WEBVTT

00:00:00.680 --> 00:00:03.720
 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christ Church.

00:00:04.339 --> 00:00:13.919
 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, redistribution, or any other use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christ Church.

00:00:14.320 --> 00:00:21.280
 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at ChristChurchEastBay.org.

00:00:21.280 --> 00:00:33.560
 Today's scripture is a reading from the Gospel according to Mark, chapter 12, verses 28 to 44.

00:00:35.140 --> 00:00:37.980
 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating.

00:00:39.100 --> 00:00:42.280
 Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him,

00:00:42.799 --> 00:00:45.900
 Of all the commandments, which is the most important?

00:00:46.600 --> 00:00:49.659
 The most important one, answered Jesus, is this,

00:00:49.659 --> 00:00:53.819
 Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.

00:00:54.679 --> 00:01:00.919
 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

00:01:01.659 --> 00:01:04.840
 The second is this, love your neighbor as yourself.

00:01:05.479 --> 00:01:07.620
 There is no commandment greater than these.

00:01:09.000 --> 00:01:10.599
 Well said, teacher, the man replied.

00:01:11.140 --> 00:01:15.060
 You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him.

00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:19.500
 To love him with all your heart and with all your understanding and all your strength.

00:01:19.659 --> 00:01:25.539
 And to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.

00:01:26.479 --> 00:01:30.000
 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him,

00:01:30.679 --> 00:01:33.060
 You are not far from the kingdom of God.

00:01:33.859 --> 00:01:36.959
 And from then no one dared ask him any more questions.

00:01:37.799 --> 00:01:40.659
 While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked,

00:01:40.659 --> 00:01:44.659
 Why do the teachers of the law say the Messiah is the son of David?

00:01:46.140 --> 00:01:48.959
 David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared,

00:01:49.560 --> 00:01:51.000
 The Lord said to my Lord,

00:01:51.560 --> 00:01:54.679
 Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.

00:01:55.539 --> 00:01:57.319
 David himself calls him Lord.

00:01:57.579 --> 00:01:59.359
 How then can he be his son?

00:02:00.819 --> 00:02:02.840
 The large crowd listened to him with delight.

00:02:03.479 --> 00:02:04.780
 As he taught, Jesus said,

00:02:04.780 --> 00:02:06.820
 Watch out for the teachers of the law.

00:02:07.519 --> 00:02:09.719
 They like to walk around in flowing robes

00:02:09.719 --> 00:02:12.620
 and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces

00:02:12.620 --> 00:02:15.879
 and have the most important seats in the synagogues

00:02:15.879 --> 00:02:18.139
 and places of honor at banquets.

00:02:18.759 --> 00:02:20.560
 They devour widows' houses

00:02:20.560 --> 00:02:23.400
 and for a show make lengthy prayers.

00:02:24.060 --> 00:02:26.139
 These men will be punished most severely.

00:02:27.280 --> 00:02:30.139
 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put

00:02:30.139 --> 00:02:33.319
 and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury.

00:02:33.319 --> 00:02:36.500
 Many rich people threw in large amounts,

00:02:37.039 --> 00:02:41.560
 but a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins

00:02:41.560 --> 00:02:43.180
 worth only a few cents.

00:02:44.560 --> 00:02:46.859
 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said,

00:02:47.079 --> 00:02:48.199
 Truly, I tell you,

00:02:48.680 --> 00:02:52.659
 this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.

00:02:53.139 --> 00:02:54.939
 They gave out of their wealth,

00:02:55.379 --> 00:02:58.359
 but she, out of her poverty, put in everything,

00:02:58.879 --> 00:03:00.299
 all she had to live on.

00:03:00.859 --> 00:03:02.379
 This is the gospel of the Lord.

00:03:02.379 --> 00:03:04.340
 Lord, praise to you, Lord Christ.

00:03:05.299 --> 00:03:07.019
 Well, thanks for that scripture reading, Brian.

00:03:07.099 --> 00:03:07.680
 Good morning, everyone.

00:03:07.759 --> 00:03:09.359
 My name's Andrew, one of the pastors here,

00:03:09.620 --> 00:03:11.439
 and I'm happy to share God's word with you.

00:03:11.840 --> 00:03:14.519
 Why don't we go to the Lord in prayer as we begin?

00:03:14.520 --> 00:03:22.100
 Lord God, I pray that in the preaching of your word,

00:03:23.439 --> 00:03:30.160
 that you would convince us how worthy you are of a heart, soul, mind, and strength kind of a love.

00:03:30.860 --> 00:03:35.360
 A love that gives everything to you, for you have given everything to us.

00:03:35.580 --> 00:03:37.460
 Be honored in the preaching of your word, I pray.

00:03:37.980 --> 00:03:39.080
 In Jesus' name.

00:03:39.080 --> 00:03:39.760
 Amen.

