THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT (Mark 12:28-34)
INTRODUCTION:
As we continue to go through Mark 12, the setting is still the Wednesday of Passion week. A day which begins back in the end of chapter 11 and continues through to chapter 14. All that day the presence and teaching of the Lord Jesus dominated the temple courts as He taught the people and silenced the religious leaders. After dealing with questions of a hostile nature from a group of Pharisees and Herodians, then from a delegation of Sadducees, Jesus was given a question by a representative of the scribes, the third major group that comprised the Sanhedrin. The scribes were theologians, the experts in biblical interpretation among the Jews. It is not surprising that this scribe chose to ask Jesus a question about the Scriptures. It does not seem that this scribe was sent specifically by the Sanhedrin but was one who was listening as Jesus debated with the delegation of Sadducees. Most scribes were Pharisees, and Matthew in the parallel account to this morning’s passage tells us that it was a group of Pharisees that were listening to Jesus’ answer to the Sadducees, and a scribe within this group asked Jesus the next question concerning Scripture. The reason I do not believe this scribe was sent from the Sanhedrin is his question does not seem to be dripping with venom. In other words he was not hostile. Instead, he came to Jesus because he had been profoundly impressed as he listened to the way in which Jesus had handled the trick questions given by first the Pharisees and Herodians, and then the Sadducees. Let’s pray and then get into our passage for this morning.
--PRAY--
SCRIPTURE:
Turn in your Bibles to Mark 12 again, verses 28-34, our passage for today. If you are able, please stand in honor of the reading of God’s Word and follow along as I read.
Mark 12:28-34,
“One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, ‘What commandment is the foremost of all?’ Jesus answered, ‘The foremost is, “Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” The second is this, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.’ The scribe said to Him, ‘Right, Teacher; You have truly stated that He is One, and there is no one else besides Him; and to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as himself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.’ When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ After that, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions.” (Mark 12:28–34, NASB95)[1]
A SCRIBE’S QUESTION (Mark 12:28)
This next encounter that Jesus had with the religious leaders began with a question from a scribe. Mark records for us in verse 28, “One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, ‘What commandment is the foremost of all?’ ” (Mark 12:28, NASB95)[2] The scribe it seems initially came to see the confrontation between Jesus and the Sadducees. Even though the scribe disliked and did not agree with the Sadducee’s doctrine, he came rooting for them because they, like he, had a religion of human achievement. Jesus was a threat to his belief system. But as this scribe listened to the breath-taking intelligence of Jesus in answering the resurrection question, refuting the Sadducees with a quotation form Exodus 3:6 (from the very heart of the books of Moses), the scribe found himself inwardly applauding Jesus and he was subconsciously drawn to Him. As the Sadducees stood silent, before he knew it, he was impulsively asking a question, and it was his own question. It came from a scribal mind game of trying to reduce their religion down to a single statement. It was common in both the Old Testament writings and Jewish teaching in the first century for teachers to attempt to summarize man’s chief obligation to God. For example, the prophet Micah wrote in Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8, NASB95)[3] God told the prophet Habakkuk in chapter 2, verse 4, “But the righteous will live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4b, NASB95)[4] Rabbi Hillel, who taught twenty years before the ministry of Jesus, summed it up this way, “What you would not want done to you, do not do to your neighbor. This is the essence of the law. Everything else is mere commentary on it.” This was his own rendition of what we call the golden rule, stated as a prohibition, rather than in positive terms as Jesus did. These are just a few attempts to sum up the whole duty of man.
The scribe’s question was, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” (Mark 12:28b, NASB95)[5] This inquiry was not concerned with chronology; the scribe was not seeking to find out which commandment God issued first. Rather, he was asking a question of priority. He was asking, “What is the single most important commandment that God has given to the world?” He wanted to know the chief duty of man, of every man ever created in the image of God. This is what this scribe wanted to know and was looking for the answer from the brilliant mind of Jesus.
