Mark 12: 28-37
Another one comes to ask. Jesus and those who disputed with him had drawn a crowd. Whether this one came to put Jesus to the test or to ask sincerely for his thoughts can be debated from reading the texts, but the question posed is one we remember. “Which commandment is first of all?” he asked. Jesus answers apparently without hesitation quoting his heritage, “ ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all you 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.” The answer was heard! Jesus’ position was established; his opponents were silenced. Now he alone would ask questions. But as we know winning the debate did not save his life.
We usually rightly concentrate our study of this passage on the Great Commandment, but for a moment let’s think about the questioner, answerer, and the question. Why did Jesus answer this question directly when previous ones he had dodged? Why was this answer sufficient to end the attempt to entrap him? Why did this questioner accept the response?
No one else asks Jesus a question until he is on trial. Can we hear as those who were there that day? Does not Jesus summarize his teaching in this one response?
Let’s listen for how this answer is acted out in the remaining days of his life.
Lord Jesus, teach us to love as you describe, as you did. Amen.
Blessings, Caroline
Another one comes to ask. Jesus and those who disputed with him had drawn a crowd. Whether this one came to put Jesus to the test or to ask sincerely for his thoughts can be debated from reading the texts, but the question posed is one we remember. “Which commandment is first of all?” he asked. Jesus answers apparently without hesitation quoting his heritage, “ ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all you 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.” The answer was heard! Jesus’ position was established; his opponents were silenced. Now he alone would ask questions. But as we know winning the debate did not save his life.
We usually rightly concentrate our study of this passage on the Great Commandment, but for a moment let’s think about the questioner, answerer, and the question. Why did Jesus answer this question directly when previous ones he had dodged? Why was this answer sufficient to end the attempt to entrap him? Why did this questioner accept the response?
No one else asks Jesus a question until he is on trial. Can we hear as those who were there that day? Does not Jesus summarize his teaching in this one response?
Let’s listen for how this answer is acted out in the remaining days of his life.
Lord Jesus, teach us to love as you describe, as you did. Amen.
Blessings, Caroline
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