Posts
timewithgod.blog-city.com — April 2007
Mark 12 Getting warmer
finding the real meaning of life
In verse 28, one of the teachers of the Law came to Jesus, and unlike the others who had come before him, I think that he exhibited sincerity when he asked, "Which of the commands is most important?" My commentary says that he was really asking for a concise statement of the chief aim of man's existence. The Son of God answered in effect, "God is to have the supreme place in man's life. No other love can be allowed to rival love for God ... We are to love God MORE than ourselves, and our neighbors AS ourselves." In our "me-first" world, that is certainly hard for many to swallow.
To his credit, the scribe agreed and said that "love to God and to one's neighbors were far more important than rituals. He realized that people could go through religious ceremonies and put on a public display of piety without inward, personal holiness. He acknowledged that God is concerned with what a man is inwardly as well as outwardly," my commentary said.
Jesus' answer to him in today's language would be, "You're getting warmer!"
This man who's life had revolved around ritual rather than relationship was getting it, even though he represented the hardcore legalists in his society. What a breakthrough!
My commentary summed it up: "True subjects of the kingdom don't try to deceive God, their fellow men or themselves with external religion. Realizing that God looks on the heart, they go to Him for cleansing from sin and for power to live in a manner pleasing to Him."
Father, I know that for so long I had been doing the same thing, and it was just a hollow shell of religion, and I resented it for requiring so much and give so little. Thank You for waking me up to what life with You is really all about. Continue to empower me through Your Holy Spirit to live out this life in a manner most pleasing to You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
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