With the day of Pentecost behind us, we move into ordinary time for several months until Advent. This is a long season and a beautiful one in which the Church has the opportunity and responsibility to remember the greater story of Jesus’ ministry as we seek to enflesh it today. But even with Pentecost behind us, don’t forget or neglect the work of the spirit of God in your life. And thank you for joining on this daily journey of seeking Jesus.
Mark 12:28-34 | Leviticus 19:15-18
This is a great passage! Don’t miss the details.
Of greatest insight is that the law is summed up by commandments 1a and 1b. Love is at the heart of the law (for God and neighbor). There is no way around this with Jesus. The measuring stick of the heart, mind, body, and spirit is love. This must be pounded into us. (With love, of course.)
But let’s give it up for a legal expert today! With Pharisees, Sadducees, and teachers of the law usually playing the role of what not to do, Jesus notes this legal expert’s wisdom and says he’s not far from the kingdom. Take heart, brothers and sisters…the seeds of justice and righteousness can be found amongst those with power.
But no more questions. Jesus is on his way.
Mark 12:28-34
One of the legal experts heard their dispute and saw how well Jesus answered them. He came over and asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?”
Jesus replied, “The most important one is Israel, listen! Our God is the one Lord, and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this, You will love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.”
The legal expert said to him, “Well said, Teacher. You have truthfully said that God is one and there is no other besides him. And to love God with all of the heart, a full understanding, and all of one’s strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself is much more important than all kinds of entirely burned offerings and sacrifices.”
When Jesus saw that he had answered with wisdom, he said to him, “You aren’t far from God’s kingdom.” After that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.
Leviticus 19:15-18
You must not act unjustly in a legal case. Do not show favoritism to the poor or deference to the great; you must judge your fellow Israelites fairly. Do not go around slandering your people. Do not stand by while your neighbor’s blood is shed; I am the Lord. You must not hate your fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your fellow Israelite strongly, so you don’t become responsible for his sin. You must not take revenge nor hold a grudge against any of your people; instead, you must love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.
Prayer
God,
How do we forget so often and so easily? Your law is love. It should be easy to remember. Harder to employ, but easy to remember.
So help me today to both remember and enact. As I give over to you, fill my mind and body with your love, that it may result in a life of compassion and grace.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.