Mark 12:28-37

The Greatest Commandment

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?”

29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 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: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

Whose Son Is the Messiah?

35 While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, “Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David? 36 David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared:

“‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”’

37 David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?”

The large crowd listened to him with delight.

 

 

v. 28-34

1.    Why is the most important commandment is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength”? Why do you think God highlights these 4 things (heart, soul, mind, and strength)?

2.      Why do you think “love your neighbours as yourself” is the most important commandment after the first one?

3.      Jesus says the man is “not far from the kingdom of God”. Why is he “not far”, and what does he still need in order to enter in?

 

v. 35-37

4.      What is the significance of Messiah’s title the "Son of David"? How does this challenge the people’s common understanding of the Messiah of that time?

5.      Why is it important for us to understand this today?

 

6.       What do you learn about God from this passage?