00:03:40.760 --> 00:03:44.540
 All right, so we're continuing our series in Mark's Gospel, chapter 12 today,

00:03:44.760 --> 00:03:47.100
 and our focus, as many of you have probably noticed,

00:03:47.200 --> 00:03:49.620
 is on this concept of discipleship, right?

00:03:49.720 --> 00:03:51.680
 And more specifically, Jesus' words,

00:03:52.060 --> 00:03:54.260
 deny yourself and follow me.

00:03:54.780 --> 00:03:55.880
 Deny yourself and follow me.

00:03:55.880 --> 00:03:58.620
 You've been hearing that a lot over these past months,

00:03:58.620 --> 00:04:01.980
 and I'm really curious to know how many of us here hear these words,

00:04:02.080 --> 00:04:03.580
 deny yourself and follow me,

00:04:03.879 --> 00:04:08.560
 as a warm and honoring invitation into a great privilege.

00:04:09.560 --> 00:04:16.459
 Or how many others of us might hear these words as a harsh and repressive challenge

00:04:16.459 --> 00:04:19.240
 from like an authoritarian leader.

00:04:20.519 --> 00:04:22.500
 You know, during the early part of my life,

00:04:22.560 --> 00:04:24.980
 even growing up in the church, calling myself a Christian,

00:04:24.980 --> 00:04:28.259
 I would have identified with the second group, the latter group.

00:04:28.899 --> 00:04:31.060
 I would have said that being a Christian is so inconvenient,

00:04:31.360 --> 00:04:36.199
 so restrictive, so limiting, so prohibitive of my many desires,

00:04:36.300 --> 00:04:39.000
 I felt like my faith was antithetical to delight,

00:04:39.340 --> 00:04:42.040
 antithetical to the desires of my heart.

00:04:42.939 --> 00:04:46.840
 And while that thought still enters into my mind from time to time today,

00:04:46.980 --> 00:04:48.199
 one thing that's really helped me

00:04:48.199 --> 00:04:52.379
 was a moment that I had as a high schooler at a summer youth retreat.

00:04:52.720 --> 00:04:55.220
 My counselor, he sat down with me in the grass,

00:04:55.319 --> 00:04:57.240
 and he opened up his Bible with me

00:04:57.240 --> 00:05:00.780
 to a passage that I'd heard, I'd read, you know, hundreds of times before.

00:05:01.100 --> 00:05:03.340
 It was Psalm chapter 37, verse 4.

00:05:03.660 --> 00:05:05.379
 Delight yourself in the Lord,

00:05:05.819 --> 00:05:08.300
 and he will give you the desires of your heart.

00:05:09.040 --> 00:05:11.560
 You know, all my life, I had read that verse as meaning,

00:05:11.860 --> 00:05:14.720
 delight the Lord, make him happy, make him delighted,

00:05:14.879 --> 00:05:17.540
 and then he will give you your heart's desires.

00:05:18.879 --> 00:05:20.639
 But this counselor helped me realize that actually,

00:05:20.639 --> 00:05:23.479
 the passage was not telling me to delight God with my obedience

00:05:23.479 --> 00:05:25.819
 in order to get something from him,

00:05:26.379 --> 00:05:30.199
 but rather it was telling me to find my delight in the Lord.

00:05:30.879 --> 00:05:34.060
 And that I could trust that he would then give me the desire of my heart,

00:05:34.120 --> 00:05:35.860
 because if I was delighting in the Lord,

00:05:36.779 --> 00:05:39.000
 he would be the desire of my heart.

00:05:39.560 --> 00:05:42.639
 And he would not withhold himself from me ever.

00:05:43.639 --> 00:05:45.139
 And this was mind-blowing.

00:05:45.219 --> 00:05:47.060
 This was revolutionary for me.

00:05:47.060 --> 00:05:49.780
 One pastor, John Piper, he's built a whole ministry

00:05:49.780 --> 00:05:52.459
 based on this idea called Desiring God.

00:05:53.259 --> 00:05:55.540
 This idea affected me, so many people like me,

00:05:55.579 --> 00:05:57.959
 because so many of us had grown up in the church

00:05:57.959 --> 00:06:00.420
 knowing that the right answer to the chief purpose

00:06:00.420 --> 00:06:02.879
 of why we existed was to glorify God,

00:06:02.959 --> 00:06:05.340
 to honor God, to worship God and obey him.

00:06:05.399 --> 00:06:06.319
 But the thing was,

00:06:06.959 --> 00:06:08.660
 we all thought our life's purpose

00:06:08.660 --> 00:06:10.340
 was to glorify God

00:06:10.340 --> 00:06:13.500
 at the expense of our enjoyment,

00:06:14.180 --> 00:06:16.300
 at the expense of our deepest desires.

