On the Same Wavelength
Opening Prayer
Gracious Heavenly Father, I pray for an open mind and receptive spirit as I read and ponder Your Word today.
Read MARK 12:28-34
[28] One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” [29] “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. [30] 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: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” [32] “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. [33] To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” [34] When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What did this man understand was pleasing to God?In this age of instant communications we get bombarded by many new ideas. Some people resist them all, unwilling to change their lifestyle. Others jump on every bandwagon, hoping for the thing that will finally transform their life. The trouble is that we can easily end up going around in circles! This questioner seems to be someone who genuinely wants to know what Jesus has to say (28). He is interested, but he wants to know more about the ideas that inform Jesus’ teaching. He has a clear idea of what is important to him (33), and he wants to see if Jesus shares those values.
Sometimes we think we have God “all sewn up” and fail to hear the new thing he is saying. Paul warns us against being “infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming” (Eph. 4:14). But it is possible to be so rigid that we do not move when God wants to lead us into something new (see Acts 10:9-16). If we really know what is important, it is easier to see which is which.
Apply
What is really important to you? How does your life reflect that? How are you living out these two great commandments?
Closing prayer
Lord, help me to keep my priorities clear and honoring to You. I want to share Your values in all things.
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