Word@Work 144 - Mark 12:28
Published: Fri, 06/13/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 12:28 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?" (NIV)
There is an extraordinary drawing power in the words of wise people. Jesus greatly exceeded human wisdom, and became a magnet for those who hated Him; yet they could not get Him out of their minds. His stunning responses to trick questions evoked admiration. Although it is not clear whether this Rabbi was genuine or cynical, he came with an assumption: that some commandments were more important than others. The assumption was, of course, wrong.
Every religious philosophy, outside of Christ, works on the basis that you can get better - if only you have enough information and moral muscle. In order for this delusion to be credible, there has to be a hierarchy of commandments - weighted towards the ones that are easier to keep. The concept that any broken commandment (however apparently insignificant) is an absolute barrier preventing any fellowship with a holy God, would make every religious system impossible. But it is the truth. That is why we need Jesus as our sin-substitute. Only in Christ is every commandment as important as the others, and every sin equally offensive to God ... but then, only in Christ is there a wonderfully effective remedy for such sin!
Our relativistic world likes to demonise the rarest antisocial behaviour and smilingly ignore common sins. The commanding voice of God, through the Scripture, seems stunningly silent as the church ignores its obligation to proclaim the truth. This is not just important for the personal salvation of our friends, but also to bring communities back to the covenant of God's grace. People who do that are called prophets: many of them, like John the Baptist, were silenced ... but that just proves that their message was doing its job. Isn't it about time that we spoke up for the truth?
Prayer: Father God. Help me to understand that there is no such idea as 'big and little sins'. Help me to re-examine my life and the way I talk about Your commandments, so that I will please You and that others may be released from their delusions about morality. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
There is an extraordinary drawing power in the words of wise people. Jesus greatly exceeded human wisdom, and became a magnet for those who hated Him; yet they could not get Him out of their minds. His stunning responses to trick questions evoked admiration. Although it is not clear whether this Rabbi was genuine or cynical, he came with an assumption: that some commandments were more important than others. The assumption was, of course, wrong.
Every religious philosophy, outside of Christ, works on the basis that you can get better - if only you have enough information and moral muscle. In order for this delusion to be credible, there has to be a hierarchy of commandments - weighted towards the ones that are easier to keep. The concept that any broken commandment (however apparently insignificant) is an absolute barrier preventing any fellowship with a holy God, would make every religious system impossible. But it is the truth. That is why we need Jesus as our sin-substitute. Only in Christ is every commandment as important as the others, and every sin equally offensive to God ... but then, only in Christ is there a wonderfully effective remedy for such sin!
Our relativistic world likes to demonise the rarest antisocial behaviour and smilingly ignore common sins. The commanding voice of God, through the Scripture, seems stunningly silent as the church ignores its obligation to proclaim the truth. This is not just important for the personal salvation of our friends, but also to bring communities back to the covenant of God's grace. People who do that are called prophets: many of them, like John the Baptist, were silenced ... but that just proves that their message was doing its job. Isn't it about time that we spoke up for the truth?
Prayer: Father God. Help me to understand that there is no such idea as 'big and little sins'. Help me to re-examine my life and the way I talk about Your commandments, so that I will please You and that others may be released from their delusions about morality. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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