WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.800 We'll be starting in verse 28 and reading through 34. 00:00:10.240 --> 00:00:12.859 Mark chapter 12, verse 28. 00:00:13.580 --> 00:00:17.620 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, 00:00:18.039 --> 00:00:21.019 and seeing that he had answered them well, asked him, 00:00:21.519 --> 00:00:24.100 Which commandment is the most important of all? 00:00:24.940 --> 00:00:27.580 Jesus answered, The most important is, 00:00:27.579 --> 00:00:31.839 Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 00:00:32.399 --> 00:00:37.099 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul 00:00:37.099 --> 00:00:40.239 and with all your mind and with all your strength. 00:00:40.619 --> 00:00:44.219 The second is this, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. 00:00:44.820 --> 00:00:47.179 There is no other commandment greater than these. 00:00:47.719 --> 00:00:50.439 And the scribes said to him, You are right, teacher. 00:00:50.879 --> 00:00:55.239 You have truly said that he is one and there is no other besides him. 00:00:55.240 --> 00:00:59.219 And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding 00:00:59.219 --> 00:01:03.380 and with all the strength and to love one's neighbor as oneself 00:01:03.380 --> 00:01:07.960 is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. 00:01:08.879 --> 00:01:11.820 And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, 00:01:12.260 --> 00:01:14.240 You are not far from the kingdom of God. 00:01:14.780 --> 00:01:18.760 And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions. 00:01:19.240 --> 00:01:20.340 The word of the Lord. 00:01:20.340 --> 00:01:21.719 Thank you to God. 00:01:27.060 --> 00:01:32.359 So we finished our first sermon series with 1 Peter last week. 00:01:32.540 --> 00:01:36.800 And we're going to be starting just a two-week brief series on our mission statement, 00:01:36.900 --> 00:01:40.719 which is to love God, love one another, and share the love of Christ with others. 00:01:41.700 --> 00:01:47.080 And after that, we'll launch into our public portion of our life as a church 00:01:47.080 --> 00:01:49.340 and go through the Gospel of John. 00:01:49.340 --> 00:01:55.200 So this passage from Mark 12, 28 to 34 is about the greatest commandment, 00:01:55.320 --> 00:01:56.920 which many of us are familiar with. 00:01:57.560 --> 00:02:03.340 And if you have gone through school, you know the importance of summarizing 00:02:03.939 --> 00:02:07.540 and being able to tell someone this is what this book is all about. 00:02:07.820 --> 00:02:11.000 So maybe some of you guys use spark notes as you are studying 00:02:11.000 --> 00:02:15.099 or you know how to get to the crux of the matter. 00:02:15.300 --> 00:02:17.439 That's when you are able to summarize something. 00:02:17.439 --> 00:02:25.280 So in the same way, the scribes and the Pharisees and the legal scholars of the Bible back in Jesus' day 00:02:25.280 --> 00:02:26.639 often ask this question. 00:02:27.120 --> 00:02:30.759 So what is Judaism all about? 00:02:30.900 --> 00:02:32.340 What is the Bible all about? 00:02:32.340 --> 00:02:38.460 And Jesus' answer here gives us what Christianity is all about. 00:02:38.560 --> 00:02:40.699 So what is Christian ethics all about? 00:02:40.920 --> 00:02:42.240 What does it mean to be a Christian? 00:02:42.819 --> 00:02:45.740 And what is the greatest commandment in all of the Bible? 00:02:46.140 --> 00:02:48.599 And Jesus answers that question for us. 00:02:48.599 --> 00:02:56.400 And for it to be the greatest commandment doesn't just mean that it's the first among all the commandments, 00:02:56.500 --> 00:02:58.539 that it's the most important one out of all the commandments. 00:02:58.919 --> 00:03:06.019 Rather, it means even more that it's the most important, meaning it summarizes, it encapsulates all of the law. 00:03:06.020 --> 00:03:09.760 So you see this in Matthew 22, 40, where Jesus says, 00:03:10.320 --> 00:03:13.460 All the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments. 00:03:13.880 --> 00:03:17.560 So all of the law and the prophets, that's shorthand for all of Scripture. 00:03:17.879 --> 00:03:20.719 All of Scripture hang on these two commandments. 00:03:21.060 --> 00:03:22.460 A pair of commandments united into one. 00:03:22.560 --> 00:03:24.040 And that's this passage right here. 00:03:24.820 --> 00:03:31.500 So the main idea of this passage is that the love of Christ enables our love for God and neighbor. 00:03:31.680 --> 00:03:33.560 That's what I'm going to talk to you about this morning. 00:03:33.560 --> 00:03:35.340 And I'll unpack them in three points. 00:03:35.439 --> 00:03:37.539 And the first is going to be the love for God. 00:03:38.099 --> 00:03:40.659 And the second will be the love for our neighbors. 00:03:41.099 --> 00:03:43.420 And the last, it will be the love of Christ. 00:03:43.979 --> 00:03:45.159 What does it mean to love God? 00:03:45.199 --> 00:03:46.099 What does it mean to love our neighbors? 00:03:46.259 --> 00:03:48.860 And what is the love of Christ that God has shown us? 00:03:49.840 --> 00:03:53.980 So if you look first with me to verses 29 to 30, you can follow along. 00:03:54.460 --> 00:03:54.860 It says, 00:03:56.439 --> 00:03:57.480 Hear, O Israel. 00:03:57.580 --> 00:03:58.980 Jesus answered the most important is, 00:03:59.199 --> 00:04:03.140 Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 00:04:03.840 --> 00:04:08.960 Now, that's a little bit odd because a scribe just asked Jesus, 00:04:09.099 --> 00:04:10.439 What is the greatest commandment? 00:04:10.520 --> 00:04:13.080 But Jesus doesn't give a commandment right off the bat. 00:04:13.259 --> 00:04:15.280 Instead, he gives a great doctrine. 00:04:15.560 --> 00:04:15.680 Right? 00:04:15.780 --> 00:04:16.199 He says, 00:04:16.600 --> 00:04:19.620 Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 00:04:19.899 --> 00:04:20.120 Right? 00:04:20.480 --> 00:04:21.699 He starts with that. 00:04:21.699 --> 00:04:25.519 And he's taking that passage from Deuteronomy 6, 5 to 6, 00:04:25.620 --> 00:04:30.100 which is really the most important prayer that the Jews pray twice a day in their lives. 00:04:30.100 --> 00:04:37.160 And the reason why he gives this preface to the commandment is that the oneness of God, 00:04:37.260 --> 00:04:38.980 the fact that there's only one God, 00:04:39.100 --> 00:04:42.340 drowns, it undergirds the command that he's about to give. 00:04:42.740 --> 00:04:43.200 Because he's saying, 00:04:43.300 --> 00:04:45.180 Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 00:04:45.280 --> 00:04:46.180 That's not a commandment. 00:04:46.240 --> 00:04:47.540 That's the most important doctrine. 00:04:47.820 --> 00:04:48.939 But without that doctrine, 00:04:49.060 --> 00:04:52.240 that this commandment to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, 00:04:52.240 --> 00:04:54.680 understanding and strength wouldn't make sense. 00:04:54.900 --> 00:04:55.000 Right? 00:04:55.420 --> 00:04:57.579 Because the admission of many gods, 00:04:57.639 --> 00:04:59.100 if there were many gods in the world, 00:04:59.319 --> 00:05:02.040 then you would have to have divided allegiances. 00:05:02.460 --> 00:05:04.060 You would have to have divided loyalties. 00:05:04.460 --> 00:05:07.540 You'd have to serve this God one day and another God in the evening. 00:05:07.740 --> 00:05:10.019 You can't have a singular devotion. 00:05:10.500 --> 00:05:12.439 But because there's only one God, 00:05:13.000 --> 00:05:14.879 Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 00:05:15.040 --> 00:05:17.560 We have to, we are demanded of us. 00:05:17.660 --> 00:05:21.660 It's exclusive allegiance, exclusive loyalty to God. 00:05:21.660 --> 00:05:23.020 He alone is God. 00:05:23.100 --> 00:05:23.500 That's what he's, 00:05:23.540 --> 00:05:26.380 that's why Jesus gives that doctrine first, 00:05:26.540 --> 00:05:28.000 before he gives the commandment. 00:05:29.200 --> 00:05:30.780 So, if you keep following along, 00:05:30.880 --> 00:05:33.000 this is not just that this Lord is one, 00:05:33.080 --> 00:05:35.320 that this Lord is God and that there's only one God. 00:05:35.560 --> 00:05:38.460 It's, it also says that this Lord is our God. 00:05:38.680 --> 00:05:38.760 Right? 00:05:38.820 --> 00:05:41.640 It says, Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God. 00:05:42.320 --> 00:05:42.560 Right? 00:05:42.780 --> 00:05:47.879 And the Lord, the word comes from the Hebrew proper name for God. 00:05:48.040 --> 00:05:48.220 Right? 00:05:48.260 --> 00:05:50.340 So it's actually kind of the name of God. 00:05:50.339 --> 00:05:52.279 It's not just saying that he is our Lord, 00:05:52.419 --> 00:05:53.319 as in kind of a master. 00:05:53.619 --> 00:05:55.479 But it's referring to the proper name, 00:05:55.619 --> 00:05:59.399 the revelation of God's name to Moses and Israel in the Old Testament, 00:06:00.179 --> 00:06:00.659 in Exodus. 00:06:01.159 --> 00:06:04.699 So here, what, what this passage is telling us is very special, 00:06:04.779 --> 00:06:06.239 because it's saying that this God, 00:06:06.439 --> 00:06:08.359 the one God that rules over the universe, 00:06:08.799 --> 00:06:11.339 is not just a God, a distant God, 00:06:11.359 --> 00:06:12.639 but he is our God. 00:06:13.039 --> 00:06:15.699 He is the God that revealed himself in our history. 00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:18.519 He is the God that redeemed us from slavery. 00:06:18.519 --> 00:06:21.079 He is the God that saves us not from sin. 00:06:21.419 --> 00:06:24.579 This God, one God, is our God. 00:06:25.979 --> 00:06:29.000 And then he gives a command. 00:06:29.240 --> 00:06:30.379 If you look with me at verse 30. 