Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And 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.” Mark 12:29-31
I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark. Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 12:28-34:, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method:
- What do we learn from the passage about God?: We see Jesus understanding scripture - and following both keys aspects of the greatest commandments to love God with all of your mind (v30) and understanding (v30) God gives You, and to love others (vv31, 33). Jesus understands that all of the ten commands (Exodus 20) "depend on" on these two greatest commandments (Matthew 22:40). Jesus is also obedient - perfectly. He not only ultimately follows God's will to die on the cross, but He also fulfilled all prophecy to build a church (through His ministry described here in Mark and elsewhere) to share the gospel to all corners of the earth throughout all redemptive history.
- What do we learn from the passage about people?: We see at least one of the scribes understanding God's will - given this understanding from God - that God does not want "whole burnt offerings and sacrifices" as empty rituals. The ceremonial law (vs moral law) goes away with Jesus. Jesus seeks for us to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). Building on this command, Jesus seeks for us - as an overflowing expression of His love for us and ours for Him - to bring glory to God in all that we do (1 Corinthians 10:31). In v34, the one scribe questioning Jesus "not far from the kingdom of God" - meaning perhaps moving closer to being an ally of Jesus or believing in Him. Yet going forward Jesus' crucifixion is not far off because they cannot trap Jesus into blasphemy (no more questions to be asked), but the Jewish leaders still want to destroy Jesus so they proceed with condemnation and murder of an innocent man. Broken sinful people (the scribes, Jewish elders, etc.) are used by God to be part of His plan. This includes us and others both unwillingly and unwittingly.
- Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Love God - with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength - and love others.
Comment and discuss this post.
My Prayer: Father God, You are good, true, and perfect. Thank You for the blessing of Your Word and for my salvation. I am not deserving of either. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as Your Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
