A. Mark 12:28-34  – A question by a teacher of the law

v28  – Of all the commandments, which is the most important?

v34 – Jesus said to him, “You are not far away from the kingdom of God“

Reflection: Though this inquirer was a teacher of the the law, and probably a good man, something was lacking: To follow Jesus who came to fulfill the law.

Reflection: Be inside not just near.

B. Matthew 22:34-40 – A Question by the teacher of the Law

³⁴ Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. ³⁵ One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ³⁶ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” ^v37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

C.  Luke 10:25-37 – A Question by an expert of the law

²⁵ On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” ²⁶ “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” ²⁷ He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind ; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” ²⁸ “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” ²⁹ But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

³⁰ In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. ³¹ A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. ³² So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³ But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. ³⁴ He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. ³⁵ The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

³⁶ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

³⁷ The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Reflection: In the mind of this man, a neighbor meant a fellow Jew, and in v37 the expert of the law could not mention the good Samaritan by name, but rather says, ‘the one who had mercy on him’.

D. Mark 10:17-27 – A Question by a young rich man

¹⁷ As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” ¹⁸ “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. ¹⁹ You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.” ²⁰ “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” ²¹ Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” ²² At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. ²³ Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” ²⁴ The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

²⁶ The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”

²⁷ Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

Reflection: Jesus told him one thing he still lacked – To love God first before wealth (follow me first if you want to inherit eternal life), and to love the poor by being willing to share his wealth. He failed the test of self righteousness before Jesus.

Reflection from Matthew 23:25-26 – Jesus was implying that when man’s relationship with God is right first, then loving people becomes possible. i.e When the inside of the cup and dish is clean, the outside will be clean too.

What is to love God?

• 1 John 5:3 – In fact, this is love for God to keep his commands. And his commands are no burdensome.
• 1 John 3:23 – And this is his command: To believe in the name of his son, Jesus Christ and to love one another as he commanded us.
• John 14:15 – If you love me, keep my commandments.

When we obey or accept God’s gift of love, this happens:

We are made right in God’s sight by faith and we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Romans 5:1

What is Love?

1 John 3:16 – This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.