00:06:32.039 --> 00:06:35.319 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, 00:06:35.779 --> 00:06:37.279 and with all your soul, 00:06:38.000 --> 00:06:39.339 and with all your mind, 00:06:39.759 --> 00:06:41.919 and with all your strength. 00:06:42.459 --> 00:06:42.539 Right? 00:06:42.540 --> 00:06:45.360 This is the greatest commandment. 00:06:45.700 --> 00:06:50.200 And the greatest commandment is really a summary of the first five commandments, 00:06:50.300 --> 00:06:52.319 first five of the great, the ten commandments. 00:06:52.939 --> 00:06:55.580 And you see this throughout the book of Deuteronomy. 00:06:55.820 --> 00:06:58.900 Deuteronomy, the book where this command originally came from, 00:06:58.960 --> 00:07:00.060 that Jesus is quoting from, 00:07:00.520 --> 00:07:02.720 over and over again it teaches us, 00:07:02.939 --> 00:07:04.360 especially the first two commandments, 00:07:04.560 --> 00:07:05.340 not to have, 00:07:05.339 --> 00:07:07.099 not to have any idols, 00:07:07.219 --> 00:07:09.279 not to worship anything other than God himself, 00:07:09.479 --> 00:07:11.500 and not to make an image of anything other than, 00:07:11.759 --> 00:07:13.299 other than God. 00:07:13.319 --> 00:07:14.579 Not to make an image of anything really, 00:07:14.639 --> 00:07:15.539 just to worship God. 00:07:16.119 --> 00:07:18.799 And the first five commandments really all have to, 00:07:19.019 --> 00:07:19.699 in some way, 00:07:19.759 --> 00:07:21.899 to do with this exclusive allegiance to God. 00:07:22.219 --> 00:07:23.439 Because the first commandment, right, 00:07:23.539 --> 00:07:25.379 is you shall have no other gods before me. 00:07:25.639 --> 00:07:25.739 Right? 00:07:25.779 --> 00:07:26.319 Second commandment, 00:07:26.359 --> 00:07:27.259 you shall have no idols. 00:07:27.719 --> 00:07:27.859 Right? 00:07:27.859 --> 00:07:29.059 And the third commandment, 00:07:29.159 --> 00:07:29.319 right, 00:07:29.339 --> 00:07:30.159 it tells us, 00:07:30.239 --> 00:07:31.939 not just to, 00:07:32.039 --> 00:07:33.459 not make anything in the image of him, 00:07:33.459 --> 00:07:36.079 but also not to take anything in vain, 00:07:36.199 --> 00:07:37.199 his name in vain. 00:07:37.639 --> 00:07:37.819 Right? 00:07:38.120 --> 00:07:39.139 And the fourth commandment says, 00:07:39.419 --> 00:07:41.319 tells us to respect the Sabbath of God, 00:07:41.379 --> 00:07:42.739 and the fifth commandment tells us 00:07:42.739 --> 00:07:44.180 to respect our parents, 00:07:44.239 --> 00:07:45.560 who are representatives of God. 00:07:45.639 --> 00:07:45.759 Right? 00:07:45.839 --> 00:07:45.979 So, 00:07:46.359 --> 00:07:46.740 in all, 00:07:46.819 --> 00:07:47.299 in all, 00:07:47.519 --> 00:07:48.919 all of those five commandments, 00:07:49.240 --> 00:07:50.979 connect to this great commandment, 00:07:51.120 --> 00:07:52.399 to love the Lord our God, 00:07:52.439 --> 00:07:53.219 with all our heart, 00:07:53.419 --> 00:07:53.759 soul, 00:07:54.179 --> 00:07:54.439 mind, 00:07:54.479 --> 00:07:54.939 and strength. 00:07:54.939 --> 00:07:56.259 Because they are all in ways, 00:07:56.379 --> 00:07:57.879 that we're supposed to honor God. 00:07:58.060 --> 00:07:58.159 Right? 00:07:58.919 --> 00:07:59.339 So, 00:07:59.419 --> 00:08:00.019 if that's what we're, 00:08:00.120 --> 00:08:01.060 what's commanded of us, 00:08:01.139 --> 00:08:03.139 that's what the greatest commandment is, 00:08:03.459 --> 00:08:04.439 then what, 00:08:05.000 --> 00:08:06.379 what would it look like for us 00:08:06.379 --> 00:08:08.120 to transgress the greatest commandment? 00:08:08.259 --> 00:08:09.500 What would it look like for us 00:08:09.500 --> 00:08:10.719 to be idolatrous? 00:08:11.279 --> 00:08:11.379 Right? 00:08:11.879 --> 00:08:13.779 And the Bible teaches us about idolatry 00:08:13.779 --> 00:08:15.419 in Colossians chapter 3, 5. 00:08:15.519 --> 00:08:15.859 It says, 00:08:16.459 --> 00:08:17.139 put to death, 00:08:17.379 --> 00:08:17.680 therefore, 00:08:18.099 --> 00:08:19.299 what is earthly in you, 00:08:19.679 --> 00:08:20.620 sexual immorality, 00:08:20.939 --> 00:08:21.439 impurity, 00:08:21.799 --> 00:08:22.179 passion, 00:08:22.719 --> 00:08:23.500 evil desire, 00:08:23.759 --> 00:08:24.679 and covetousness, 00:08:25.039 --> 00:08:26.240 which is idolatry. 00:08:26.500 --> 00:08:26.659 Right? 00:08:27.679 --> 00:08:29.479 That's a pretty broad, 00:08:29.479 --> 00:08:29.979 uh, 00:08:30.259 --> 00:08:30.599 uh, 00:08:30.599 --> 00:08:31.339 painting of, 00:08:31.379 --> 00:08:32.259 of idolatry. 00:08:32.259 --> 00:08:34.620 Because if covetousness is idolatry, 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:36.279 then anything we covet, 00:08:36.439 --> 00:08:38.700 anything we want inordinately, 00:08:38.819 --> 00:08:40.679 anything we want more than we should, 00:08:41.179 --> 00:08:44.439 anything in our lives that competes with our affection for God, 00:08:44.519 --> 00:08:45.340 for our creator, 00:08:45.740 --> 00:08:46.159 is, 00:08:46.240 --> 00:08:46.919 in effect, 00:08:47.179 --> 00:08:47.639 an idol. 00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:49.240 Anything, 00:08:49.519 --> 00:08:52.379 any creative thing that competes with our affection for the creator, 00:08:52.720 --> 00:08:53.439 is an idol. 00:08:54.039 --> 00:08:55.620 And what are the idols in our lives? 00:08:55.620 --> 00:08:55.940 And, 00:08:55.940 --> 00:08:56.240 and, 00:08:56.240 --> 00:08:56.500 and I, 00:08:56.600 --> 00:08:58.320 I can go through a whole litany of, 00:08:58.320 --> 00:08:58.820 of things, 00:08:58.940 --> 00:08:59.139 but, 00:08:59.139 --> 00:09:00.440 most frequently, 00:09:00.539 --> 00:09:02.700 the greatest idol in our lives is ourselves. 00:09:03.980 --> 00:09:04.659 It's that, 00:09:04.820 --> 00:09:06.899 we lash out in anger when our, 00:09:07.060 --> 00:09:10.159 when our prideful sense of entitlement is violated by other people. 00:09:10.440 --> 00:09:10.700 Right? 00:09:11.039 --> 00:09:11.539 We, 00:09:11.740 --> 00:09:11.960 uh, 00:09:11.960 --> 00:09:15.980 indulge in illicit and or harmful pleasures in our lives, 00:09:15.980 --> 00:09:22.600 and live idly because we wrongly believe that our lives and our bodies are ours to do whatever we want with. 00:09:23.120 --> 00:09:23.480 Right? 00:09:23.480 --> 00:09:23.879 When really, 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:25.060 they belong to our creator, 00:09:25.180 --> 00:09:25.560 our God. 00:09:26.940 --> 00:09:28.960 We covet other people's clothes, 00:09:29.120 --> 00:09:29.680 cars, 00:09:30.340 --> 00:09:30.720 houses, 00:09:31.019 --> 00:09:34.399 and lovers because we doubt God's sovereign goodness in our lives. 00:09:34.620 --> 00:09:38.240 And we think that what that person has is better for us, 00:09:38.300 --> 00:09:40.500 that we know better than God does. 00:09:40.980 --> 00:09:41.659 These are all, 00:09:41.740 --> 00:09:42.779 at the root of all of these, 00:09:42.779 --> 00:09:44.339 is an idolatry of the self, 00:09:44.339 --> 00:09:48.039 where we place ourselves in the place where God only should be. 00:09:49.179 --> 00:09:49.919 But the Lord, 00:09:50.039 --> 00:09:50.759 our God, 00:09:50.879 --> 00:09:52.679 the Lord is one. 00:09:53.299 --> 00:09:54.720 And we are not that God. 00:09:55.000 --> 00:09:55.059 Right? 00:09:56.279 --> 00:09:58.159 And so what does it look like then? 00:09:58.220 --> 00:09:58.860 So if that's not, 00:09:59.019 --> 00:10:01.980 that's what it looks like to transgress the greatest commandment, 00:10:02.139 --> 00:10:05.059 what does it look like to love God with all our heart, 00:10:05.139 --> 00:10:05.240 soul, 00:10:05.299 --> 00:10:05.399 mind, 00:10:05.439 --> 00:10:05.740 and strength? 00:10:06.199 --> 00:10:06.939 And verse tells, 00:10:07.079 --> 00:10:07.899 30 tells us, 00:10:08.419 --> 00:10:10.419 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, 00:10:10.779 --> 00:10:12.019 and with all your soul, 00:10:12.120 --> 00:10:12.679 all your mind, 00:10:12.679 --> 00:10:13.620 and all your strength. 00:10:14.120 --> 00:10:16.459 And we know what it means to love our family, 00:10:16.719 --> 00:10:17.219 and love our, 00:10:17.399 --> 00:10:17.939 you know, 00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:18.339 friends, 00:10:18.419 --> 00:10:18.959 and things like that. 00:10:18.959 --> 00:10:20.799 But what does it mean to love God? 00:10:20.939 --> 00:10:21.099 Right? 00:10:21.139 --> 00:10:22.259 Because He's our superior. 00:10:22.419 --> 00:10:23.139 He's our creator. 00:10:23.319 --> 00:10:25.059 He's the ruler of the universe. 00:10:25.359 --> 00:10:26.279 What does it look like? 00:10:26.899 --> 00:10:28.299 1 John chapter 5, 00:10:28.359 --> 00:10:29.179 2 to 3 tells us. 00:10:29.239 --> 00:10:29.519 He says, 00:10:29.779 --> 00:10:30.079 it says, 00:10:30.139 --> 00:10:33.559 by this we know that we love the children of God. 00:10:33.779 --> 00:10:36.199 We love God and obey His commandments. 00:10:36.719 --> 00:10:39.240 For this is the love of God, 00:10:39.859 --> 00:10:42.379 that we keep His commandments. 00:10:42.379 --> 00:10:45.480 What does it mean to love God? 00:10:45.559 --> 00:10:47.700 We keep His commandments. 00:10:48.240 --> 00:10:52.240 And that's why I've heard so many people tell me that they love God, 00:10:52.340 --> 00:10:57.840 and yet they're living a life that is diametrically opposed to what it means to obey God. 00:10:58.259 --> 00:10:58.399 Right? 00:10:58.759 --> 00:11:00.740 And so if people claim to love God, 00:11:00.819 --> 00:11:01.079 yet they, 00:11:01.220 --> 00:11:02.340 so if you think about this, 00:11:02.399 --> 00:11:03.740 let's say there's a married man, 00:11:03.860 --> 00:11:05.959 and he claims to love his wife, 00:11:06.279 --> 00:11:08.579 but yet he spends most of his life with his mistress. 