00:06:16.300 --> 00:06:19.500
 But what John Piper so clearly and concisely preached

00:06:19.500 --> 00:06:21.079
 was that the chief end of humanity

00:06:21.079 --> 00:06:25.079
 was not to glorify God by restricting our enjoyment.

00:06:25.240 --> 00:06:27.500
 No, he preached that the chief end of man

00:06:27.500 --> 00:06:31.920
 was to glorify God by enjoying him forever.

00:06:33.000 --> 00:06:35.800
 Like God didn't make us to be his sad servants

00:06:35.800 --> 00:06:37.480
 living lives desiring things

00:06:37.480 --> 00:06:39.699
 we were never supposed to want or have.

00:06:39.780 --> 00:06:40.019
 No.

00:06:40.780 --> 00:06:43.280
 God made us to be his cheerful children,

00:06:43.279 --> 00:06:46.299
 made to desire and enjoy him forever,

00:06:46.399 --> 00:06:48.759
 made to love him as he loves us.

00:06:48.799 --> 00:06:51.679
 And see, this is the heart of discipleship.

00:06:52.359 --> 00:06:56.119
 This is the goal of deny yourself and follow me.

00:06:56.199 --> 00:06:58.559
 It's not just another rule to add to the list.

00:06:59.619 --> 00:07:02.359
 Discipleship is about rightly ordering our hearts,

00:07:02.479 --> 00:07:03.579
 our desires, what we love,

00:07:03.899 --> 00:07:05.699
 denying our misdirected loves

00:07:05.699 --> 00:07:07.259
 and redirecting them

00:07:07.259 --> 00:07:09.899
 toward what our hearts were made to truly love.

00:07:09.899 --> 00:07:12.759
 To quote the theologian Jamie K. Smith

00:07:12.759 --> 00:07:14.639
 in the book You Are What You Love,

00:07:15.039 --> 00:07:15.819
 he writes this,

00:07:16.259 --> 00:07:17.639
 Discipleship, we might say,

00:07:18.159 --> 00:07:20.139
 is a way to curate your heart,

00:07:20.579 --> 00:07:22.639
 to be attentive to and intentional

00:07:22.639 --> 00:07:24.399
 about what you love.

00:07:25.479 --> 00:07:26.979
 See, again, the aim of discipleship

00:07:26.979 --> 00:07:29.379
 is not merely knowing the right things with our heads

00:07:29.379 --> 00:07:31.719
 or doing the right things with our hands.

00:07:31.839 --> 00:07:34.759
 It's about loving the right person with our hearts.

00:07:34.859 --> 00:07:35.819
 So to quote Smith again,

00:07:36.239 --> 00:07:39.079
 Discipleship is more a matter of hungering and thirsting

00:07:39.079 --> 00:07:40.859
 than of knowing and believing.

00:07:41.819 --> 00:07:42.259
 And he asks,

00:07:42.579 --> 00:07:44.339
 like, what if instead of starting from the assumption

00:07:44.339 --> 00:07:46.539
 that human beings are thinking things,

00:07:47.079 --> 00:07:48.339
 we started from the conviction

00:07:48.339 --> 00:07:51.699
 that human beings are first and foremost lovers?

00:07:53.139 --> 00:07:55.560
 How would that change our approach to discipleship

00:07:55.560 --> 00:07:58.099
 and Christian formation, he asks.

00:07:59.099 --> 00:08:00.680
 The question I want us to consider today

00:08:00.680 --> 00:08:02.259
 is not merely what should we know

00:08:02.259 --> 00:08:03.799
 and what should we believe,

00:08:04.360 --> 00:08:05.439
 but what are we hungering for?

00:08:05.500 --> 00:08:06.579
 What are we thirsting for?

00:08:06.579 --> 00:08:08.779
 What are our hearts inclined towards?

00:08:08.839 --> 00:08:09.399
 Or more simply,

00:08:10.259 --> 00:08:10.939
 what do we love?

00:08:11.800 --> 00:08:13.419
 What do we love?

00:08:13.459 --> 00:08:14.800
 And maybe your initial thought is,

00:08:14.899 --> 00:08:15.740
 well, I love a lot of things.

00:08:15.800 --> 00:08:16.300
 I love sushi.

00:08:16.439 --> 00:08:18.339
 I love movies, dogs, volleyball.

00:08:18.519 --> 00:08:19.339
 I love to travel.

00:08:20.199 --> 00:08:23.000
 And these things may all be good and true and fine.

00:08:23.159 --> 00:08:24.939
 Sure, we all have lots of lesser loves,

00:08:25.339 --> 00:08:26.000
 relative loves,

00:08:26.079 --> 00:08:28.060
 but my question is,

00:08:28.139 --> 00:08:29.079
 what do we love first?

00:08:29.819 --> 00:08:31.519
 What do we love most?

00:08:31.519 --> 00:08:34.559
 And this may seem like a pointless exercise,

00:08:34.819 --> 00:08:35.799
 like does it really matter?

