Exploring the Scripture
The Gospel writer of Mark shared the good news of God’s coming reign through story: a fast-paced account of Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection. God’s new revelation in and through Jesus is communicated through events and characters. The Book of Mark is best understood as a whole, providing a balanced hearing of Mark’s emphasis on Jesus’ healing power and suffering servanthood.
Although today’s text appears as part of a lively series of exchanges in the temple, it is complete
alone and can be shared effectively without extensive background information. It is important to remember the emphasis on and culture of community (family, tribe, religion) in first-century Judaism and Christianity, as well as the role and significance of the Jewish temple. To love your neighbor as yourself carries a communal connotation connected with kinship, love, and belonging. In the first century setting it more accurately means love outsiders as you do your family or tribe.
The focus of this text is on Jesus’ conflict with the political, social, and religious authorities of the day. Writing shortly after the temple was destroyed, the Gospel writer was dealing with questions of identity: What does it mean to be a good Jew? What is at the core of our identity as a chosen people of God?
After a series of questions from Pharisees, Herodians, and Sadducees, intended to test and trap Jesus (Mark 12:13–27), a sympathetic friendly scribe emerges in the plot. The scribe seems sincere in his question; it speaks to the heart of both Judaism and Christianity. He asked, “Which commandment is the first of all?” (v. 28).
The scribe agreed with Jesus’ reply (vv. 29– 31) and we begin to see the scribe as a follower of Jesus. However, Jesus’ response takes us deeper, “You are not far from the kingdom of God” (v. 34). His words revealed something missing in the scribe’s commitment. Reaching consensus on key theological points and “correct” answers is not enough. It is how we live, act, and relate to others that matters most. Love of God and love of neighbor are acts, not rules. It is a way of being, not a way of thinking.
The exchange in this scene is important for several reasons. It authoritatively places Jesus in the prophetic tradition of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Amos. It claims the heart of Judaism and pulls it forward into the heart of Christianity—love one God (monotheism) and love your neighbor. It significantly argues the act of love is far more significant than any rule of ritual (“burnt offerings and sacrifices” [v. 33]). It clearly communicates that following Jesus is about our whole lives: how we live, what we do, and the depth of our love. Are we willing to love to the point of suffering, even death? This question is accented by the impending suffering of Jesus on the cross which begins in chapter 14.
Project Zion Podcast
Hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith consider how this week's scripture connects to our lives today.
Central Ideas
- The center of our identity as followers of Christ is love for God and neighbor.
- Choosing to follow Jesus is a choice we make with our whole lives; to truly follow Jesus is to truly live in the way of Jesus and may be costly.
Questions to Consider
- In what ways do we allow ritual to take the place of love, or worship become about a church building instead of our whole lives?
- How does love for God and neighbor—the center of our identity—affect congregation- al life?
- How are we like the scribe? What is missing in our commitment to following Jesus?
- How has following Jesus with your whole life been “costly”?