00:11:09.519 --> 00:11:11.620 No one would believe him if he came and told you, 00:11:11.679 --> 00:11:11.799 like, 00:11:11.860 --> 00:11:11.959 oh, 00:11:12.000 --> 00:11:12.860 I love my wife. 00:11:13.059 --> 00:11:13.279 Right? 00:11:13.620 --> 00:11:13.819 I mean, 00:11:13.819 --> 00:11:15.720 his actions betray the truth. 00:11:16.220 --> 00:11:16.379 Right? 00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:18.500 That he does not love his wife. 00:11:18.500 --> 00:11:19.379 In the same way, 00:11:19.460 --> 00:11:21.840 if we spend our lives living for ourselves, 00:11:22.179 --> 00:11:25.139 if we spend our lives living for the idols in the world, 00:11:25.460 --> 00:11:30.240 then how can we rightly say that we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength? 00:11:30.960 --> 00:11:32.379 God will not be fooled. 00:11:32.940 --> 00:11:35.620 He says we cannot love God without obeying Him. 00:11:36.039 --> 00:11:37.740 Loving God involves, 00:11:37.740 --> 00:11:39.680 it entails obeying God. 00:11:40.820 --> 00:11:41.259 Now, 00:11:41.560 --> 00:11:46.419 it would be a mistake at this point to say that loving God only means obeying God. 00:11:46.639 --> 00:11:46.799 Right? 00:11:47.120 --> 00:11:48.080 Because if that's the case, 00:11:48.120 --> 00:11:50.659 he would have simply told us the greatest commandment is to obey God. 00:11:50.759 --> 00:11:51.060 He doesn't, 00:11:51.180 --> 00:11:53.600 but the greatest commandment is not to just obey God. 00:11:53.639 --> 00:11:54.899 It's to love God. 00:11:55.060 --> 00:11:55.240 Right? 00:11:56.080 --> 00:11:57.779 There's this obedience aspect, 00:11:57.779 --> 00:12:00.019 but there's also this affective, 00:12:00.180 --> 00:12:03.519 affection aspect of the greatest commandment. 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:06.460 And love includes both concrete action, 00:12:06.460 --> 00:12:07.259 concrete action, 00:12:07.340 --> 00:12:08.480 and affectionate feeling. 00:12:09.420 --> 00:12:12.340 He demands not only our compliance to His laws, 00:12:12.480 --> 00:12:15.400 but He also demands to be loved by us. 00:12:16.280 --> 00:12:18.700 And the love to God is the greatest commandment, 00:12:18.740 --> 00:12:19.840 because God is love, 00:12:19.879 --> 00:12:21.400 as it tells us in 1 John 4, 8. 00:12:21.600 --> 00:12:23.340 And man is created in God's image. 00:12:23.440 --> 00:12:24.759 So when we love God, 00:12:24.940 --> 00:12:25.900 when we love one another, 00:12:25.980 --> 00:12:27.639 we're most like our creator. 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:30.480 We're truest to the way we're supposed to live, 00:12:30.600 --> 00:12:32.200 because that's how God designed us. 00:12:32.379 --> 00:12:33.720 We're created in His image, 00:12:33.940 --> 00:12:34.860 and God is love. 00:12:34.860 --> 00:12:35.139 Right? 00:12:35.139 --> 00:12:35.220 Right? 00:12:37.460 --> 00:12:38.240 A Christian, 00:12:39.659 --> 00:12:39.980 I guess, 00:12:40.179 --> 00:12:40.919 a theologian, 00:12:41.039 --> 00:12:41.559 Augustine, 00:12:41.699 --> 00:12:42.799 from our early church father, 00:12:42.879 --> 00:12:44.819 wrote this in his confessions. 00:12:45.439 --> 00:12:47.159 He wrote that all things in the world 00:12:47.159 --> 00:12:50.000 move to their proper station by their weight. 00:12:50.319 --> 00:12:51.080 He calls it weight. 00:12:52.100 --> 00:12:54.639 So he talks about how fire or smoke, 00:12:54.819 --> 00:12:56.740 it follows its weight upward, 00:12:56.879 --> 00:12:59.000 because its weight is light, 00:12:59.220 --> 00:13:01.519 and a stone follows its weight downward. 00:13:01.519 --> 00:13:03.559 I mean, he obviously hadn't discovered, 00:13:03.740 --> 00:13:04.340 you know, 00:13:04.379 --> 00:13:04.799 density, 00:13:05.019 --> 00:13:07.079 or like what makes things sink, 00:13:07.139 --> 00:13:07.799 or what makes things, 00:13:08.059 --> 00:13:08.360 you know, 00:13:08.399 --> 00:13:08.699 float. 00:13:09.100 --> 00:13:11.819 But he's describing a phenomenon in nature, 00:13:12.059 --> 00:13:13.840 and he says that they all follow their weight. 00:13:13.899 --> 00:13:15.639 And he says this about humans. 00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:17.419 What is our weight? 00:13:17.480 --> 00:13:17.740 He says, 00:13:17.740 --> 00:13:20.940 things which are not in their intended position are restless. 00:13:21.820 --> 00:13:23.940 Once they are in their ordered position, 00:13:24.159 --> 00:13:25.440 they are at rest. 00:13:26.139 --> 00:13:28.639 My weight is my love. 00:13:29.659 --> 00:13:31.060 Wherever I am carried, 00:13:31.259 --> 00:13:32.860 my love is carrying me. 00:13:32.860 --> 00:13:37.700 And the more I reflect on this truth, 00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:39.740 and the more I live and examine my own life, 00:13:39.779 --> 00:13:40.720 I learn that this is true. 00:13:41.399 --> 00:13:43.100 I never do what I don't want to do. 00:13:43.259 --> 00:13:44.820 I do the things that I love. 00:13:45.200 --> 00:13:45.940 If I sin, 00:13:46.019 --> 00:13:47.240 it's because I love that sin. 00:13:47.340 --> 00:13:47.879 If I love, 00:13:48.039 --> 00:13:50.000 if I care for somebody well, 00:13:50.019 --> 00:13:51.259 it's because I love that person. 00:13:51.440 --> 00:13:54.000 We do the things that we love to do, 00:13:54.379 --> 00:13:54.580 right? 00:13:55.320 --> 00:13:56.360 And so Augustine tells us, 00:13:56.379 --> 00:13:58.500 it's what we love that will carry us. 00:13:58.500 --> 00:14:01.060 And in order for our lives to be rightly ordered, 00:14:01.059 --> 00:14:01.839 our love, 00:14:01.959 --> 00:14:03.299 our weight has to be God, 00:14:03.419 --> 00:14:03.619 right? 00:14:04.239 --> 00:14:07.719 He understood that the love for God is going to, 00:14:08.039 --> 00:14:10.039 is what's going to facilitate our obedience. 00:14:10.319 --> 00:14:13.500 You can't have obedience apart from our love for him. 00:14:14.879 --> 00:14:18.839 So the implications of this are staggering 00:14:18.839 --> 00:14:22.500 because one might conform to certain biblical standards outwardly, 00:14:22.699 --> 00:14:22.919 right? 00:14:23.039 --> 00:14:25.179 We might obey God outwardly. 00:14:25.179 --> 00:14:28.639 And some of us may even have a natural temperament 00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:31.939 that's more amenable to the biblical commands. 00:14:32.159 --> 00:14:33.919 Maybe some of us are just naturally kind. 00:14:34.159 --> 00:14:34.259 We, 00:14:34.259 --> 00:14:35.720 we hate offending people. 00:14:35.899 --> 00:14:37.860 So we're just naturally nice to people, 00:14:37.960 --> 00:14:38.139 right? 00:14:38.419 --> 00:14:38.659 So, 00:14:38.740 --> 00:14:39.199 so we, 00:14:39.299 --> 00:14:40.019 and externally, 00:14:40.019 --> 00:14:41.500 we might be able to obey. 00:14:41.620 --> 00:14:43.259 And some of us maybe are just fearful. 00:14:43.460 --> 00:14:43.600 We're, 00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:44.519 we're fearful of that, 00:14:44.580 --> 00:14:47.240 what that God would punish us if we sin and did something wrong. 00:14:47.279 --> 00:14:47.699 So we, 00:14:47.939 --> 00:14:51.159 we try to obey him and to earn God's favor or to his, 00:14:51.480 --> 00:14:52.899 to get in a good place with him. 00:14:52.980 --> 00:14:54.600 But if this passage is true, 00:14:54.600 --> 00:14:55.919 and if the greatest commandment is true, 00:14:56.039 --> 00:14:56.399 any of, 00:14:56.399 --> 00:15:01.100 all of those things are inadequate because God is the primary motivation, 00:15:01.240 --> 00:15:04.840 motivation for our obedience has to be love and gratitude for what God has 00:15:04.840 --> 00:15:06.100 already done for us. 00:15:06.659 --> 00:15:07.139 Love, 00:15:07.720 --> 00:15:12.879 only the conduct that arises from our love for God is a conduct that is worthy of 00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:14.079 the name obedience, 00:15:14.679 --> 00:15:14.919 right? 00:15:15.779 --> 00:15:16.959 Because he cares, 00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:18.120 not just that we obey, 00:15:18.220 --> 00:15:19.899 but he wants us to love him, 00:15:20.059 --> 00:15:20.939 to follow him. 00:15:21.659 --> 00:15:25.379 And only the people who love God actually will obey God. 00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:29.459 So what does that mean? 00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:30.259 Like a more, 00:15:30.559 --> 00:15:30.799 you know, 00:15:30.959 --> 00:15:33.179 often when we think of our lives and, 00:15:33.559 --> 00:15:35.139 and I need to become a better Christian, 00:15:35.259 --> 00:15:35.819 we might say, 00:15:35.919 --> 00:15:36.079 you know, 00:15:36.120 --> 00:15:36.659 I need to, 00:15:36.980 --> 00:15:37.179 you know, 00:15:37.199 --> 00:15:39.199 be more disciplined about my devotions. 00:15:39.379 --> 00:15:39.500 You know, 00:15:39.519 --> 00:15:40.620 I have to read the Bible more. 00:15:40.659 --> 00:15:41.500 I need to pray more. 00:15:41.559 --> 00:15:43.039 I need to think about all of these things. 00:15:43.459 --> 00:15:46.459 And all of those things are good things and necessary things, 00:15:46.459 --> 00:15:48.299 but they are not the ultimate things. 00:15:48.299 --> 00:15:53.359 The reason why those things are important is because they all help to stoke our love for God. 00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:56.139 It's because they all remind us of what God's love, 00:15:56.500 --> 00:15:56.659 what, 00:15:56.779 --> 00:15:57.839 how God has loved us. 00:15:58.019 --> 00:15:59.039 And in doing so, 00:15:59.319 --> 00:16:00.539 stir our love for God. 00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:01.959 That's why those things work. 00:16:02.120 --> 00:16:03.859 Not because it's some kind of, 00:16:03.859 --> 00:16:04.059 you know, 00:16:04.099 --> 00:16:05.299 incantation or magic. 