00:08:36.279 --> 00:08:37.360
 Or who cares?

00:08:38.179 --> 00:08:39.799
 But while this might seem like

00:08:39.799 --> 00:08:42.960
 an unnecessarily abstract question to consider,

00:08:43.559 --> 00:08:44.259
 deep down,

00:08:44.879 --> 00:08:46.480
 aren't we all looking for something

00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:49.919
 or someone ultimate to love?

00:08:50.799 --> 00:08:52.960
 To devote our hearts to something

00:08:52.960 --> 00:08:54.659
 or someone ultimate to orient

00:08:54.659 --> 00:08:56.039
 our whole lives around.

00:08:56.639 --> 00:08:58.500
 An ultimate love that can rightly order

00:08:58.500 --> 00:09:00.019
 all our other loves.

00:09:00.019 --> 00:09:01.899
 That's what we need.

00:09:02.000 --> 00:09:02.519
 Think about it.

00:09:02.919 --> 00:09:03.980
 You might love dogs,

00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:06.559
 but isn't it important to love your neighbor

00:09:06.559 --> 00:09:07.600
 more than a dog?

00:09:08.079 --> 00:09:08.179
 Right?

00:09:08.240 --> 00:09:09.939
 Like, what would it say about you

00:09:09.939 --> 00:09:11.299
 and what kind of world would this be

00:09:11.299 --> 00:09:13.679
 if it was okay to love a dog

00:09:13.679 --> 00:09:14.779
 as much as a person?

00:09:15.279 --> 00:09:15.519
 Right?

00:09:16.179 --> 00:09:17.259
 Or even amongst people,

00:09:17.360 --> 00:09:19.539
 isn't it more important to love your mother

00:09:19.539 --> 00:09:21.559
 more than your next door neighbor?

00:09:22.379 --> 00:09:23.939
 And we could go on and on and on,

00:09:24.059 --> 00:09:24.759
 but my question is,

00:09:24.819 --> 00:09:26.840
 all the way down this chain of loves,

00:09:27.220 --> 00:09:29.539
 who or what should we love the most?

00:09:29.539 --> 00:09:31.419
 What ultimate love should condition

00:09:31.419 --> 00:09:33.539
 all our other affections?

00:09:34.500 --> 00:09:35.899
 Because if we haven't identified

00:09:35.899 --> 00:09:37.500
 this most foundational,

00:09:38.019 --> 00:09:38.860
 all-consuming love

00:09:38.860 --> 00:09:41.279
 that assumes first place in our hearts,

00:09:41.360 --> 00:09:42.299
 then our lives are basically

00:09:42.299 --> 00:09:44.079
 just being lived on a whim,

00:09:44.939 --> 00:09:47.919
 on unexamined, subjective intuitions

00:09:47.919 --> 00:09:49.099
 about what is right and good

00:09:49.099 --> 00:09:50.480
 and true and worthy.

00:09:51.259 --> 00:09:53.000
 And maybe some of us are okay

00:09:53.000 --> 00:09:55.139
 with this kind of relativistic way

00:09:55.139 --> 00:09:56.319
 of living in this world,

00:09:56.320 --> 00:09:57.140
 and we're not convinced

00:09:57.140 --> 00:09:58.460
 it really matters what we love

00:09:58.460 --> 00:09:59.879
 as long as we enjoy it

00:09:59.879 --> 00:10:01.220
 and nobody gets hurt.

00:10:02.140 --> 00:10:03.200
 But according to Jesus,

00:10:03.860 --> 00:10:05.140
 it absolutely matters.

00:10:05.460 --> 00:10:06.660
 It absolutely matters

00:10:06.660 --> 00:10:09.260
 what your highest and greatest love is.

00:10:09.379 --> 00:10:09.860
 And in fact,

00:10:09.940 --> 00:10:11.200
 the whole of the Christian scriptures

00:10:11.840 --> 00:10:13.820
 bear witness to the fact

00:10:13.820 --> 00:10:14.820
 that it is precisely

00:10:14.820 --> 00:10:16.760
 because humanity has loved

00:10:16.760 --> 00:10:17.879
 the wrong things

00:10:17.879 --> 00:10:19.379
 that this world

00:10:19.379 --> 00:10:20.539
 is as messed up

00:10:20.539 --> 00:10:21.360
 as it is.

00:10:22.200 --> 00:10:22.840
 See, it's not just

00:10:22.840 --> 00:10:24.120
 that we haven't loved enough.

00:10:24.279 --> 00:10:25.000
 It's not just like,

00:10:25.279 --> 00:10:25.539
 you know,

00:10:25.620 --> 00:10:27.480
 we just needed to put more love,

00:10:27.600 --> 00:10:28.580
 more positive energy

00:10:28.580 --> 00:10:29.299
 into the world.

