The Gospel of Mark: First Commandment

One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he 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. ~ Mark 12:28-34



What laws are important to your faith? To our faith?


What commandments make you want to pass judgment on another?


What commandments have others used to pass judgment on you?


If you do a survey of all the ways in which Christians judge each other and others who aren't Christian, you will find a myriad of laws we say are being broken. Many of these have taken over the conversation about the Christian faith in general and certainly about Christian culture.


But there are two things Jesus stresses over and over.


Love God.


Love your neighbor.


And over and over again he will show that your neighbor isn't who you expect. Your neighbor could very well be your enemy.


And don't love with a tepid love. Love with your whole heart.


With your whole self.


What would the Christian culture wars look like if we all did that?



Holy God, thank you for the gospel - the good news - of your Son. Open my mind and heart to this good news and enliven me with your Spirit of servanthood that I might share this good news with a world in need. Amen


Engagement Questions: 


Who are you being called to love?

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