00:16:05.399 --> 00:16:05.639 You just, 00:16:05.839 --> 00:16:06.620 if you just read, 00:16:06.679 --> 00:16:07.359 flip through the pages, 00:16:07.500 --> 00:16:09.139 you'll become a more holy person. 00:16:09.379 --> 00:16:10.259 That's not what happens. 00:16:10.519 --> 00:16:12.419 What happens is that when you read God's word, 00:16:12.459 --> 00:16:13.579 you see his love for you, 00:16:13.580 --> 00:16:15.460 and you are stirred in your love for him. 00:16:15.600 --> 00:16:17.860 And that's what motivates us to obey. 00:16:17.940 --> 00:16:19.820 And that's what makes us holy people. 00:16:20.780 --> 00:16:23.280 So if we are living a disobedient life, 00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:25.139 you are living an undisciplined life. 00:16:25.340 --> 00:16:28.240 The heart of the matter is not just more effort, 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:29.460 more determination, 00:16:29.700 --> 00:16:30.540 more willpower. 00:16:30.540 --> 00:16:33.400 The heart of the matter is a lack of love for God. 00:16:33.840 --> 00:16:35.100 We must love him more. 00:16:36.680 --> 00:16:37.360 Of course, 00:16:37.520 --> 00:16:42.220 this doesn't mean that we shouldn't do anything that we don't want to do. 00:16:42.220 --> 00:16:42.420 Like, 00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:43.639 so some people will say, 00:16:43.720 --> 00:16:43.779 well, 00:16:43.800 --> 00:16:44.519 if that's the case, 00:16:44.980 --> 00:16:45.160 you know, 00:16:45.160 --> 00:16:46.720 I don't feel like going to church right now. 00:16:46.720 --> 00:16:47.700 I don't love God that well. 00:16:47.740 --> 00:16:48.759 So there's no point in going, 00:16:49.139 --> 00:16:49.379 you know, 00:16:49.800 --> 00:16:53.279 I'm only going to do the things that I actually want to do and that I love to do. 00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:53.779 You know, 00:16:53.800 --> 00:16:54.060 of course, 00:16:54.100 --> 00:16:57.160 that's not true either because there is duty. 00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:58.639 There is responsibility, 00:16:59.460 --> 00:17:02.139 but duty and responsibility cannot replace, 00:17:02.259 --> 00:17:03.940 cannot supplant our love for God. 00:17:04.220 --> 00:17:04.680 And C.S. 00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:07.539 Lewis puts this in a really helpful way. 00:17:07.600 --> 00:17:07.839 He says, 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:11.920 a perfect man would never act from the sense of duty. 00:17:12.660 --> 00:17:15.839 He'd always want the right thing more than the wrong one. 00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:21.059 Duty is only a substitute for love of God and of other people, 00:17:21.259 --> 00:17:22.160 like a crutch, 00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:24.039 which is a substitute for a leg. 00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:27.140 Most of us need the crutch at times, 00:17:27.480 --> 00:17:28.240 but of course, 00:17:28.360 --> 00:17:31.059 it is idiotic to use the crutch when our own legs, 00:17:31.380 --> 00:17:32.200 our own loves, 00:17:32.319 --> 00:17:32.620 tastes, 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:34.819 habits can do the journey on their own. 00:17:34.819 --> 00:17:35.259 Right? 00:17:36.220 --> 00:17:36.659 Yes, 00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:37.740 we do have duty. 00:17:38.059 --> 00:17:38.220 Yes, 00:17:38.259 --> 00:17:39.419 we do have responsibility, 00:17:39.899 --> 00:17:44.339 but those are crutches that we use when we don't have the legs that are functioning properly. 00:17:44.539 --> 00:17:46.579 When our loves are not ordered properly, 00:17:46.700 --> 00:17:50.439 when our emphasis and our desires of our hearts are not ordered properly. 00:17:50.440 --> 00:17:50.960 Yes, 00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:52.860 we use the crutch of duty and responsibility, 00:17:53.299 --> 00:17:53.920 but ultimately, 00:17:54.120 --> 00:17:55.820 we must start a love for him, 00:17:55.860 --> 00:17:59.940 because that's what's going to help us become obedient believers, 00:18:00.100 --> 00:18:00.420 Christians. 00:18:00.420 --> 00:18:00.820 So, 00:18:01.220 --> 00:18:02.960 if that's the case, 00:18:03.039 --> 00:18:06.560 loving God involves both obedience and affection. 00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:07.380 Now, 00:18:07.440 --> 00:18:10.820 what does it mean when he spells out that we ought to love God with all our heart, 00:18:11.060 --> 00:18:11.360 soul, 00:18:11.560 --> 00:18:11.820 mind, 00:18:11.860 --> 00:18:12.400 and strength? 00:18:13.640 --> 00:18:13.800 Now, 00:18:13.860 --> 00:18:15.920 these might seem self-evident, 00:18:16.080 --> 00:18:20.000 but the way that the Jews use these words were a little different, 00:18:20.120 --> 00:18:21.940 so the way the Bible is written is a little bit different. 00:18:22.060 --> 00:18:22.180 So, 00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:23.180 when we think of heart, 00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:24.100 we usually think of, 00:18:24.400 --> 00:18:24.580 you know, 00:18:24.600 --> 00:18:25.279 our emotions, 00:18:25.820 --> 00:18:26.500 our feelings, 00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:28.060 but actually, 00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:29.620 in Bible times, 00:18:29.619 --> 00:18:32.579 they refer to the intestines as the source of emotions. 00:18:33.099 --> 00:18:33.219 So, 00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:34.259 if that's what he was referring to, 00:18:34.279 --> 00:18:34.739 he would say, 00:18:34.859 --> 00:18:35.079 you know, 00:18:35.159 --> 00:18:36.959 out of love God with all of your intestines, 00:18:37.199 --> 00:18:37.379 right? 00:18:37.639 --> 00:18:38.679 But that's not what he says. 00:18:38.699 --> 00:18:38.899 He says, 00:18:38.979 --> 00:18:40.059 love God with all of your heart. 00:18:40.219 --> 00:18:40.539 Heart, 00:18:40.719 --> 00:18:41.019 rather, 00:18:41.179 --> 00:18:44.159 is where our moral intention lies, 00:18:44.199 --> 00:18:45.699 according to biblical worldview. 00:18:46.139 --> 00:18:46.299 So, 00:18:46.459 --> 00:18:48.539 that refers to our will, 00:18:48.659 --> 00:18:49.359 our desire, 00:18:49.579 --> 00:18:53.179 what we want to do ethically and living. 00:18:55.219 --> 00:18:59.199 It does call for certain emotions and affections, 00:18:59.200 --> 00:19:00.120 like Deuteronomy 28, 00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:00.620 47. 00:19:00.740 --> 00:19:00.980 It says, 00:19:01.259 --> 00:19:01.279 with, 00:19:01.840 --> 00:19:05.259 worship God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, 00:19:05.360 --> 00:19:05.519 right? 00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:05.640 So, 00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:07.920 we could have gladness and joyfulness in the heart. 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:08.080 So, 00:19:08.160 --> 00:19:09.660 it refers to those things as well. 00:19:10.319 --> 00:19:12.620 The soul here is, 00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:17.100 is not just referring to kind of this disembodied part of, 00:19:17.200 --> 00:19:17.940 of our lives, 00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:19.180 like a soul, 00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:21.580 but it refers also very practically, 00:19:21.880 --> 00:19:23.700 pragmatically to physical life. 00:19:24.340 --> 00:19:26.620 The literal translation of that is neck, 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:27.480 throat, 00:19:28.080 --> 00:19:29.860 basically where our life resides, 00:19:30.100 --> 00:19:30.299 right? 00:19:30.740 --> 00:19:31.019 So, 00:19:31.220 --> 00:19:31.400 it's, 00:19:31.600 --> 00:19:32.000 that's, 00:19:32.100 --> 00:19:35.539 what that means then is love God with all of your life, 00:19:35.799 --> 00:19:35.980 right? 00:19:36.100 --> 00:19:39.500 Be willing even to give up your very life for Christ, 00:19:40.039 --> 00:19:40.200 right? 00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:41.759 To follow God and to obey him. 00:19:42.019 --> 00:19:42.380 That's, 00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:42.660 that's, 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.960 that's what he's referring to. 00:19:43.960 --> 00:19:44.940 Um, 00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:46.059 and then, 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:46.559 uh, 00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:47.720 finally, 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:48.380 well, 00:19:48.460 --> 00:19:48.900 there's two more. 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:49.860 There's the strength. 00:19:49.980 --> 00:19:52.420 What does it mean to love God with all our strength? 00:19:52.779 --> 00:19:52.980 So, 00:19:53.079 --> 00:19:53.700 heart and soul, 00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:54.740 when you say in the Bible, 00:19:54.819 --> 00:19:55.940 you often see this expression, 00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:58.500 love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul. 00:19:59.000 --> 00:19:59.200 Uh, 00:19:59.200 --> 00:20:01.420 this king followed God with all his heart and soul. 00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:01.579 So, 00:20:01.620 --> 00:20:02.840 that means really everything. 