00:10:29.360 --> 00:10:30.059
 No, the problem

00:10:30.059 --> 00:10:31.720
 is that we failed

00:10:31.720 --> 00:10:33.159
 to love rightly.

00:10:34.159 --> 00:10:35.500
 The problem with the world

00:10:35.500 --> 00:10:36.639
 is our misordered,

00:10:37.019 --> 00:10:38.559
 misdirected love.

00:10:38.899 --> 00:10:39.500
 It's that all of us

00:10:39.500 --> 00:10:39.899
 have been looking

00:10:39.899 --> 00:10:40.379
 for something

00:10:40.379 --> 00:10:41.059
 to devote

00:10:41.059 --> 00:10:42.079
 all of our heart,

00:10:42.220 --> 00:10:43.439
 soul, mind, and strength

00:10:43.439 --> 00:10:44.959
 to something most worthy

00:10:44.959 --> 00:10:45.919
 to live for,

00:10:46.000 --> 00:10:46.600
 something most worthy

00:10:46.600 --> 00:10:48.039
 to die for.

00:10:49.000 --> 00:10:49.759
 And yet we've set

00:10:49.759 --> 00:10:50.799
 our affections upon

00:10:50.799 --> 00:10:52.840
 all kinds of created things,

00:10:52.980 --> 00:10:53.120
 sure,

00:10:53.199 --> 00:10:54.500
 even some really good things,

00:10:54.579 --> 00:10:55.319
 but things

00:10:55.319 --> 00:10:56.799
 that were never designed

00:10:56.799 --> 00:10:57.699
 to bear the weight

00:10:57.699 --> 00:10:58.959
 of that kind of love

00:10:58.959 --> 00:11:00.100
 and worship

00:11:00.100 --> 00:11:01.000
 and adoration.

00:11:01.220 --> 00:11:01.659
 And this is what

00:11:01.659 --> 00:11:02.919
 the Bible calls sin.

00:11:04.159 --> 00:11:05.699
 And this has only ever led

00:11:05.699 --> 00:11:06.480
 to competition

00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:07.559
 and conflict

00:11:07.559 --> 00:11:08.220
 and chaos.

00:11:08.379 --> 00:11:09.399
 You have one tribe saying,

00:11:09.399 --> 00:11:10.659
 I love this

00:11:10.659 --> 00:11:11.720
 with all my heart,

00:11:11.860 --> 00:11:12.980
 soul, mind, and strength.

00:11:13.299 --> 00:11:14.319
 Another tribe says,

00:11:14.539 --> 00:11:15.439
 I love this

00:11:15.439 --> 00:11:16.600
 with all my heart,

00:11:16.759 --> 00:11:18.279
 soul, mind, and strength.

00:11:18.360 --> 00:11:19.100
 And what happens?

00:11:19.720 --> 00:11:20.439
 What happens?

00:11:21.340 --> 00:11:22.079
 They go to war

00:11:22.079 --> 00:11:23.519
 because of their

00:11:23.519 --> 00:11:25.340
 conflicting ultimate loves,

00:11:25.779 --> 00:11:26.519
 which they are willing

00:11:26.519 --> 00:11:27.259
 to fight for,

00:11:27.539 --> 00:11:28.059
 kill for,

00:11:28.120 --> 00:11:28.779
 and die for

00:11:28.779 --> 00:11:30.299
 because they've made

00:11:30.299 --> 00:11:31.399
 these conflicting loves

00:11:31.399 --> 00:11:32.000
 ultimate.

00:11:33.860 --> 00:11:34.419
 And so some,

00:11:34.659 --> 00:11:35.799
 particularly modern,

00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:37.460
 secular Westerners,

00:11:37.879 --> 00:11:38.679
 have suggested that

00:11:38.679 --> 00:11:39.500
 maybe the solution

00:11:39.500 --> 00:11:40.139
 is we should just

00:11:40.139 --> 00:11:41.259
 not love anything

00:11:41.259 --> 00:11:42.399
 with all our heart,

00:11:42.599 --> 00:11:43.399
 all our soul,

00:11:43.659 --> 00:11:44.259
 all our mind,

00:11:44.319 --> 00:11:44.759
 and all our strength.

00:11:44.819 --> 00:11:45.339
 Maybe we should just

00:11:45.339 --> 00:11:46.579
 love with moderation.

00:11:48.000 --> 00:11:48.719
 And in one sense,

00:11:48.799 --> 00:11:49.039
 they're right.

00:11:49.139 --> 00:11:50.239
 Nothing in this world

00:11:50.239 --> 00:11:50.919
 is worthy

00:11:50.919 --> 00:11:52.139
 of our ultimate,

00:11:52.519 --> 00:11:53.759
 untempered love.

