Bible Studies
Mark 12:28-34 – The Greatest Commandment
Key Verses:(NRSV)
- 28: “One of the scribes came near and…he asked Him, ‘Which commandment is the first of all?’” – Jesus and the disciples had entered Jerusalem with a throng celebrating Him as the Messiah. The religious scholars in the area had gathered to test the validity of this claim and the wisdom of this new prophet. Jewish tradition had developed 613 laws and traditions that were constantly being scrutinized and debated as to their importance and special distinctions or rankings.
- 29: “Jesus answered, ‘The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one.” – Jesus quotes from Deuteronomy 6:4. Moses had taught that these words should be recited “to your children…when you lie down and when you rise.”(Deut. 6:7)
- 30: “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.” – Jesus enhanced the quotation from Deuteronomy by adding the phrase: “with all your mind.”
- 31: “The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” – It is important to recognize that Jesus grouped these two verses together as one. One is not possible without the other.
- 32-33: “Then the scribe said to him…, ‘This is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.’” – Jewish tradition had developed to the point where everything in their relationship with God was centered around burnt offerings and sacrifices. This scribe recognized how Jesus’ teachings were over-turning the religious status quo.
- 34: “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.” – The gathered crowd of religious leaders had been silenced as they groped with the significance of Jesus’ teaching.
- Do you love God with all your heart?
Promises of the Gospel:
Our first reaction to today’s verses could be one of subtle boredom. “Oh, these verses. Yea, I know these verses.” We could also find our selves quietly cheering as Jesus scores another point for the good guys; giving those Pharisees and scribes a shot across the bow. However, when we sit down and prayerfully consider what He says we come to realize that these are commandments, not simply guidelines or suggestions. As commandments, we are convicted to realize how fully committed to God we are to be. We are to love Him with our entire being. Every breath we take should be a prayer and a song of praise. Every thought should be focused on Him. And every action should be in response to Him. When this happens our love for Him will overflow to the world around us. We cannot be selective. When we love God in the way we are commanded to love Him then we will also love His people. It is not possible to have one without the other.
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