00:20:03.420 --> 00:20:03.579 Uh, 00:20:03.579 --> 00:20:03.819 it's, 00:20:03.819 --> 00:20:04.019 it's, 00:20:04.140 --> 00:20:04.240 they, 00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:05.360 they're usually paired together. 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:06.620 But in addition to that, 00:20:06.660 --> 00:20:09.240 even though heart and soul is plenty to communicate to us, 00:20:09.299 --> 00:20:11.120 we have to love God with everything that we have. 00:20:11.279 --> 00:20:12.440 He adds this, 00:20:12.539 --> 00:20:13.460 these two categories, 00:20:13.460 --> 00:20:13.740 for, 00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:14.600 for good measure. 00:20:15.059 --> 00:20:16.340 With strength refers, 00:20:16.640 --> 00:20:18.380 it's literally a muchness, 00:20:18.640 --> 00:20:20.340 exceedingly strength, 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:21.759 not half-heartedly, 00:20:21.900 --> 00:20:22.200 not, 00:20:22.400 --> 00:20:22.779 you know, 00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:23.819 dispassionately, 00:20:23.900 --> 00:20:24.019 no, 00:20:24.140 --> 00:20:26.779 but exceedingly with muchness, 00:20:26.860 --> 00:20:27.600 with strength, 00:20:27.660 --> 00:20:28.500 we ought to love God. 00:20:29.100 --> 00:20:29.700 And then finally, 00:20:29.960 --> 00:20:30.579 mind, 00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:30.980 right? 00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:33.539 God cares not just about what we do, 00:20:33.700 --> 00:20:33.880 right? 00:20:33.940 --> 00:20:35.340 He cares about how we think. 00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:37.200 What are you thinking about? 00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:37.640 Like, 00:20:37.740 --> 00:20:38.079 how do you, 00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:40.220 is your thinking honoring God? 00:20:40.819 --> 00:20:42.480 How do you think about God and other people? 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:44.700 Is that consistent with God tells about us? 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:47.220 But if you, 00:20:47.460 --> 00:20:48.920 so these are what the heart, 00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:49.099 soul, 00:20:49.160 --> 00:20:49.279 mind, 00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:49.799 and strength mean. 00:20:49.860 --> 00:20:51.680 But if you have a hard time remembering all of these things, 00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:52.200 that's okay. 00:20:52.279 --> 00:20:54.400 Because what you need to remember is heart, 00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:54.640 soul, 00:20:54.720 --> 00:20:54.860 mind, 00:20:54.880 --> 00:20:55.299 and strength, 00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:59.059 what God's communicating to us through this word is with everything, 00:20:59.440 --> 00:20:59.599 right? 00:20:59.799 --> 00:21:00.660 So if you have a question, 00:21:00.660 --> 00:21:00.880 okay, 00:21:00.960 --> 00:21:02.820 should I love God with this thing or not? 00:21:02.920 --> 00:21:03.920 The answer is yes. 00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:05.460 The answer is always yes. 00:21:05.620 --> 00:21:06.460 Whatever you do, 00:21:06.600 --> 00:21:07.200 what you're doing, 00:21:07.300 --> 00:21:07.860 what you're thinking, 00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:08.640 what you're feeling, 00:21:08.980 --> 00:21:11.279 how you're living in the morning when no one's around, 00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:11.960 or in the evening, 00:21:12.140 --> 00:21:14.060 when you're working at a job, 00:21:14.200 --> 00:21:17.000 everything is supposed to be for God. 00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:19.380 The totality of the human faculty. 00:21:19.860 --> 00:21:23.220 That's why it says repeatedly with all your heart, 00:21:23.340 --> 00:21:23.460 right? 00:21:23.500 --> 00:21:24.720 With all your soul, 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:26.060 with all your mind, 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:27.640 with all your strength. 00:21:28.420 --> 00:21:28.860 Repeatedly. 00:21:29.140 --> 00:21:30.680 The sum of all of those things, 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:34.300 all of our lives is to be lived in obedience to the greatest commandment, 00:21:34.320 --> 00:21:35.480 to love God. 00:21:37.140 --> 00:21:38.920 And that's challenging, 00:21:39.080 --> 00:21:39.400 isn't it? 00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:40.240 If you think about it, 00:21:40.600 --> 00:21:42.900 but that's what it means to be a Christian, 00:21:43.220 --> 00:21:43.380 right? 00:21:43.860 --> 00:21:47.160 It's not something that we can compartmentalize, 00:21:47.260 --> 00:21:47.420 say, 00:21:47.520 --> 00:21:47.680 well, 00:21:47.900 --> 00:21:49.360 I'll be a Christian on Sunday morning. 00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:50.260 So when I go to church, 00:21:50.320 --> 00:21:51.860 I'll be Christian when I go to this, 00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:53.680 this small group meeting that I have. 00:21:53.740 --> 00:21:53.880 No, 00:21:54.180 --> 00:21:58.460 everything it's comprehensive and it's tempting as, 00:21:58.560 --> 00:21:58.760 as, 00:21:58.860 --> 00:21:59.680 as Christians, 00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:00.860 if you're a believer to, 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:02.580 to measure our success, 00:22:02.840 --> 00:22:05.200 our level of obedience against other people, 00:22:05.300 --> 00:22:05.820 you know, 00:22:05.820 --> 00:22:07.240 cause you're with a group of believers. 00:22:07.240 --> 00:22:07.540 So, 00:22:07.940 --> 00:22:10.240 so if you're reading the Bible more than someone else, 00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:10.920 or if you're, 00:22:11.160 --> 00:22:11.340 you know, 00:22:11.380 --> 00:22:12.240 if you have, 00:22:12.560 --> 00:22:12.860 uh, 00:22:13.500 --> 00:22:13.680 you, 00:22:13.740 --> 00:22:15.780 you speak more kindly than someone else. 00:22:15.840 --> 00:22:17.460 You don't gossip like this person, 00:22:17.460 --> 00:22:19.320 or you don't use profanities like, 00:22:19.380 --> 00:22:19.960 this person, 00:22:20.360 --> 00:22:20.520 you know, 00:22:20.560 --> 00:22:22.020 you don't use these vices. 00:22:22.300 --> 00:22:24.120 You don't have these vices in your lives like, 00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:24.960 like this person. 00:22:25.100 --> 00:22:25.480 You know, 00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:28.100 we think that those things are sufficient to, 00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:28.420 to, 00:22:28.580 --> 00:22:29.640 to reassure us that, 00:22:29.640 --> 00:22:29.800 okay, 00:22:29.800 --> 00:22:31.560 I'm doing pretty good before God. 00:22:31.940 --> 00:22:33.480 But if this commandment is true, 00:22:33.520 --> 00:22:33.980 and it is, 00:22:34.080 --> 00:22:37.480 this greatest commandment tells us that's not the measure of our success. 00:22:37.620 --> 00:22:41.560 We don't measure by how we're doing with relation to other people, 00:22:41.560 --> 00:22:44.480 because the command is to love God with all our heart, 00:22:44.580 --> 00:22:44.740 soul, 00:22:44.840 --> 00:22:45.020 mind, 00:22:45.080 --> 00:22:45.480 and strength. 00:22:45.860 --> 00:22:46.140 Meaning, 00:22:46.280 --> 00:22:46.980 if anything, 00:22:47.100 --> 00:22:49.280 any part of our lives is not properly ordered, 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:49.560 and, 00:22:49.560 --> 00:22:49.840 and, 00:22:49.840 --> 00:22:52.420 and channeled to loving God and serving Him, 00:22:52.420 --> 00:22:54.560 then those things must change. 00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:56.700 Those things are not adequate. 00:22:57.900 --> 00:22:59.160 All of our life, 00:22:59.500 --> 00:23:00.140 He demands. 00:23:01.160 --> 00:23:01.759 Not, 00:23:02.180 --> 00:23:03.740 just part of it. 00:23:04.560 --> 00:23:05.380 So that's, 00:23:05.539 --> 00:23:07.279 the greatest commandment. 00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:07.560 And, 00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:08.920 but He continues, 00:23:09.039 --> 00:23:09.560 He goes on. 00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:11.360 Instead of giving one command, 00:23:11.420 --> 00:23:12.120 He gives two, 00:23:12.259 --> 00:23:13.920 and the second commandment is in verse 31. 00:23:13.920 --> 00:23:15.740 It says, 00:23:15.840 --> 00:23:18.640 you shall love your neighbor as yourself. 00:23:19.080 --> 00:23:19.180 Right? 00:23:19.960 --> 00:23:20.360 Now, 00:23:20.820 --> 00:23:25.860 just like the first great commandment was the summary of the first half of the Ten Commandments, 00:23:26.039 --> 00:23:29.440 this is actually a summary of the second half of the Ten Commandments. 00:23:29.800 --> 00:23:30.759 It's from Deuteron, 00:23:30.880 --> 00:23:31.980 Leviticus 19, 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:32.340 18, 00:23:32.660 --> 00:23:33.240 where it says, 00:23:33.320 --> 00:23:33.940 do not murder, 00:23:34.100 --> 00:23:35.120 do not commit adultery, 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.920 do not steal, 00:23:36.060 --> 00:23:37.960 do not give false testimony against your neighbor, 00:23:38.039 --> 00:23:39.360 do not cover your neighbor's house, 00:23:39.700 --> 00:23:39.940 wife, 00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:42.460 or anything that belongs to your neighbor. 