Today in God's Word—May 2023
East Tallassee Church of Christ
May 22, Mark 12
The Pharisees wanted to quarrel about the legality of certain aspects of daily life, like paying taxes to the despised Roman government. The goal of such questions was not to learn how to please God while under the dominion of a foreign power, but rather to trap Jesus into saying something they could use as a formal charge against him. They underestimated Jesus. He gave them a profound answer without giving them a single word they could use in their plot. The Sadducees used their interview time to filibuster about one of their pet doctrines. They didn’t believe in the resurrection, so they came to Jesus with a ridiculous story they believed would thoroughly confound Jesus and show the folly of the idea of a resurrection at the same time. Imagine how his words must have stung these experts when he told them they knew neither the Scripture nor the power of God. He showed them how, from words they knew by heart, that the dead are alive as far as God is concerned, and finished his answer by telling them they were quite wrong.
If the scribe who asked about the most important command was trying to test or trap Jesus, it seems that after he heard and agreed with Jesus’ answer he might have had second thoughts. Jesus said loving God with all our being was the most important command, and loving neighbor as self was second. The questioner acknowledged Jesus was right. He admitted these things were much more important than offerings and sacrifices, which were often emphasized as proof of love and devotion. Jesus saw that spark of recognition in the
scribe and told him he was not far from the kingdom of God.
The condition of your heart is revealed by the nature of the questions you ask. The questions aren’t bad in themselves, but the motive behind asking them may be. A good question may reveal a seeking, thoughtful heart as surely as a loaded question unmasks a heart of unbelief or rejection.
How often do we pass our words, thoughts and actions through the filter of the Great Commands? If everything else I’m supposed to do is somehow expressed in that pair of commandments, I should check my heart and life against the simple requirements of these laws. Do my thoughts, words and deeds reflect loving God most of all? Does my conduct and speech show love for my neighbor, that I really want what is best for him? These directives would put a stop to the mean and hateful patterns of behavior that characterize too many lives.
The scribe knew Jesus’ answer was good and right when he heard it. He was able to apply it and see that following these commands meant more than any ritual show of obedience. Do we recognize the truth when we hear it? Do our lives show it?
From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide for Your Journey Through the New Testament, Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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