00:11:55.039 --> 00:11:55.919
 But the solution

00:11:55.919 --> 00:11:57.559
 can't be just to dial down

00:11:57.559 --> 00:11:58.500
 how much we love

00:11:58.500 --> 00:11:59.339
 because not only will that

00:11:59.339 --> 00:12:00.500
 never actually solve

00:12:00.500 --> 00:12:01.879
 the problem of toxic

00:12:01.879 --> 00:12:03.639
 polarization and tribalism,

00:12:03.639 --> 00:12:04.740
 but my question is,

00:12:04.819 --> 00:12:05.939
 is a moderate love

00:12:05.939 --> 00:12:07.699
 the only kind of love

00:12:07.699 --> 00:12:08.960
 that was ever meant

00:12:08.960 --> 00:12:10.000
 to exist?

00:12:11.259 --> 00:12:11.960
 Is the world

00:12:11.960 --> 00:12:12.799
 truly better

00:12:12.799 --> 00:12:14.039
 without an all-your-heart,

00:12:14.179 --> 00:12:15.000
 soul, mind,

00:12:15.059 --> 00:12:15.519
 and strength

00:12:15.519 --> 00:12:16.519
 kind of a love?

00:12:16.580 --> 00:12:17.080
 Is there really

00:12:17.080 --> 00:12:19.139
 nothing in all of reality

00:12:19.139 --> 00:12:21.500
 that we can conceive of

00:12:21.500 --> 00:12:23.059
 that might be worthy

00:12:23.059 --> 00:12:23.840
 of that kind

00:12:23.840 --> 00:12:25.939
 of all-consuming love?

00:12:27.179 --> 00:12:28.939
 In our scripture passage today,

00:12:29.019 --> 00:12:30.240
 God's word reveals to us

00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:31.259
 something,

00:12:31.440 --> 00:12:33.519
 someone most worthy

00:12:33.519 --> 00:12:35.620
 of this exact kind of love.

00:12:36.320 --> 00:12:37.200
 Someone who is not

00:12:37.200 --> 00:12:38.039
 of this world

00:12:38.039 --> 00:12:38.779
 and yet came

00:12:38.779 --> 00:12:40.899
 into this broken world.

00:12:41.779 --> 00:12:42.960
 And this is the big idea today.

00:12:43.240 --> 00:12:44.340
 The life-giving Lord

00:12:44.340 --> 00:12:45.940
 demands and deserves

00:12:45.940 --> 00:12:46.460
 our love.

00:12:47.159 --> 00:12:48.259
 The life-giving Lord

00:12:48.259 --> 00:12:49.560
 demands and deserves

00:12:49.560 --> 00:12:50.279
 our love.

00:12:50.360 --> 00:12:50.940
 Now, where we are

00:12:50.940 --> 00:12:51.620
 in Mark's gospel,

00:12:51.740 --> 00:12:52.460
 here in chapter 12,

00:12:52.560 --> 00:12:53.100
 in the passages,

00:12:53.440 --> 00:12:53.580
 you know,

00:12:53.620 --> 00:12:54.379
 right before the text

00:12:54.379 --> 00:12:55.159
 that was read today,

00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:56.480
 Jesus has just been

00:12:56.480 --> 00:12:57.419
 questioned by

00:12:57.419 --> 00:12:58.659
 the religious leaders

00:12:58.659 --> 00:12:59.879
 regarding various questions

00:12:59.879 --> 00:13:00.960
 of the Jewish law,

00:13:01.080 --> 00:13:01.860
 questions about politics.

00:13:01.980 --> 00:13:03.000
 Should we pay taxes

00:13:03.000 --> 00:13:03.840
 to a foreign emperor

00:13:03.840 --> 00:13:04.779
 like Caesar?

00:13:04.980 --> 00:13:06.179
 Questions about marriage

00:13:06.179 --> 00:13:06.840
 and the afterlife.

00:13:06.960 --> 00:13:08.539
 If a woman loses her husband

00:13:08.539 --> 00:13:09.159
 and remarries,

00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:10.720
 who will she be married to

00:13:10.720 --> 00:13:11.840
 in the age to come?

00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:12.840
 Tough questions,

00:13:13.179 --> 00:13:13.720
 tough questions

00:13:13.720 --> 00:13:14.759
 that raised a lot of debate

00:13:14.759 --> 00:13:16.379
 and required tons of knowledge

00:13:16.379 --> 00:13:17.399
 about the Hebrew scriptures.

00:13:17.980 --> 00:13:18.419
 But of course,

00:13:18.500 --> 00:13:19.559
 none of these questions

00:13:19.559 --> 00:13:21.960
 could stump or trap Jesus.

00:13:22.139 --> 00:13:23.299
 They only became opportunities

00:13:23.299 --> 00:13:24.639
 for him to demonstrate

00:13:24.639 --> 00:13:25.159
 his knowledge

00:13:25.159 --> 00:13:25.879
 and his wisdom

00:13:25.879 --> 00:13:26.860
 and his high regard

00:13:26.860 --> 00:13:28.039
 for the Hebrew scriptures.

