MARK 12:28-34

MARK 12:28-34

“One of the scribes came.” He seems to have been an honest man. He had been impressed by the sincerity of Jesus Christ and the clearness of His answer to the questions of others. He came inquiring, “Which is the first commandment of all?” He meant, of course, not first in order, but first in importance.

“Jesus answered … 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.” In these words, quoted from Deuteronomy 6:4, 5, our Lord epitomized all the commandments that deal specifically with man’s duty toward God. He who loves God supremely will not willingly dishonor Him in anything. “The second … Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” This commandment was cited from Leviticus 19:18. It epitomizes all the precepts that have to do with man’s duty toward other men. He who loves his neighbor will not desire to wrong him in any particular.

“Master, Thou hast said the truth.” The scribe was deeply impressed, and at once declared his sincere appreciation of the answer the Lord Jesus had given. He had affirmed the unity of the Godhead. All Scripture-taught Jews held this as a cardinal truth. He went on, “To love Him … and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.” There was real spiritual discernment manifested by this scribe. Nothing in the sacrificial ritual of the law was of any value in the sight of God if love were lacking. To love Him and to love one’s neighbor wholeheartedly was that which pleased God above all else.

“Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.” Nevertheless, with all his appreciation of the spirituality of the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ, this scribe was not yet in the kingdom. He was, as it were, just outside the door. To step in would mean to receive Christ for himself—to trust Him as Saviour and own Him as Lord.