in the gospels that show Jesus in his unhinged mode: Matthew Chapter 23. Of course, there is also that little issue of smashing up the money changers AT THE TEMPLE! Also, when his family thought "...He is out of his mind." (Mark 3:21) Yes, Jesus went ballistic when he felt it.

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