Friday 20 March 2009
- Bible Book:
- Mark
"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 neighbour as oneself," – this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices'." (v.32-33)
Background
This passage gives a moment of peace in the midst ofhostilities. The scribes and Pharisees (religious leaders) seem tobe out to get Jesus, or at least they are asking him hardquestions. Here, Jesus is invited to choose which commandment isthe greatest. His answer meets with the approval of the scribe,"You are right, Teacher". In return, Jesus affirms the scribe -"You are not far from the kingdom of God". Peace at last.
Jesus' summary of the commandments as love of God (
The scribe's comment that the doing of these commandments isgreater than sacrifices and burnt offerings echoes the challengesof the Old Testament prophets to those who put ritual and rightorder above the demands of love of neighbour and love ofjustice.
The passage is so familiar that it's hard to hear. We know it. Weproclaim it in our worship. But do we put it into practice? Otherpassages remind us that we have many more neighbours than those wholive close to us, and those who think and look like us.
Soon Jesus will face the ultimate test of love as he is betrayed,denied, abandoned, tortured and ultimately crucified. In that wesee the extent of God's love - "Love so amazing, so divine, demandsmy soul, my life, my all" (from 'When I survey the wondrous Cross',a hymn by Isaac Watts.)
To Ponder
As you read the newspaper today or listen to thenews, what would it mean for you to love those who hit theheadlines as we love ourselves? The offenders as well as thevictims? What practical action would be the sign of that love?
We are invited to love God with all ourunderstanding. How do you deepen your understanding of God and sodeepen your love for God?