Jesus Questioned About the Great Commandment

GOLDEN TEXT: “And to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” —Mark 12:33

MARK 12:28-34

WHILE the scribes and Pharisees as a class bitterly opposed Jesus and were often hypocritical in their attitude toward him, there were individual exceptions, one of which appears in today’s lesson. This scribe, the record states, was prompted to ask Jesus a question because he noted the wisdom with which the Master was answering the questions of others. He apparently had a sincere desire to know more about Jesus of Nazareth.

This is borne out by Jesus’ observation when he said to the scribe, “Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.” (vs. 34) In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:3) To be “poor in spirit” is to realize a sense of one’s spiritual need for guidance by the wisdom which is from above. Evidently this scribe displayed a certain degree of this characteristic which, if it continued to develop, would eventually lead to full discipleship.

The scribe’s question concerning the “first” or primary commandment had reference, apparently, to the basic, or fundamental law of God. In answering this question, Jesus wisely quoted from the writings of Moses: “Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord; and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.” “This,” Jesus said, “is the first commandment.”—vss. 29,30; Deut. 6:4,5

Quoting again from Moses, Jesus continued, “The second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” (vs. 31; Lev. 19:18) The first of these commandments stresses supreme love for God, and what it implies; the second, a genuine, unselfish love for our neighbors, which we may properly think of as including all mankind.

The first four of the Ten Commandments outline in further detail what is involved in supreme love for God—“Thou shalt have no other gods before me”; “Thou shall not make unto thee any graven image”; “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain”; and, “Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy.” (Exod. 20:3-11) All of these commandments refer to our duty toward God, and explain what is involved in supreme love for him.

The last six of the Ten Commandments reveal the manner in which love for our neighbors will affect our relationships to them—“Honor thy father and thy mother”; “Thou shalt not kill”; “Thou shalt not commit adultery”; “Thou shalt not steal”; “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor”; and, “Thou shalt not covet.” (Exod. 20:12-17) It is obvious that if we love others as we love ourselves, we will keep these six commandments.

Thus, we see, the two commandments of Moses which Jesus referred to as the “first” and “second” commandments are in reality a summary of all the Ten Commandments; so in quoting these to the scribe he was really emphasizing the importance of the whole law of God.

The scribe, being sincere, could find no fault at all with Jesus’ answer to his question, agreeing that the keeping in spirit of these two commandments “is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” (vs. 33) This scribe realized that the various animal sacrifices enjoined upon the people of Israel were of little value if the people did not, in their hearts, live up to the spirit of true love for God and for one another.

In Jesus’ ministry he exemplified the full meaning of supreme love for God, a love which impels one to do God’s will regardless of what the consequences might be. In sending Jesus into the world, it was God’s will for him that he should lay down his life sacrificially as the world’s Redeemer. This is not God’s will for all, but it was for Jesus; and Jesus was wholeheartedly obedient to it. This led to his death on Calvary’s cross.

And Jesus gave his followers the opportunity to demonstrate the same full devotion to the Father’s will. Indeed, this is the only condition upon which one may be a true disciple of Christ. We are to deny ourselves, and take up our cross and follow Jesus into death. This sacrifice, however, is not a pointless one, but is designed to bring blessings to others. Jesus’ “new commandment” to his disciples was that they should lay down their lives for the brethren. Thus, while Christians are not directly under the Mosaic law, the spirit of that law is fulfilled in their hearts and lives.

QUESTIONS

Were all the scribes and Pharisees hypocrites?

What was implied in the scribe’s question concerning the “first” commandment?

What is the relationship of the “first” and “second” to the Ten Commandments?

What is the “new commandment” given to Christians?

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