00:23:42.460 --> 00:23:49.079 And this is why several biblical writers say that this commandment summarizes biblical ethics. 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:50.600 In Romans 13, 00:23:50.720 --> 00:23:51.279 8 to 10, 00:23:51.400 --> 00:23:55.440 Paul says that this commandment to love your neighbor as yourself sums up all the commandments. 00:23:56.120 --> 00:23:56.920 And same way, 00:23:57.079 --> 00:23:57.960 in James chapter 2, 00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:58.519 8 to 11, 00:23:58.600 --> 00:24:00.680 he writes that this is the royal law, 00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:04.700 love of neighbor is the royal law that fulfills the commandments of the Decalogue. 00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:06.259 Now, 00:24:06.360 --> 00:24:07.279 but who is our neighbor? 00:24:07.960 --> 00:24:08.100 Right? 00:24:08.660 --> 00:24:11.720 And Jesus answers this question in Luke chapter 10, 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:12.700 25 to 37. 00:24:12.700 --> 00:24:14.920 He tells the parable of the good Samaritan, 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:16.420 which many of you are familiar with, 00:24:16.839 --> 00:24:19.519 where there's a man who had been robbed and injured. 00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:21.019 He was mugged basically on the road. 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:25.720 And no one helps him except for none of his fellow people, 00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:27.059 none of his fellow Jews help him. 00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:30.160 But this Samaritan whom the Jews despised, 00:24:30.339 --> 00:24:31.860 because they were a mixed breed, 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:34.660 half Jewish and half non-Jews, 00:24:34.740 --> 00:24:35.180 Gentiles, 00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:37.580 and they despised one another. 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:37.940 Yet, 00:24:38.140 --> 00:24:41.440 this Samaritan comes to help this person that's injured. 00:24:42.039 --> 00:24:43.400 And after telling that story, 00:24:43.580 --> 00:24:43.980 Jesus says, 00:24:44.039 --> 00:24:45.700 then who was a neighbor to this person? 00:24:46.660 --> 00:24:47.840 And the answer, 00:24:47.960 --> 00:24:48.220 of course, 00:24:48.279 --> 00:24:49.039 is the Samaritan. 00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:54.500 And what Jesus is telling us then is that your neighbor is not someone that looks like you. 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:54.980 Right? 00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:58.539 Your neighbor is not someone of the same race or ethnic background. 00:24:58.720 --> 00:25:02.340 Your neighbor is not someone who has the same academic pedigree as you. 00:25:02.339 --> 00:25:06.919 Your neighbor is not someone who listens to the same kind of music or is the same kind of food, 00:25:07.220 --> 00:25:09.539 or someone who was born in the same decade as you. 00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:14.039 The neighbor is anyone that you rub shoulders with. 00:25:14.639 --> 00:25:16.039 It really is your neighbor. 00:25:16.599 --> 00:25:17.779 People that you live with. 00:25:18.079 --> 00:25:19.559 People that you see at work. 00:25:19.699 --> 00:25:21.039 People that you walk alongside. 00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:23.179 And Jesus says, 00:25:23.579 --> 00:25:24.319 all of these people, 00:25:24.539 --> 00:25:28.179 love them as you love yourself. 00:25:28.180 --> 00:25:33.160 And it's key that Jesus gives these two commandments together. 00:25:33.900 --> 00:25:38.440 Because there are people who claim to love God 00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:43.460 and engage in this kind of mysticism that is detached from the world. 00:25:43.880 --> 00:25:47.180 They try to love God apart from loving people. 00:25:47.960 --> 00:25:49.779 And the greatest commandments doesn't allow, 00:25:50.019 --> 00:25:51.080 they do not allow for that. 00:25:51.560 --> 00:25:52.279 In the same way, 00:25:52.340 --> 00:25:55.019 there's a lot of people who are very generous 00:25:55.019 --> 00:25:57.600 toward humanitarian causes. 00:25:57.599 --> 00:25:59.839 They try to feed people who are hungry. 00:25:59.959 --> 00:26:02.279 They try to go to foreign countries 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:04.959 where they're suffering after earthquakes to volunteer. 00:26:05.879 --> 00:26:09.139 They do all of these things yet without any reference to God. 00:26:10.419 --> 00:26:12.859 And if God's our creator, 00:26:13.159 --> 00:26:13.659 and He is, 00:26:13.779 --> 00:26:15.119 and He's the one that, 00:26:15.319 --> 00:26:17.199 and we're created in His image, 00:26:17.919 --> 00:26:20.500 He alone knows the blueprint for humanity. 00:26:20.659 --> 00:26:22.339 He alone knows how we ought to live, 00:26:22.399 --> 00:26:23.799 the purpose of our lives. 00:26:23.799 --> 00:26:26.059 And if we don't give these people 00:26:26.059 --> 00:26:27.839 that are living without purpose, 00:26:28.119 --> 00:26:30.819 living without their true orientation toward their creator, 00:26:31.119 --> 00:26:32.639 the thing that they need most, 00:26:32.779 --> 00:26:34.519 which is spiritual renewal and revival, 00:26:34.919 --> 00:26:36.500 that we're not loving them properly. 00:26:37.339 --> 00:26:39.700 You can't have one without the other. 00:26:39.819 --> 00:26:42.079 That, too, is an inadequate love. 00:26:42.639 --> 00:26:45.319 We must love both God and our neighbor. 00:26:45.319 --> 00:26:50.119 So then there are two rightful objects of love. 00:26:50.279 --> 00:26:51.700 That's God and man. 00:26:51.899 --> 00:26:52.539 God and people. 00:26:53.200 --> 00:26:55.299 You can have a passion for hobbies. 00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:56.980 You can love football. 00:26:57.439 --> 00:26:59.539 You can love your country. 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:02.419 You can love certain kinds of food or drink. 00:27:02.679 --> 00:27:04.000 You can love your pet. 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:06.420 But none of those things, 00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:08.400 you can't love any of those things 00:27:08.400 --> 00:27:10.559 in the same way you love God 00:27:10.559 --> 00:27:12.299 in the way you love people. 00:27:13.500 --> 00:27:16.440 There's two proper objects of this love that God commands. 00:27:16.559 --> 00:27:17.799 It's God and people. 00:27:18.440 --> 00:27:22.779 Do the weight and distribution of our time and money 00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:26.519 reflect the priority of loving God and people? 00:27:26.519 --> 00:27:31.339 Or if someone were to look at our lives, 00:27:31.480 --> 00:27:33.019 look at our calendars, 00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:35.359 look at our budgets, 00:27:35.779 --> 00:27:38.160 will they say that we love other things more? 00:27:42.099 --> 00:27:44.259 So we have to love our neighbor, 00:27:44.359 --> 00:27:46.079 and that includes all of our neighbors. 00:27:46.900 --> 00:27:49.379 Then what does it mean to love our neighbor as ourselves? 00:27:50.759 --> 00:27:53.759 In verse 31, it says to love them as ourselves. 00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:56.440 And we can get rid of a lot of misconceptions 00:27:56.440 --> 00:27:58.000 simply by asking that question. 00:27:58.400 --> 00:28:00.140 How do we actually love ourselves? 00:28:01.900 --> 00:28:04.859 As I mentioned before, 00:28:05.079 --> 00:28:06.740 some people think that this means 00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:08.680 maybe we need to esteem people. 00:28:09.240 --> 00:28:11.920 We need to respect them and think highly of them 00:28:11.920 --> 00:28:14.059 because that's what they say. 00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:16.819 And a lot of Christian psychologists 00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:17.660 will actually say it is 00:28:17.660 --> 00:28:19.319 because they recognize that self-esteem 00:28:19.319 --> 00:28:22.599 is an important principle of psychological treatment. 00:28:22.599 --> 00:28:24.259 So they say it's self-esteem. 00:28:24.619 --> 00:28:27.119 But I don't think that's what the passage is getting at 00:28:27.119 --> 00:28:29.099 because if you're honest with yourself, 00:28:29.219 --> 00:28:32.379 there's times when you don't esteem yourself very highly. 00:28:33.579 --> 00:28:36.919 I mean, this happens to me very frequently. 00:28:37.139 --> 00:28:38.879 I look at someone or look at something, 00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:40.799 and I'm like, oh, wow, I'm really bad at this. 00:28:41.119 --> 00:28:43.279 Or like, oh, wow, I've really messed up there. 00:28:43.500 --> 00:28:47.679 Oh, wow, I really don't deserve these things that I have. 00:28:47.680 --> 00:28:51.299 When I'm very clear-minded, 00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:53.860 when I'm actually probably most sober-minded, 00:28:54.340 --> 00:28:56.960 I actually don't have very high esteem for myself. 00:28:58.220 --> 00:29:00.700 Yet that doesn't mean I have stopped loving myself. 