November 15
What matters most
Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?” Mark 12:28 (NKJV)
Several spectators, including a scribe, had witnessed the verbal volleys between Jesus and the religious establishment. In those times, scribes were men who dedicated their lives to the study of the scriptures. They meticulously pored over and scrutinized them. This particular scribe had heard enough of Jesus to know there was something special about Him, and so he honestly asks Him a critical question: “Which is the first commandment of all?”
In other words, the scribe was asking Jesus what matters most in life. Of all the commandments and regulations in the scriptures, he wanted to know which one was most important. Jesus was more than willing to answer:
“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.” Mark 12:30 (NKJV)
More than anything else, the most important commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength…to love Him completely. This is the source of everything when it comes to living the life God has for us. Yet Jesus doesn’t stop there, He’s quick to add something else:
And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31 (NKJV)
What matters most in life? Jesus clearly tells us. Love God and love others. If we devote ourselves to doing those two things, we’re going to experience life on a level that’s incomparable. We’ll be active in what we were created for…doing what we were divinely designed to do.
Make sure you’re majoring on the things that matter most in life. Love God, love others, and allow these two dynamics to dictate what you do with the life you’ve been given.
Think About It…
What does this passage reveal to me about God?
What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
What is my prayer for today?
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