A RESPONSE BY JESUS (Mark 12:29-31)
The scribe was not disappointed; the Lord’s response was as always perfect and absolutely accurate. In His response Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy and Leviticus from passages that were familiar to all Jews. By again quoting from the first five books of Moses, Jesus showed His complete agreement with Moses and with the truth of the Word of God as recorded by Him. Mark records for us Jesus’ response, “Jesus answered, ‘The foremost is, “Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” The second is this, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.’ ” (Mark 12:29–31, NASB95)[6] Jesus directed the man’s attention to the most fundamental summary of man’s obligation that God gave to His people in the Old Testament, the Shema Israel which is the first words of Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear, O Israel!” This was the opening sentence of every synagogue worship service. It was also repeated by every pious Jew morning and evening every day. In fact, it was worn by the devout in a tiny leather box, called a phylactery, either on the forehead or on the wrist while in prayer. Godly households also hung the Shema on their doors in a small round box called a Muzuzah. Everyone knew this part of Jesus’ answer. It was the creed of Israel. The theme of the book of Deuteronomy, where Jesus’ answer came from, is recorded in Deuteronomy 5:32-33, “So you shall observe to do just as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right or to the left. You shall walk in all the way which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you will possess.” (Deuteronomy 5:32–33, NASB95)[7] Building on that theme, Moses began in chapter 6 by repeating that his purpose was to teach the people of Israel obedience to God as they entered the Promised Land, he stated this in Deuteronomy 6:1-2, “Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the judgments which the Lord your God has commanded me to teach you, that you might do them in the land where you are going over to possess it, so that you and your son and your grandson might fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged.” (Deuteronomy 6:1–2, NASB95)[8] He then gave them the motive for obedience in verses 4-5, which Jesus quoted in His response to the scribe. Obedience cannot be simply external, it must be internal, from the heart, motivated by faithful love for the one true God. The word translated love in Deuteronomy 6:4 is from the Greek word agapaō, which is the love of intelligence, of the will, of purpose, choice, sacrifice, and obedience, not phileo, which is the love of attraction. Love is connected to fearing God, who is worthy of all devotion and affection. But that love is based on who He is; it is a response of genuine knowledge of the one true God, who alone is to be worshiped.
The Shema requires that God be loved first with all our faculties, which is what is meant by these separate elements of human nature. The idea is more about the totality than the individual features. Still, each can be given a bit of a definition. The heart in Hebrew understanding is the core of a person’s identity; it is the source of all thoughts, words, and actions. This is why Proverbs 4:23 exhorts, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23, NASB95)[9] Love for God must flow from the deepest part of a person’s being. Soul adds the emotions. In Matthew 26:38 Jesus said, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death;” (Matthew 26:38b, NASB95)[10] speaking of His soul as the seat of emotions. Mind involves the will, the intentions, and purposes. Strength refers to physical energy and function. The intellectual, emotional, volitional, and physical elements of a person are all involved in loving God. Genuine love for God is an intelligent love, and emotional love, a willing love, and an active love. In other words, it is a comprehensive, all-consuming love and singular adoration.
The second part of Jesus’ answer was taken from Leviticus 19:18. Mark writes, “The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” (Mark 12:31a, NASB95)[11] This also was familiar to all Jews. So where was the genius in Jesus’ answer? It was in this, the thoughts of loving God and loving mankind had been voiced by other rabbis and scribes, but this was the first time any rabbi had fused these two specific Scripture references together.
The brilliance of this lay not only in its formulation, but in its implications. First, it summarized the entire Ten Commandments. The first part of Jesus answer summarized the first four commandments, which have to do with our love for God (Exodus 20:2-11). The second part of Jesus answer summarized the final six commands, which have to do with our love for mankind (Exodus 20:12-17). Jesus’ answer encompassed the whole law, as Matthew says in the parallel passage in Matthew 22:40, “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:40, NASB95)[12]
Second, Jesus’ double answer showed that love for God and love for mankind cannot be divided. This teaching had a powerful impact on the early church. John the apostle later would write in his first epistle in chapter 4, verse 21, “And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.” (1 John 4:21, NASB95)[13]
Third, Jesus’ command to love your neighbor “as yourself” radicalized the call to human love. None of the earlier formulas included this qualification. Including “as yourself” provides us with a conscious and conscience-convicting standard, because we sinners all love ourselves and God calls on us to love others in the same way.
What powerful teaching this was! This wonderful balance of devotion—loving God and loving man—could not be denied or refuted. Never had it been said so well or so Biblically, as Jesus said it here. It was perfect, it was accurate. It truly encompassed the whole Law. And it was clearly seen in the character of Christ’s person; He was living it out and this just made it all the more compelling.
A SCRIBE’S REACTION AND THE LORD’S REPLY (Mark 12:32-34)
How would the scribe react to Jesus’ response to his question? Remember, there were other Pharisees and members of the Sanhedrin listening to this exchange. Mark records the reaction in verses 32-33, “The scribe said to Him, ‘Right, Teacher; You have truly stated that He is One, and there is no one else besides Him; and to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as himself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.’ ” (Mark 12:32–33, NASB95)[14] Jesus’ reply shows us that He was pleased with this scribe’s response. Mark writes, “When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ ” (Mark 12:34a, NASB95)[15] Jesus’ reply shows us that He was after the scribe’s soul.