00:13:28.039 --> 00:13:30.139
 And so in our text,

00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:31.399
 verse 28 says

00:13:31.399 --> 00:13:32.199
 that one of the teachers

00:13:32.199 --> 00:13:32.539
 of the law

00:13:32.539 --> 00:13:33.559
 came and heard them debating

00:13:33.559 --> 00:13:34.779
 and noticing

00:13:34.779 --> 00:13:36.139
 that Jesus had given them

00:13:36.139 --> 00:13:37.000
 good answer

00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:37.819
 after good answer

00:13:37.819 --> 00:13:38.419
 after good answer.

00:13:38.519 --> 00:13:39.959
 He had one big final

00:13:39.959 --> 00:13:41.419
 and foundational thing

00:13:41.419 --> 00:13:42.179
 he wanted to hear

00:13:42.179 --> 00:13:42.620
 from Jesus.

00:13:42.740 --> 00:13:43.319
 No more traps,

00:13:43.439 --> 00:13:44.559
 no more trying to stump him,

00:13:44.620 --> 00:13:45.079
 just trying to get

00:13:45.079 --> 00:13:45.480
 to the bottom

00:13:45.480 --> 00:13:46.379
 of who Jesus is

00:13:46.379 --> 00:13:47.360
 and what he's about.

00:13:47.620 --> 00:13:48.579
 And it says he asked him,

00:13:49.339 --> 00:13:50.319
 of all the commandments,

00:13:51.459 --> 00:13:53.099
 which is the most important?

00:13:53.899 --> 00:13:56.439
 Like of all the 613 commandments

00:13:56.440 --> 00:13:57.240
 in the Torah,

00:13:57.600 --> 00:13:59.560
 which was the most important?

00:14:00.940 --> 00:14:01.760
 And so Jesus being

00:14:01.760 --> 00:14:02.280
 a faithful,

00:14:02.680 --> 00:14:03.820
 orthodox Jewish teacher,

00:14:03.900 --> 00:14:04.600
 he rightly cites

00:14:04.600 --> 00:14:05.280
 and paraphrases

00:14:05.280 --> 00:14:06.460
 the very words of Moses

00:14:06.460 --> 00:14:08.260
 from Deuteronomy chapter 6,

00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:09.780
 the central affirmation

00:14:09.780 --> 00:14:11.000
 of the Jewish faith.

00:14:11.100 --> 00:14:11.500
 We call this

00:14:11.500 --> 00:14:12.180
 the great Shema,

00:14:12.360 --> 00:14:13.200
 which means to hear

00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:14.220
 or to listen.

00:14:14.560 --> 00:14:15.120
 Verse 29,

00:14:15.300 --> 00:14:15.660
 Jesus says,

00:14:15.760 --> 00:14:16.740
 the most important one,

00:14:16.800 --> 00:14:17.380
 answered Jesus,

00:14:18.300 --> 00:14:18.940
 is this.

00:14:19.580 --> 00:14:20.680
 Hear, O Israel,

00:14:21.180 --> 00:14:22.420
 the Lord our God,

00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:23.380
 the Lord is one.

00:14:24.100 --> 00:14:25.080
 Love the Lord your God

00:14:25.080 --> 00:14:25.900
 with all your heart

00:14:25.900 --> 00:14:27.000
 and with all your soul

00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:27.800
 and with all your mind

00:14:27.800 --> 00:14:29.340
 and with all your strength.

00:14:29.460 --> 00:14:30.240
 And Jesus even cites

00:14:30.240 --> 00:14:31.400
 Leviticus chapter 19

00:14:31.400 --> 00:14:32.420
 to throw in a bonus,

00:14:32.780 --> 00:14:34.259
 second place commandment,

00:14:34.320 --> 00:14:34.840
 verse 31.

00:14:35.540 --> 00:14:36.440
 The second is this,

00:14:36.820 --> 00:14:37.400
 love your neighbor

00:14:37.400 --> 00:14:38.560
 as yourself.

00:14:38.840 --> 00:14:40.040
 There is no commandment

00:14:40.040 --> 00:14:41.639
 greater than these.

00:14:42.900 --> 00:14:43.800
 And then upon hearing

00:14:43.800 --> 00:14:44.520
 Jesus' answer,

00:14:44.600 --> 00:14:45.379
 this teacher agrees.

00:14:45.780 --> 00:14:46.420
 In verse 32,

00:14:46.500 --> 00:14:46.800
 he agrees,

00:14:46.900 --> 00:14:47.740
 well said, teacher,

00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:48.759
 the man replied.

