Lent 2026 Day 37: Wed 1 Apr
Mark 12:28-34
28 Now one of the scribes had come up and heard their debate. Noticing how well Jesus had answered them, he asked Him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 29 Jesus replied, “This is the most important: ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” 32 “Right, Teacher,” the scribe replied. “You have stated correctly that God is One and there is no other but Him, 33 and to love Him with all your heart and with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself, which is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 When Jesus saw that the man had answered wisely, He said, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to question Him any further.
During this last week Jesus is already aware of what will happen to him. He probably knows more clearly now than before that he’ll celebrate the Passover and then be arrested. Spies were watching him, looking for an excuse to take him, though an arrest in the open during daylight hours could cause a major disturbance. To the common Israelite, Jesus was still an amazing character. Jesus would have gone up in the estimation of those who were regularly fleeced (like lambs!) by the Temple merchants and moneychangers after he’d turned their tables over.
The religious leaders saw him differently. He was threatening their status, their power and influence, their security and authority, and the very basis of their beliefs. The scribe who came to Jesus was of a more open mind. He may have asked the question as a test, perhaps to trap him, but he was impressed by Jesus’ answer. The religious leaders may have opted for the strict rules of the Ten Commandments, as they would be easy to monitor. Adultery? Stone her. Theft? Lock ‘em up. Sabbath-breaking? Pay up!
Now how do you enforce a law like the one Jesus quoted? The Only God speaks to all Israel: Love me! Love me with every breath of your body. Love me deeply and give your heart and soul to me. Think nothing other than thoughts of love and express this to the utmost of your power and strength. There’s no way to police that! And the religious leaders knew, too, that they were not qualified to police it, for they themselves were not obeying this law. As Jesus challenged them, let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
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 strength.
These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
How much of your sharing of your faith is based on love?
How is Father’s love experienced and offered back in our worship?
Father God, Jesus pointed to the greatest commandment, yet in the church we seem to prefer legality and sanctionable rules. Bring us to love you in Jesus. Amen.
Paul