Jesus’ reply was a compliment. From the response of the scribe, Jesus saw that the man was capable of thinking for himself. He saw that the scribe understood that the Law was more than a system, that it was essentially spiritual. So, He complimented him, “The way you’re thinking, you’re not far from the kingdom of God.” Some people are far from the kingdom of God, some at the threshold. The scribe was very close.
Jesus’ reply was also a warning. Though he was close, he was decisively separated. It is possible to be within an inch of heaven yet go to hell!
Jesus’ point was positive; the man was near! How was he near? He realized that loving God and mankind “is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” (Mark 12:33b, NASB95)[16] This tells us much about his heart, for he speaks of the entire ceremonial system as not being as important as loving God. What he was saying was light-years beyond where many people are today who imagine that their good works will get them into heaven. The scribe was near!
The scribe was a thinking man. Jesus complimented this be telling him he had answered wisely. He was intellectually convinced that Jesus was right. In a world that is about as shallow as a birdbath, those, who enter the kingdom of God are those who are willing to pause and truly think about eternal things.
This scribe was near because he faced head-on the implications that love for God is the highest priority of all. Facing this head-on, this is a sobering reality, because natural man does not love God with all his heart, no matter how hard he tries. There has to be a radical change inside a person in order to do this. The scribe’s embracing the necessity of love placed him near heaven’s door.
He was also near because he was honest. He was a scribe and naturally sided with his fellow scribes and the Pharisees. But he did not let his natural allegiance keep him from acknowledging the truth. There is always hope for a person who will break ranks to keep his conscience. The scribe was nearer than most men.
He was also near because he was not a coward. He was willing to risk mocking to step up to the door of the kingdom of God. Lack of courage and a love of approval has been fatal to many souls. This man was near to the kingdom—so near!
This passage ends by telling us that no one would venture to ask Jesus anymore questions. They finally learned that they could not best this Man, His intellect and wisdom always saw right through their questions and His replies would leave them silenced and humiliated. If only they had believed in Him.
CONCLUSION:
Did the scribe in today’s passage make it into the kingdom of God? We do not know. The Scriptures are silent. If this scribe finally did enter the kingdom of God, it is because he submitted to the logic of his own words. Loving God is more important than the entire ceremonial system. Perhaps he attempted to love God with all his heart and failed, in failing he realized that he could never achieve the moral excellency of the Law and that he was a lost sinner. Finally seeing himself for what he was, he threw himself on the mercy of God, only to find salvation.
When a person sees and acknowledges the hideousness and the complexity of their sin, that is a great day. “Sir James Simpson, the discoverer of chloroform, used to say that the greatest find he ever made was learning that he was a sinner and that Jesus Christ was just the Savior he needed.”[17] Such a discovery will lead to throwing oneself on the mercy of God and receiving through Jesus Christ the free gift of faith, repentance, and salvation.
What are the lessons for us from this passage of Scripture? First, it is entirely possible to have grown up in the church, to have consistent, godly parents, and never have come to a saving knowledge of Christ. Second, it is also completely possible to have studied theology and have never been a true Christian. One can even know the Scriptures in the original language and know more than the preacher and be unregenerate. Third, it is possible to have heard the grace of Jesus Christ preached all your life and still be resting on your own goodness to make you acceptable to God. Fourth, it is possible to become gospel-hardened and so seal your damnation even within the church. It is possible to fool everyone, and the preacher preach your funeral and assure everyone that your soul is resting in heaven when it really is in hell. Fifth, it is possible to be within an inch of the Kingdom of God but never enter it.
Here is truth: convictions not acted on, die; truths not followed, fade; lingering can become a habit; and we can either go in or go farther away. Are you near the kingdom of God, but not in it. There are times when a single step can make the difference. Do you love the Lord our God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all you soul, and with all your strength? Do you love your neighbor as yourself? These are commands, not suggestions. But this can only happen when there is a radical change inside a person, that change is a work of the Holy Spirit who indwells us at the moment we repent of our sin and believe Jesus Christ died for our sins on our behalf and rose from the dead. Then the Spirit of God fills us with the love of God so that we can love God and our neighbor.
[1]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[2]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[3]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[4]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[5]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[6]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[7]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[8]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[9]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[10]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[11]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[12]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[13]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[14]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[15]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[16]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[17]Hughes, R. Kent, Preaching the Word; Mark, Jesus, Servant and Savior. Wheaton, IL : Crossway, 2015.