For several years now this has been my scripture of the year. Ever since I truly paid attention to that scripture, I cannot get it out of my mind. Nor do I want to. I want to focus on it and put it into practice everyday.
The siting in Mark is not the first time we read that scripture in the Bible. We read in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 Moses says, “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
In Mark 12:28-30 Jesus is being tested by the scribes who ask Him, “What commandment is the formost of all? Jesus answers by quoting scripture from Deuteronomy. …”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 STREGTH.’ Jesus adds ‘ The second is this, YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Why are these scriptures so meaningful to us today? In previous scripture in Deuteronomy:
- God Himself commanded Moses to tell this to Israel.
- Moses warns them that they should listen and be careful to do what God says.
- It is for our own good to listen to what God tells us in Deuteronomy.
However, when we hear it again in Matthew 22:36-39, Mark 12:28-30 and Luke 10:25-26, it comes straight out of Jesus’ mouth.
- Seems to me if Jesus said it again, we need to stand up and take notice and put it into practice.
Dear Father,
Thank you Father that You are the LORD God that we should listen to. Thank you Father that You are the only God we should serve. Father please help us learn to love you with all our heart, mind, soul and strength.
Thank you for your word that is living and active and sharper than a two-edged sword. Most of all thank you for Jesus Christ and the saving grace we have if we are truly in Him. In Jesus name, Amen
All content is Copyrighted by Shelia Holmes 2019
All scripture comes from New American Standard Bible used with permission.
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Shelia's Notes 