00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:03.100 In fact, I love myself very much. 00:29:04.039 --> 00:29:08.180 The fact that I am so bothered by these deficiencies in my life 00:29:08.180 --> 00:29:11.259 is even, in fact, a sign that I love myself that much more. 00:29:11.259 --> 00:29:11.779 Right? 00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:17.119 And I'm always looking to provide for myself. 00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:18.400 I'm looking to care for myself. 00:29:18.519 --> 00:29:19.799 I'm looking to improve myself. 00:29:20.000 --> 00:29:23.599 That's all evidence of my great love for self. 00:29:24.420 --> 00:29:26.559 And that's exactly what God's getting at, 00:29:26.619 --> 00:29:28.379 what this Jesus is getting at in this passage. 00:29:28.900 --> 00:29:29.180 You know what? 00:29:29.299 --> 00:29:32.119 He takes for granted the fact that we all love ourselves. 00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:32.579 We do. 00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:33.799 We love ourselves. 00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:34.759 We fend for ourselves. 00:29:34.859 --> 00:29:36.960 We prioritize our lives before others. 00:29:37.200 --> 00:29:39.960 And God's saying, love your neighbors in that same way. 00:29:39.960 --> 00:29:42.980 And prioritize their interests, their needs, 00:29:43.640 --> 00:29:45.440 instead of putting yourself first, 00:29:45.500 --> 00:29:47.860 as people want to do. 00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:51.680 That's why the background of this is the Leviticus passage I mentioned. 00:29:52.059 --> 00:29:55.079 It gives you a whole list of things that you're not to do to your neighbor. 00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:56.120 For example, don't steal. 00:29:56.380 --> 00:29:57.539 Don't deal falsely with him. 00:29:57.640 --> 00:29:59.420 Don't oppress your neighbor or rob him. 00:29:59.759 --> 00:30:02.420 Don't do any injustice in court against your neighbor. 00:30:02.539 --> 00:30:03.259 Don't be partial. 00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:04.740 Don't slander your neighbor. 00:30:04.799 --> 00:30:05.840 It gives you all of those things, 00:30:05.900 --> 00:30:07.420 and it summarizes at the end of it, 00:30:08.079 --> 00:30:09.920 you shall love your neighbor as yourself. 00:30:10.860 --> 00:30:13.160 So what it means to love our neighbor as ourselves 00:30:13.160 --> 00:30:15.819 is really the counterpart to all those negative commandments. 00:30:16.100 --> 00:30:18.180 It's to treat them as we would, 00:30:18.579 --> 00:30:20.220 you know, treat them as we would like to be treated. 00:30:20.660 --> 00:30:23.240 It's to be selfless and sacrificial in our love. 00:30:23.240 --> 00:30:31.180 And now, this is all good, right? 00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:34.380 And it makes sense to us and we understand it. 00:30:34.799 --> 00:30:38.079 But there's something very disturbing about this passage. 00:30:38.079 --> 00:30:42.619 Because if you take a step back and look at the whole passage in view, 00:30:44.939 --> 00:30:49.019 you see in the context of the flow of the narrative in Mark 00:30:49.019 --> 00:30:53.939 that scribes had repeatedly come up to Jesus to question him, 00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:56.059 to challenge him, to make him look bad. 00:30:56.299 --> 00:30:59.599 And Jesus answers them well each time. 00:31:00.119 --> 00:31:01.779 But this one is a little different. 00:31:01.919 --> 00:31:04.079 This scribe comes by himself. 00:31:04.079 --> 00:31:07.779 He doesn't come in a mob like the other scribes that just preceded him. 00:31:08.339 --> 00:31:12.679 And it says that he came, he heard them disputing, 00:31:13.059 --> 00:31:16.119 and he saw, he's seeing that Jesus answered them well. 00:31:16.319 --> 00:31:17.859 He came to ask this question. 00:31:18.279 --> 00:31:20.559 That's again different because in Mark 8, 00:31:20.639 --> 00:31:24.319 Jesus said that these Jewish leaders have eyes but failed to see 00:31:24.319 --> 00:31:26.279 and ears but failed to hear. 00:31:26.519 --> 00:31:30.279 In contrast, this scribe is hearing and he's seeing, right? 00:31:30.279 --> 00:31:34.519 So Mark includes that intentionally to show us that this scribe is not coming here 00:31:34.519 --> 00:31:37.680 to test Jesus in the same way these other scribes have come. 00:31:38.019 --> 00:31:40.099 This scribe comes alone, not in a mob. 00:31:40.160 --> 00:31:41.720 This scribe comes sincerely, 00:31:42.240 --> 00:31:45.079 which is why Jesus says that in verse 34, 00:31:45.200 --> 00:31:47.279 he tells the scribe, you answered wisely. 00:31:48.559 --> 00:31:51.619 So if that's the case and he's seeking God sincerely 00:31:51.619 --> 00:31:53.460 and all of these things are going well 00:31:53.460 --> 00:31:56.480 and he seems to summarize the greatest commandments well in response, 00:31:56.480 --> 00:32:01.680 why does Jesus still say you are not far from the kingdom of God? 00:32:03.339 --> 00:32:04.880 Well, that's an understatement. 00:32:05.059 --> 00:32:07.299 So I mean, he's saying that he's close, right? 00:32:07.599 --> 00:32:09.099 So it's just like when we say some things, 00:32:09.220 --> 00:32:10.200 oh, that's not bad at all. 00:32:10.279 --> 00:32:11.779 We're saying that, well, it was good, right? 00:32:12.039 --> 00:32:14.440 In the same way, when Jesus says you're not far from the kingdom of God, 00:32:14.460 --> 00:32:15.539 he means you're close. 00:32:15.700 --> 00:32:18.200 But that's still very disturbing because he's close. 00:32:18.720 --> 00:32:19.640 He's not there. 00:32:21.019 --> 00:32:22.160 Why is he not there? 00:32:22.160 --> 00:32:24.680 He knows this is what Christianity is all about, 00:32:24.680 --> 00:32:27.779 loving God and loving our neighbor as ourselves. 00:32:27.860 --> 00:32:29.500 And why is he not there? 00:32:29.680 --> 00:32:31.440 He understands it, right? 00:32:33.600 --> 00:32:37.820 The answer to this lies in the whole structure of the passage, right? 00:32:40.220 --> 00:32:43.740 Because what we know from reading the Old Testament 00:32:43.740 --> 00:32:46.519 and up to this point and from our own lives, 00:32:47.220 --> 00:32:50.640 we know that we cannot fulfill the greatest commandment, right? 00:32:50.640 --> 00:32:53.940 We fail to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. 00:32:53.940 --> 00:32:58.660 We fail to love our neighbor as ourselves every single day, right? 00:32:59.720 --> 00:33:03.920 And Israel, God's people from the Old Testament, they also failed. 00:33:04.420 --> 00:33:07.320 They failed every time God gave them a chance. 00:33:08.140 --> 00:33:12.120 And Moses knew that would happen when he was writing Deuteronomy. 00:33:12.119 --> 00:33:15.559 But he says this in Deuteronomy 36, 00:33:15.899 --> 00:33:20.299 that there will come a day when God himself will circumcise their heart 00:33:20.299 --> 00:33:22.159 and the heart of their offspring, 00:33:22.599 --> 00:33:27.879 so that they will love God with all their heart and with all their soul. 00:33:29.239 --> 00:33:31.139 Moses knew that everyone would fail. 00:33:31.299 --> 00:33:32.559 They would not be able to keep the greatest commandment. 00:33:32.559 --> 00:33:35.899 But he promised there is coming a time when you will have, 00:33:36.119 --> 00:33:39.639 God will circumcise your heart so that you can actually love God. 00:33:39.640 --> 00:33:43.160 And the time that he was referring to 00:33:43.160 --> 00:33:45.320 and the time that the prophets have been referring to 00:33:45.320 --> 00:33:47.820 is the time of Jesus Christ. 00:33:48.320 --> 00:33:52.420 He came to pay for the sins that we could not atone for. 00:33:52.759 --> 00:33:56.400 He came to obey perfectly in a manner that none of us could. 00:33:57.220 --> 00:33:59.400 And that's what this passage is referring to 00:33:59.400 --> 00:34:03.960 because if you look at the very structure of this, 00:34:03.960 --> 00:34:09.519 if you look from verses 28 to 34, 00:34:09.740 --> 00:34:12.880 depending on how it is written in your context, 00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:14.039 you might not be able to find it. 00:34:14.820 --> 00:34:20.659 But it begins with the scribe hearing 00:34:20.659 --> 00:34:23.280 and Jesus and the Sadducees debating, right? 00:34:23.300 --> 00:34:24.639 That's the first point. 00:34:24.920 --> 00:34:25.920 But if you look at the end, 00:34:25.980 --> 00:34:28.019 it says that there's no more debating, right? 00:34:28.179 --> 00:34:29.440 So those are parallel items. 00:34:29.880 --> 00:34:30.800 Begins with debating. 00:34:30.980 --> 00:34:32.460 At the end, there's no more debating. 00:34:32.460 --> 00:34:34.179 And then before that, in the middle, 00:34:34.280 --> 00:34:35.460 there's also parallel items. 00:34:35.659 --> 00:34:38.659 First, scribe sees that Jesus answered well 00:34:38.659 --> 00:34:40.440 and then asks about the greatest commandment. 00:34:40.800 --> 00:34:42.099 And then the counterpart to that 00:34:42.099 --> 00:34:45.480 is that Jesus sees that the scribe answered well 00:34:45.480 --> 00:34:48.280 and then he pronounced that he's not far from the kingdom of God. 00:34:48.300 --> 00:34:49.900 So those are parallel elements again. 00:34:50.320 --> 00:34:51.780 And then in the middle also is 00:34:51.780 --> 00:34:53.199 Jesus gives the greatest commandment 00:34:53.199 --> 00:34:55.699 and then the scribe summarizes the greatest commandment. 00:34:55.760 --> 00:34:58.619 So it's structured in a way that highlights 00:34:58.619 --> 00:35:01.039 kind of this dialectic, 00:35:01.039 --> 00:35:04.119 this dialogue between Jesus and the scribe. 00:35:04.519 --> 00:35:06.539 And the whole point of this is this, 00:35:07.039 --> 00:35:09.599 is that there's debating in the beginning. 