Get the appWordLive - Year OneSample
Prepare: Wanting to do the right thing is not the same as doing it, but it’s a great start! Pray these words, ‘I desire to do your will, O my God’ (Psalm 40:8).
The greatest commandment
At last, a genuine question! The way Jesus had answered the other questions encouraged this man to step forward. In fact there was a great deal of discussion at the time about which of the 613 commandments was the most important. It doesn’t seem to be a big issue today!
Jesus’ answer was straightforward (vs 29–31). He linked two quotations from the Old Testament. Every day, good Jews recited the first one (Deuteronomy 6:4) as a morning and evening prayer. God is the only God and love for him is to be at the absolute centre of our lives.
Right relationships
But Jesus adds another dimension – ‘mind’ (v 30) is not mentioned in Deuteronomy. Paul picks it up again in Romans 12:2. The second commandment, to love our neighbour (v 31), is from Leviticus 19:18. Having a right relationship with God has to flow over into all our relationships.
Amazingly, the teacher is satisfied – the only time in the Gospels when a scribe agrees with Jesus! But he goes even further than Jesus. Remarkably, since they are in the Temple, he says that these commandments are all more important than sacrifices (v 33).
Yet, despite all of this, Jesus only says that he is ‘not far from the kingdom of God’ (v 34). What more did he (and we) need to get there?
Respond: ‘Lord, I don’t always love you or my neighbour as I should. Help me to learn how to love with all of my being.’
http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-11-20
The greatest commandment
At last, a genuine question! The way Jesus had answered the other questions encouraged this man to step forward. In fact there was a great deal of discussion at the time about which of the 613 commandments was the most important. It doesn’t seem to be a big issue today!
Jesus’ answer was straightforward (vs 29–31). He linked two quotations from the Old Testament. Every day, good Jews recited the first one (Deuteronomy 6:4) as a morning and evening prayer. God is the only God and love for him is to be at the absolute centre of our lives.
Right relationships
But Jesus adds another dimension – ‘mind’ (v 30) is not mentioned in Deuteronomy. Paul picks it up again in Romans 12:2. The second commandment, to love our neighbour (v 31), is from Leviticus 19:18. Having a right relationship with God has to flow over into all our relationships.
Amazingly, the teacher is satisfied – the only time in the Gospels when a scribe agrees with Jesus! But he goes even further than Jesus. Remarkably, since they are in the Temple, he says that these commandments are all more important than sacrifices (v 33).
Yet, despite all of this, Jesus only says that he is ‘not far from the kingdom of God’ (v 34). What more did he (and we) need to get there?
Respond: ‘Lord, I don’t always love you or my neighbour as I should. Help me to learn how to love with all of my being.’
http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-11-20
Scripture
About this Plan
WordLive provides a daily slice of Bible reading and commentary that, over four years, covers most of the Bible. The commentary encourages the reader to engage with the Bible passage in order to deepen their relationship with God, through reflection and practical application. The WordLive website offers further multimedia content and group Bible study, while registration offers a daily email, journal and bookmarking, and community tools.
More
We would like to thank Scripture Union England & Wales for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: www.wordlive.org/youversion
Related Plans
Bible Reflections From Scripture Union Volume One
Face To Faith
Daily Direction Reading Plan
Daily Encouragement
There's Hope For Today
The NIV 365-Day Devotional Reading Plan
The Jesus Bible Reading Plan
Day By Day With Billy Graham
The Gospel of Mark (Part Seven)
