The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Mark 12:31
I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark. Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 12:28-34. Excerpts from the commentary's second (of two) division (vv31-34):
- The title of the second division per the commentary is "We Are Commanded to Love Others Genuinely."
- "How you respond to the first [command] (loving God) will determine how you respond to the second (loving your neighbor). When you obey the second, it shows that you have embraced the first."
- "Jesus adds Leviticus 19:18 to complement Deuteronomy 6:4-5. Growing out of my love for God, I love those who have been created by God in His image. “Neighbor” is not used here in a restrictive sense. All of humanity, even my enemies, are in view (see Luke 10:25-29)."
- We are referred to a Don Carson sermon where he looks at the Parable of the Good Samaritan and Leviticus 19 and how the text instructs us to love our neighbors as ourselves, including commands from Leviticus 19: "care for the poor (19:10), not steal (19:11), not lie (19:11), be fair in business dealings (19:14), care for the deaf (19:14), care for the blind (19:14), deal justly with all (19:15), avoid slander (19:16), not “jeopardize” the life of your neighbor (19:16), not “harbor hatred against your brother” (19:17), rebuke your neighbor when necessary for his and your good (19:17), and not take revenge or bear a grudge against others (19:18)."
- The commentary highlights v33 from the text for today and how Old Testament rituals "have no real meaning unless they are expressions of our love for Jesus and others." We are referred to 1 Samuel 15:22, Proverbs 21:3, and Hosea 6:6.
- "Obeying rules and regulations will never get me into the kingdom because I can never measure up to God’s perfect standard. No, I need a new me. I need a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26). I need the grace and mercy of my God who can make me a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). I need to draw near to Jesus, who has brought the kingdom of God near (Mark 1:15). One draws near and enters the kingdom not by religion but by a relationship with Jesus, a relationship that results in loving God supremely and others genuinely."
- The commentary for today's text wraps by sharing 1 John 4:7-12.
Comment and discuss this post.
My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves! Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of how You loved me first and while I was still an enemy and hostile to You, I was snatched from the fire and saved. Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of such love. 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 their 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.
