Let’s set the scene for today’s scripture reading.
Jesus has returned to Jerusalem, and as he’s walking to the temple, chief priests, scribes, and elders from both the Pharisees and Sadducees come to pepper Jesus with a variety of questions. How can this man who claims to follow the Torah continue to cause such havoc for the religious elite?
Jesus is asked, “By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority?” His responses come in parables, only frustrating the religious leaders more.
As the conversation - maybe debate is a more appropriate term - as the debate continues on for days, eventually something Jesus says peaks a scribe’s sincere curiosity.
The story picked up in the Gospel of Mark chapter 12 verses 28 through 34:
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.
For the Word of God in scripture, for the Word of God among us, and for the Word of God within us we say…Thanks be to God.
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