Today's Reading: Mark 12: 28-34
**For a simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please click this link: Subject Shifting Devotion.pdf.
Please click this link to read Mark 12: 28-34
Bible Study
The last two days we had the first and second part of Jesus' examination from the Pharisees and Herodians, then the Sadducees, and now a Scribe, one of the teachers of the law. Somewhat like three separate examinations by three groups of external examiners.
Today's passage is about whether Jesus understand the top No. 1 priority in God's law. Somewhat like a non-beliver asks you, "What do you think is the most important thing as a Christian?" What's your answer?
Jesus' answer of the Greatest Commandment gives at least four aspects:
1. Love God 100% and love our neighbours just as we care about ourselves.
2. Jesus' 'first commandment' is a version of the daily central Jewish prayer. It's being called the 'Shema' ('Shema' means 'listen'). Jesus' point is that he is not bringing a 'new religion' but a true fulfilment of the law and the prophets.
3. Loving God and loving our neighbours are more important than 'sacrifices'. Those Jews pay all their lives in dealing with 'sacrifices', but what Jesus wants to bring out is that when a crisis comes, loving God and one's neighbour matters; sacrifices don't.
4. A challenge to everybody: Just as N.T. Wright says, "When the crisis comes, what remains solid in your life and the life of your community? Wholehearted love of God and neighbour? Or the mad scramble of everyone trying to save their own skins?
Today you have the same examination paper on your table? What's your answer? How do you live out your answer?
Have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passage of scripture we have just read. Offer this time up to God as you listen to him, while listening to "Gabriel's Oboe"
Spiritual Journal
What I heard from Jesus today is: Examination Part 3 for Jesus!
Who dare to give an examination to Jesus? Well, you know it, those Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes! Who dare to make all kinds of detail challenges to the pastors and leaders, picking up small things, mistakes and misunderstanding? Those Christians who want to follow the footsteps of Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes? Don't do that! Look at the Kingdom view, bigger picture but starts with micro relationship, small loving steps each day. And, just as Jesus says, "Your are not far from the kingdom of God."
The key word for Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes is JUDGE! They like to find faults, to accuse, to attack, to bad mouth, to judge.
The key word for Jesus' Greatest Commandment is LOVE. That's why Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13,
"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal..."
Dear Lord Jesus,
Help us not to follow the footsteps of those Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes but to follow you to love God and love our neighbours with everything we've got. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Chinese praise song - 你是我的一切 You Are My All In All
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