Gospel November 1

Mark 12:28-34 Proper 26

"Which commandment is the first of all?" (12:28b)

"This passage is referred to as a 'scholastic dialogue' by Bultmann and has parallels in Matthew (22:34-40) and Luke (10:25-29). While the same two commandments are identified as the most important in each of these gospels there are some quite remarkable differences. These are generally explained by the likely existence of a variety of oral traditions. It may also reflect the possibility that the issue was raised with Jesus on more than one occasion. As a travelling rabbi whose teaching drew crowds wherever he went it would not be surprising to find that the same question was raised many times in different settings. However we seek to explain the differences it is important to consider this text in its context - the gospel of Mark.

It is set in the midst of conflict and dialogue with representatives of the temple cult. Mark 12 commences with the parable of the tenants (1-12), deals with questions about taxes (13-17) and moves in response to a question about marriage and the resurrection (18-27). After this account comes discussion about the Messiah (35-37) and a denunciation of the scribes (38-40). In all this dialogue Mark suggests the crowd was on Jesus' side and they were "listening to him with delight" (37b).

So what is the issue here? Why is the question of the first and greatest commandment raised in this context?

Mark gives us a clue when he states that the scribe saw that Jesus had "answered well" the questions put to him. This question would seem to have been an honest enquiry of importance to the scribe. It is a question raised by all of us as we find ourselves with many choices or options and need to make decisions. The question raised is phrased differently according to each situation, but it boils down to the question "What is most important?"

The scribe was a student of the law. It was his task to interpret the written law. His skills were in reading and writing.
The Pharisees were about living the law. They wanted to understand the detail of the law so they could keep it, live righteously and receive the blessing of God.
The Sadducees were about the Temple and its traditions and practices. The temple was the focus of the life of Israel. Worship of God was central for these people, and God was worshipped at the Temple. It was the seat of their power, and the Sadducees were concerned to preserve Israel by preserving the temple and its practices. Some refer to this as the temple cult or cultus. It is the practice of religion; the things people do as part of their religious observance.

So we find Jesus and one of the scribes debating the issues - which is the first or greatest of the commandments. For the Pharisees there were 614 different commandments, and the Sadducees would have known them as well. Which one, asks this student of the law, is the most important.

Jesus was not to be confined by the limits placed on him by the scribe and offered two commandments instead of one. The first is based on a citation from the Torah (Deuteronomy 6:5). Love the one true God with all your heart, soul and strength. In this Jesus inserts "and with all your mind". Jesus continued to with a second command to love your neighbour as yourself. This is also from the Torah (Leviticus 19:18b).

The scribe responded positively to Jesus and repeated the commandments. Mark's gospel presents a slight variance from Jesus' words to his response: "Love God with all your heart, understanding and strength" (33 NIV).

I confess to being drawn to the idea of loving God with your mind and understanding. Our relationship of love to God is to be a thoughtful and considered response where we use all the faculties God has given as we follow him. Mark's rendition of this encounter indicates that Jesus wants us to use our brains as well!

This discussion about details of the law with people who were about protecting their way of religious life is a challenge that people of faith must face as well. S0 often we embrace one expression of Christian faith and worship and serve within that denomination or group. For me it is The Salvation Army. For others it may be Roman Catholicism, Orthodoxy, Anglicanism, Pentecostalism, or one of a variety of Christian traditions. Wherever our allegiance is placed we must remember that it is a way of responding to God.

The leaders of these groups, even as they are ordained or empowered by God, remain fallible human beings, and even in community flawed thinking can rule. Many thinking people are aware of the fallibility of their leaders and those in authority. That fallibility is matched by our own. As we live under authority we cannot cede total responsibility for our actions, present and future, to that authority. We are ultimately answerable to God, and our priority must always be to love God with all we have (the whole of our heart, soul, mind and strength) and to love our neighbours as ourselves. Love of the organization comes much further down the list of commandments.