Mark 12:28–34
One of the scribes came near and heard Jesus and the Sadducees disputing with one another, and seeing that Jesus answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 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.” Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; 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,’ —this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question.
REFLECTIONS:
It is easy to hear Jesus’ understanding the Law becoming a relationship of love with God and one another in the Kingdom of God. It is not like he has come up with a new understanding of the Law but rather an emphasis of interpretation. He was arguing with the scribes over whether the Law was an end in itself. The ideal was not how many laws you didn’t break as to how you lived out their intent with God and neighbor. He illustrated that in his parables that broke the sabbath. Peace to you, Keith
Leave a Reply