Day 21 – Friday 03-12
Mark 12:28-34
28 One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The first is, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30 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.’ 31 The second is this, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that “he is one, and besides him there is no other’; 33 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 oneself,’—this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question.
This theme is repeated throughout the scriptures; love God and love your neighbor as yourself. Our God is a God of love; all else offends Him. Jesus ministry was one of love also. He healed out of love, he forgave sins out of love, He even raised the dead out of love.
Lord God, teach us to love as Jesus has instructed. Let our hearts be stirred by Your Word and Your enormous Love, and hear our prayers that we might learn to please you…