Mark and the Godhead

Mark and Luke are almost identical when comparing Mark 12 and Luke 20. This gave rise to the theory that there was a previous document called the Q document that both were copied from. The problem is that they differ by one section where both have one story the other doesn't have. The same can be said of Matthew where in the same section there is one story or a better word would be parable the others do not have.

The parable of the two sons  - Matthew 21:28-32

The great commandment  - Mark 12:28-34

Parable of the tenants  - Luke 20:9-18

It seems the Holy Spirit took steps to show they were independent prophets by providing one section not provided by the other. They were not just copyists. Since they were independent we need all three to get the full picture of what Jesus was saying. The idea there was a Q document that all were copied from doesn't have a lot of support from the documents themselves, quite the opposite seems to be true. This would disprove a lot of the scholars schools relied upon over the years.

      Still, we must realize each added section adds an independent idea that is very important and usable. Mark, for instance, adds the story of Jesus asking a question about the great commandment. Though this has been used by liberals to say love is the key and not commandments, we can see there is more to the story that does not point us to liberal conclusions.

The whole story points to knowing and hearing God. Jesus quotes Moses and starts his answer with the whole key to worshipping. We are commanded to recognize the Godhead. Some call this the Trinity, the Biblical word is the Godhead. Plus, there are differences between the Godhead and the traditional Trinity doctrine. Nevertheless, Jesus chooses to have this conversation between the conversation on authority and the conversation about David calling his son Lord.

Jesus quotes Moses and David to create a doctrinal point about his connection as a member of the Godhead and his authority as given by the Godhead.

It seems to be a strategic conversation that ties the messiah to the Godhead. Jesus was called Lord before he was made human. David in the Psalms calls the Messiah Lord. In other words Jesus was Lord in David's lifetime. Perhaps Moses referred to Jesus in the ten commandments and Deuteronomy 6:4-6. Moses likely referred to the coming Messiah as Lord in his lifetime. 

Jesus said all authority had been given unto him in heaven and earth, the question is whether he was given this authority before David and before Moses, even before creation. Perhaps the idea the Godhead split into a temporary type of authority where Jesus would have all authority before our world was created is reasonable.  Then he received a different authority when ascending to heaven after his resurrection.This differs with many councils which said Jesus was begotten before time, the difference is a subset of authority was conceived versus the person of Jesus being conceived. Jesus was eternal. His authority over this world was given. Therefore the Godhead in some sense agreed and split off Christ's authority before time. Jesus was Lord before David. This could mean Jesus was in the Godhead before creation or Jesus was made Lord by the Godhead before creation. It was a subset of God's authority split off for a distinct purpose.

Thus Hebrews 1 bears out a good point.

"All things were made through him and for him".

     The great commandment starts with "hear O Israel", the first thing we must do before worshipping in truth is to listen. Faith comes by hearing so faith requires us to hear and understand who Christ is. So what does Moses and Jesus want us to know.

"The Lord our God is one Lord"

The word one is a word that means a United one. The same word that is used of a husband and wife becoming one flesh. Moses wanted us to know about the Godhead, and specifically that God was acting as a united plurality. It is possible the first word Lord is plural for a reason, the second word Lord may speak of the messiah who is directly joined to the Godhead. This matches Christ's statement the He and the Father were one, they are inseperably united. In other words, the current "Lord" over Moses is united to some entity or group acting over himself.

The command to hear is followed by "Love the Lord thy God", which would imply loving the entire Godhead. It isn't enough to love the Father only. We would have to love all facets of the Godhead, including Jesus. Jesus was Lord and God as expressed by Thomas.  Since Jesus is one with the Father there is no reason not to love both. Since Jesus quoted Moses who used God in a united sense, we should love the entire Godhead.

This seems to be connected to Christ's next question, how can David call his offspring Lord? The answer is Jesus was and is part of the Godhead. The Father and Son are united, and the Son deserves the title Lord. 

Mar 12:35  And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David? 

Mar 12:36  For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. 

Mar 12:37  David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly. 

As Peter defined in Acts 2,

Jesus was  "made Lord and Christ". 

The term made seems awkward because Jesus was Lord before David, but not Christ till he was conceived and made flesh. Perhaps he was lord when authority was split off for him before creation and made Christ when born for that purpose. Jesus had a heavenly authority as well as an authority among mankind.