Mark 9:14 – Luke 1:80
Overview
As we finish reading through the Gospel of Mark and begin Luke, I can’t help but think about the many people Jesus came in contact with. He was almost always healing, feeding or teaching the people. He not only met the spiritual needs of those he encountered, but in some cases he also feed them. As we begin reading Luke, we see that this Gospel longer and includes information not found in Mark. An interesting parallel comparison Matthew, Mark, Luke and John will show that Luke seems to offer a more complete account than Mark or Matthew except for a few exceptions with Matthew.
Scripture Mark 10:28 – 31
28 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?”29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘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 neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Observation
As we read the Gospel accounts we see Jesus being challenged by Satan and the religious leaders of the day. Each time Jesus is confronted with a question to try and trick him, his response is usually given in Old Testament Scriptures. The account above with the Pharisee is a good example of this. Jesus quotes two different Old Testament passages as he responds to the question about what is the greatest commandment. He quotes Duet 6:4 – 5 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 strength. Then Jesus quotes Leviticus 19:18 which says 18 “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.” Jesus concludes that there are no greater commands than the ones he just recited.
Application
There are a couple of applications for this bit of scripture. First, How do we know the heart of God? How would we have answered these questions if someone asked us? Jesus was prepared to give a response because he knew the scriptures. Our Lord wants us to know His scriptures so when we speak about the things of God, we will be able to give a response. The Holy Spirit will help us understand and apply scripture to our lives but we need to read it first.
Next, Jesus points out the most important commandment of them all. Love the Lord God with all your heart. If we do this, everything else will follow. Rather than focusing on our own sinful desires, we will desire to please God. If we place God first in our hearts and minds, His word and his truth will flow from us. It is when we place our own interests first that we fail God.
Prayer
Thank you that we are able to know you and have a personal relationship with you Lord. As I fill my mind with your word it does flow to my heart and out through my words and deeds. Your Holy Spirit dwells in all believers and helps us understand your Word. Praise the Lord!
