Encounter #47:

“Love God & Love Your Neighbor”

Read: Mark 12:28-34

Now it was time for the Jewish Scribes to challenge Jesus. The Scribes were those who taught Jewish Law. Jesus previously answered the Sadducees, Pharisees and Herodians beautifully well. He had wisdom and understanding of the Old Testament Scriptures. Out of all the Jewish Laws which is the first and most fundamental? There are 613 laws. Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy 6:4: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord, our God, the Lord is One.” You are to love Him with all your heart (sincerely), soul (emotions), mind (intellect) and strength (intensity). We are to acknowlwdge God as the Self-Existent, Independent, Infinite, Eternal and Great I Am. There is only one God, Who has revealed Himself as three distinct and seperate persons: Father, Son and Holy Ghost. This is the first commandment.

The second commandment is to love our neighbors as ourselves. There are no great commandments than these (Lev. 19:18; James 2:8). The Scribe said that Jesus answered well. Jesus said the truth. Loving God and our neighbors is more important than all the rituals, ceremonies and outward religious practices that can be done. Jesus said the scribe was not far from the Kingdom of God. He was close to becoming a follower of Jesus and the Gospel. Did the Scribe follow Jesus? We are not told.

But how many people are close to God's Kingdom and they never enter it? They may have the knowledge, the morals, the “church”, the theology, but no relationship with Jesus. King Agrippa was “almost persuaded” by Paul to become a Christian (Acts 26:28). But he didn't. Let's love God & our neighbors and have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Dear Father, help me to love You with my whole being, and to love my neighbors. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Application: Tell God you love Him and show it through actions. Tell your neighbors that God loves them.

Encounter Jesus: Receive the love of God for your neighbors and family. He will give you the love you need. Love Him with all your mind, body, soul, heart & strength.