“… no commandment greater than these …”
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
(Mark 12:28-34; NIV. Please read Mark 12-13 … at least a couple of times.)
They asked questions … when they didn’t really want to know the answers. They seem more interested in their positions … rather than their practice.
So … Jesus settled it … once and for all.
For their position: The greatest commandment is, “Love God”. And the second: “Love your neighbor”.
But here’s the thing … these commandments are COMMANDMENTS – not just doctrinal positions. They are commandments – not just to be quoted – but to be obeyed … lived out in real life.
ON SECOND THOUGHT: Enough talking about them – their questions – their arrogance – their disobedience. Today, am I obeying the greatest commandment ever given by God? How about the second? I won’t ask you … because I think I might ought to make sure that I am doing what I can to please the Lord.
August 16, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Questions can be used to manipulate someone. How many times have I asked a question trying to trap someone or trying to get them to a point in the conversation where I can say what I want to say? So many people did this to Jesus when they were trying to trap Him. I love that He was always able to leave them disappointed … they didn’t get what they wanted. Because what He spoke was truth, it could not be challenged or changed by their questions.
Love God and love my neighbor. Sometimes I can equate love with “not being mean to” or “ignoring, avoiding, or staying away from”. Surely if I’m not harming someone I’m loving them … or if I’m not cursing God I’m loving Him. I tend to think if I just keep to myself and don’t really talk to many people then I can’t be accused of not loving them right? If they need me they will ask … they will seek me out. This passive attitude is not what God had in mind. He wants action from us and I need to do better with my actions. I need to actively participate in my life and the lives of others. After all, there is no greater command than these … I better listen.
August 16, 2008 at 8:03 pm
I like that it says this teacher of the law noticed that Jesus had given a good answer. Jesus always has the good answer doesn’t He? I need to take my questions, my doubts, to Him and let Him give me the good answer. I need to listen to Him and learn what pleases God.
Love God. Love your neighbor. That good answer is critical to my pleasing the Lord. Seems like Jesus had a good answer to the question “exactly who is my neighbor” when He told us about the Samaritan who went out of his way to help a hurting man.
Lord help me to learn how to love You fully…and to love my neighbor in the way that pleases you.