00:35:10.179 --> 00:35:12.800 With Jesus' answer, he quells all debates. 00:35:12.940 --> 00:35:13.880 There's no more debating. 00:35:14.460 --> 00:35:16.980 And the scribe asks about the greatest commandment 00:35:16.980 --> 00:35:19.380 and Jesus not only gives him the greatest commandment, 00:35:19.639 --> 00:35:21.440 but authoritatively pronounces 00:35:21.440 --> 00:35:24.039 that the scribe is not far from the kingdom of God. 00:35:24.659 --> 00:35:26.820 No scribe dared to do that. 00:35:26.820 --> 00:35:29.059 No Pharisee dared to do that during this time 00:35:29.059 --> 00:35:31.500 because who knows except God himself 00:35:31.500 --> 00:35:33.920 whether this person is close to the kingdom of God or not. 00:35:34.240 --> 00:35:36.080 And Jesus claims that authority. 00:35:36.500 --> 00:35:38.539 In fact, the passage that immediately follows this 00:35:38.539 --> 00:35:40.780 will say that Jesus is the promised Messiah, 00:35:41.200 --> 00:35:41.900 the son of David, 00:35:42.019 --> 00:35:43.640 that is to come to redeem the world. 00:35:44.640 --> 00:35:47.120 So the point of this passage, 00:35:47.220 --> 00:35:50.140 the point of this passage obviously was the greatest commandment, 00:35:50.400 --> 00:35:51.940 but the main point of the narrative 00:35:51.940 --> 00:35:54.900 that Mark's getting at is not the greatest commandment. 00:35:54.900 --> 00:35:56.780 We have known that since the Old Testament. 00:35:56.960 --> 00:35:59.119 It's written exactly that same way in Deuteronomy and Leviticus. 00:35:59.519 --> 00:36:02.920 His point rather is that Jesus is the solution. 00:36:03.519 --> 00:36:05.220 He's the one that ends all debate. 00:36:05.320 --> 00:36:07.619 He's the one that's able to get you into the kingdom of God. 00:36:07.900 --> 00:36:08.740 He's the one. 00:36:09.019 --> 00:36:10.099 The scribe is not there. 00:36:10.440 --> 00:36:11.820 He's close, but he's not there 00:36:11.820 --> 00:36:14.579 because what he needs to do is forsake all things 00:36:14.579 --> 00:36:17.000 and start following that Jesus Christ. 00:36:17.440 --> 00:36:18.800 That's what is missing. 00:36:19.119 --> 00:36:20.139 That's what is lacking. 00:36:20.400 --> 00:36:22.880 And that's what it means to be ultimately a Christian. 00:36:22.880 --> 00:36:23.400 Right? 00:36:24.160 --> 00:36:27.140 Because Jesus came to live the perfect life 00:36:27.140 --> 00:36:28.180 that we couldn't live. 00:36:28.420 --> 00:36:31.660 And he paid for the sins that we couldn't pay for. 00:36:31.980 --> 00:36:33.720 So when we repent of our sins 00:36:33.720 --> 00:36:35.099 and believe in him as our savior, 00:36:35.480 --> 00:36:37.700 we are cleansed from our sin. 00:36:37.900 --> 00:36:41.720 And Jesus sees us as he sees his perfect son. 00:36:42.519 --> 00:36:45.059 And that's the love of Christ. 00:36:45.320 --> 00:36:47.039 We talked about the love, loving God, 00:36:47.240 --> 00:36:48.280 loving our neighbor as ourselves. 00:36:48.280 --> 00:36:49.900 And what's going to help us, 00:36:49.920 --> 00:36:51.540 what's going to enable us to love God 00:36:51.540 --> 00:36:53.160 is this love of Christ. 00:36:54.600 --> 00:36:57.160 And that's what it means to become a Christian. 00:36:57.720 --> 00:36:59.940 What is Christianity all about? 00:37:00.320 --> 00:37:02.220 It's about Jesus Christ. 00:37:02.560 --> 00:37:05.700 It's about the person and work of Jesus Christ 00:37:05.700 --> 00:37:08.160 and what he accomplished for us. 00:37:08.159 --> 00:37:13.420 If you have your Bible, 00:37:13.539 --> 00:37:15.960 just turn briefly with me to Luke. 00:37:17.859 --> 00:37:19.199 Luke chapter 7. 00:37:19.199 --> 00:37:29.199 Luke chapter 7. 00:37:33.199 --> 00:37:38.259 Starting in verse 36. 00:37:39.359 --> 00:37:39.659 It says, 00:37:39.659 --> 00:37:44.500 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, 00:37:44.639 --> 00:37:45.099 this Jesus. 00:37:45.299 --> 00:37:47.339 And he went into the Pharisee's house 00:37:47.339 --> 00:37:48.579 and reclined at the table. 00:37:49.079 --> 00:37:51.500 And behold, a woman of the city who was a sinner, 00:37:52.480 --> 00:37:54.460 when she learned that he was reclining at table 00:37:54.460 --> 00:37:55.259 in the Pharisee's house, 00:37:55.399 --> 00:37:57.839 brought an alabaster flask of ointment. 00:37:58.420 --> 00:38:00.799 And standing behind him at his feet weeping, 00:38:00.940 --> 00:38:03.299 she began to wet his feet with her tears 00:38:03.299 --> 00:38:05.659 and wiped them with the hair of her head 00:38:05.659 --> 00:38:07.199 and kissed his feet 00:38:07.199 --> 00:38:09.259 and anointed them with the ointment. 00:38:10.339 --> 00:38:13.659 Now, when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, 00:38:13.719 --> 00:38:14.500 he said to himself, 00:38:14.879 --> 00:38:16.179 If this man were a prophet, 00:38:16.359 --> 00:38:19.480 he would have known who and what sort of woman this is 00:38:19.480 --> 00:38:20.579 who is touching him, 00:38:20.779 --> 00:38:21.779 for she is a sinner. 00:38:22.759 --> 00:38:25.119 And Jesus answering said to him, 00:38:25.659 --> 00:38:27.480 Simon, I have something to say to you. 00:38:27.559 --> 00:38:28.159 And he answered, 00:38:28.519 --> 00:38:29.079 Say it, teacher. 00:38:29.819 --> 00:38:31.779 A certain moneylender had two debtors. 00:38:31.779 --> 00:38:34.980 One owed 500 denarii and the other 50. 00:38:35.420 --> 00:38:36.539 When they could not pay, 00:38:36.659 --> 00:38:38.460 he canceled the debt of both. 00:38:38.460 --> 00:38:41.300 Now, which of them will love him more? 00:38:42.159 --> 00:38:42.920 Simon answered, 00:38:43.400 --> 00:38:44.599 The one, I suppose, 00:38:44.740 --> 00:38:46.599 for whom he canceled the larger debt. 00:38:47.039 --> 00:38:47.820 And he said to him, 00:38:48.220 --> 00:38:49.699 You have judged rightly. 00:38:50.559 --> 00:38:51.980 Then turning toward the woman, 00:38:52.059 --> 00:38:52.880 he said to Simon, 00:38:53.139 --> 00:38:54.480 Do you see this woman? 00:38:54.800 --> 00:38:55.920 I entered your house. 00:38:56.079 --> 00:38:58.079 You gave me no water for my feet, 00:38:58.240 --> 00:39:00.720 but she has wet my feet with her tears 00:39:00.720 --> 00:39:02.579 and wiped them with her hair. 00:39:03.059 --> 00:39:04.400 You gave me no kiss, 00:39:04.400 --> 00:39:05.720 but from the time I came in, 00:39:05.760 --> 00:39:07.660 she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 00:39:08.059 --> 00:39:10.000 You did not anoint my head with oil, 00:39:10.099 --> 00:39:12.360 but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 00:39:12.860 --> 00:39:13.760 Therefore I tell you, 00:39:13.820 --> 00:39:15.119 her sins, which are many, 00:39:15.360 --> 00:39:16.160 are forgiven, 00:39:16.440 --> 00:39:17.619 for she loved much. 00:39:18.300 --> 00:39:19.900 But he who is forgiven little, 00:39:20.680 --> 00:39:21.920 loves little. 00:39:21.920 --> 00:39:24.260 And he said to her, 00:39:24.360 --> 00:39:25.519 Your sins are forgiven. 00:39:26.420 --> 00:39:28.139 And those who were at table with him 00:39:28.139 --> 00:39:29.440 began to say among themselves, 00:39:29.700 --> 00:39:31.900 Who is this who even forgives sins? 00:39:32.380 --> 00:39:33.460 And he said to the woman, 00:39:33.559 --> 00:39:34.780 Your faith has saved you. 00:39:35.059 --> 00:39:36.019 Go in peace. 00:39:37.760 --> 00:39:40.019 He who is forgiven little, 00:39:40.559 --> 00:39:41.579 loves little. 00:39:41.579 --> 00:39:44.679 And in the same way, 00:39:45.019 --> 00:39:46.779 he was forgiven much, 00:39:47.239 --> 00:39:49.279 loves much. 00:39:52.039 --> 00:39:54.299 So how can we love God? 00:39:54.940 --> 00:39:55.960 All of us, 00:39:56.059 --> 00:39:57.860 every single person sitting here 00:39:57.860 --> 00:40:00.219 has been forgiven very much. 00:40:01.360 --> 00:40:03.940 We're all sinners who rebelled against 00:40:03.940 --> 00:40:05.360 an eternal holy God, 00:40:05.559 --> 00:40:07.519 and God has forgiven us of that 00:40:07.519 --> 00:40:08.659 through Jesus Christ, 00:40:08.799 --> 00:40:10.900 his death and resurrection on the cross. 00:40:11.579 --> 00:40:13.239 How do we love God? 00:40:13.340 --> 00:40:14.219 How do we love our neighbor? 00:40:14.539 --> 00:40:16.699 Remember how Christ loved you. 00:40:17.819 --> 00:40:19.960 Remember how much you have been forgiven. 00:40:20.500 --> 00:40:22.239 Because then you will love much. 00:40:23.480 --> 00:40:25.559 Then we will obey the greatest commandment. 00:40:27.759 --> 00:40:29.539 Just take a moment now. 00:40:31.159 --> 00:40:32.819 If you would close your eyes, 00:40:32.940 --> 00:40:35.799 just reflect on this love of Christ. 00:40:35.800 --> 00:40:42.740 And what God's saying to you now. 00:40:44.360 --> 00:40:47.019 Areas that God may be highlighting for you now in your life. 00:40:50.880 --> 00:40:53.800 Where he wants you to love him more 00:40:53.800 --> 00:40:56.420 with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. 00:40:56.420 --> 00:40:57.960 God's doing it. 00:40:58.059 --> 00:40:58.840 Let's pray. 00:41:01.380 --> 00:41:02.200 Sort of like this guy may be 00:41:02.200 --> 00:41:03.659 OK, 00:41:04.659 --> 00:41:04.960 I can Google this episode when you just 00:41:04.960 --> 00:41:05.840 listen to him. 00:41:06.599 --> 00:41:07.599 Work at Istvahag. 00:41:09.940 --> 00:41:10.960 Let's pray, 00:41:11.039 --> 00:41:11.200 fillis for the food. 00:41:11.240 --> 00:41:12.180 Nothing is fun. 00:41:13.099 --> 00:41:13.159 If I put that time, 00:41:13.260 --> 00:41:14.400 listen, 00:41:14.500 --> 00:41:15.119 come to the food. 00:41:15.220 --> 00:41:16.220 I should know. 00:41:16.380 --> 00:41:16.960 Let's pray. 00:41:21.139 --> 00:41:22.039 The best thing to help.