November 4th, 2018 - Sunday Service - Mark 12:28-34 "The First Commandment"

Last Sunday the Lectionary brought us to that well-known story that is found in one form or another in all three Synoptic Gospels, the "Greatest Commandment".  We are called to love God with all that we are and likewise, we are called to love our neighbors equally to our own being... no small order.  It is difficult for us to love anyone as much as we love ourselves, and that doesn't even address the fact that far too many folks are just plain unlovable. (myself included at far too many points in my life)

But, no matter how terrible the soul is, we are called to love them none-the-less... this being a Christian can be hard at times.

At the end of the sermon, I addressed the comment by Jesus that the Scribe is not far from the Kingdom of God.  You'll have to listen to the video to see how I addressed this, but one angle I didn't explore was that 'literally' the Scribe was not far from the Kingdom of God.  He was, in fact, talking to the King face to face at that very moment...

Be a blessing to someone today!!!

In Christ alone,
Roy

Mark 12:28-34 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The First Commandment

28 One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30 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 strength.’ 31 The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; 33 and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself,’—this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question.