Our scripture for the Daily Devotional today is taken from Mark 12: 28-34. As discussed yesterday, Jesus was often approached with the pressing questions of those around him. Today He is asked which of the commandments are most important of all?
“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.[e] 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.’[f] 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[g] There is no commandment greater than these.”
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32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.”
The Silver Bullet
I can understand where the teacher of the law was coming from here. I too often am looking for that silver bullet. The one thing that I can do to please God and receive His approval. Just tell me what to do and I will do it so that I can receive the fulfillment of this hole in my heart. Surely there is one thing that would trump all other actions and give me the reprieve that I’m searching for.
Jesus though did not comply with the question. Instead of a simple task to be done, He responded with a double whammy! Jesus said that my actions and attitude towards Him and those around me were more important than the things that I could do. I could not buy His approval or forgiveness with sacrifices, I had to buy it with my heart, my thoughts, and affections.
God wants our total commitment and devotion. He doesn’t want to be a passing thought or flaky crutch. He wants us to give Him 100%!
Let’s Pray
Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank you, Jesus, for clearly laying out the dedication that you are looking for. You are wanting 100% of me. Today I commit to loving you with my heart, mind, and soul.
In Jesus Name,
Amen