The greatest commandment!
Scripture reading for February 25th: Mark 12
Key scriptures for over-comers: Mark 12:28-31 “One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. 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: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Religious people like to discuss theology and God’s word. It was no different in Jesus’ day. The teachers of this time had identified the ten Mosaic commandments and over 600 other commandment from the Scriptures. Each teacher had their own interpretations of the various laws and scriptures. One of these law teachers came to Jesus with an honest question: “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” Jesus did not hesitate for a moment, but identified two that comprised the greatest commandment: Love God completely and love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus taught that these two summed up all the laws of God. In loving God, we eliminate idolatry and giving God second place. We won’t profane His name or His day–the Sabbath. In loving our neighbor, we won’t murder, commit adultery, lie, steal or covet and we will honor our father and mother. This complete love fulfills the law.
Observations for over-comers: Love involves relationship–first with God and also with our neighbor and ourselves! Love never fails! “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness of His own name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:1-3)
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