00:14:49.180 --> 00:14:50.480
 You are right in saying

00:14:50.480 --> 00:14:51.379
 that God is one

00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:53.020
 and there is no other

00:14:53.019 --> 00:14:53.759
 but him.

00:14:53.840 --> 00:14:54.379
 To love him

00:14:54.379 --> 00:14:55.299
 with all your heart,

00:14:55.480 --> 00:14:56.480
 with all your understanding

00:14:56.480 --> 00:14:57.419
 and with all your strength

00:14:57.419 --> 00:14:58.220
 and to love your neighbor

00:14:58.220 --> 00:14:59.120
 as yourself

00:14:59.120 --> 00:15:00.519
 is more important

00:15:00.519 --> 00:15:02.740
 than all the burnt offerings

00:15:02.740 --> 00:15:03.939
 and sacrifices.

00:15:05.399 --> 00:15:06.639
 Now if you are a Christian,

00:15:06.759 --> 00:15:07.480
 even if you are not

00:15:07.480 --> 00:15:08.639
 a Christian today

00:15:08.639 --> 00:15:09.439
 here in this room,

00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:10.399
 most of us probably

00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:12.000
 won't find this exchange

00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:12.659
 between Jesus

00:15:12.659 --> 00:15:14.059
 and the teacher of the law

00:15:14.059 --> 00:15:15.439
 to be very surprising.

00:15:16.279 --> 00:15:16.860
 And in fact,

00:15:17.059 --> 00:15:17.799
 this is probably what

00:15:17.799 --> 00:15:18.579
 so many of us,

00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:19.340
 Christian or not,

00:15:19.539 --> 00:15:20.299
 love and admire

00:15:20.299 --> 00:15:21.639
 about the person of Jesus.

00:15:21.639 --> 00:15:22.539
 He keeps the main thing

00:15:22.539 --> 00:15:23.480
 the main thing, right?

00:15:23.919 --> 00:15:24.740
 He keeps it simple,

00:15:25.019 --> 00:15:25.840
 love God most

00:15:25.840 --> 00:15:27.360
 and then love your neighbor

00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:28.019
 as yourself.

00:15:28.080 --> 00:15:28.480
 And we're like,

00:15:28.779 --> 00:15:29.500
 yes, of course,

00:15:29.620 --> 00:15:30.279
 love is the way,

00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:31.480
 more important than all

00:15:31.480 --> 00:15:32.299
 the burnt offerings

00:15:32.299 --> 00:15:33.519
 and sacrifices.

00:15:34.840 --> 00:15:35.620
 And I think this,

00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:36.899
 I think the tendency

00:15:36.899 --> 00:15:37.779
 for many of us,

00:15:37.899 --> 00:15:39.819
 modern Western readers

00:15:39.819 --> 00:15:40.360
 of scripture

00:15:40.360 --> 00:15:41.559
 is to kind of read this

00:15:41.559 --> 00:15:42.699
 in a liberating,

00:15:43.220 --> 00:15:44.059
 sentimental way.

00:15:44.860 --> 00:15:46.100
 Maybe even as if

00:15:46.100 --> 00:15:46.740
 Jesus is saying,

00:15:46.860 --> 00:15:48.000
 there is only one command

00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:49.539
 we really need to obey

00:15:49.539 --> 00:15:50.720
 and all the burnt offerings

00:15:50.720 --> 00:15:51.500
 and sacrifices

00:15:51.500 --> 00:15:52.300
 and other commandments

00:15:52.300 --> 00:15:53.240
 don't really matter

00:15:53.240 --> 00:15:54.860
 as long as we love God

00:15:54.860 --> 00:15:55.700
 in our hearts.

00:15:56.220 --> 00:15:57.500
 Like, oh, how nice of Jesus

00:15:57.500 --> 00:15:58.860
 to just simplify it

00:15:58.860 --> 00:16:00.300
 and bring it back to love.

00:16:00.340 --> 00:16:01.080
 We love that, right?

00:16:02.600 --> 00:16:03.300
 But if this is how

00:16:03.300 --> 00:16:04.259
 we're reading the passage

00:16:04.259 --> 00:16:06.060
 and Jesus' answer

00:16:06.060 --> 00:16:07.779
 about the most important commandment,

00:16:08.840 --> 00:16:09.519
 then I don't think

00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:10.379
 it's hit us

00:16:10.379 --> 00:16:11.920
 like it's supposed to.

00:16:12.820 --> 00:16:13.639
 Look with me

00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:14.800
 at verse 34,

00:16:14.920 --> 00:16:16.060
 how verse 34 concludes.

00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:17.500
 It says,

00:16:17.600 --> 00:16:18.800
 after Jesus gives this answer

00:16:18.800 --> 00:16:19.680
 and they have this exchange,

00:16:19.679 --> 00:16:20.000
 it says,

00:16:20.399 --> 00:16:21.439
 and from then on,

00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:22.639
 no one dared

00:16:22.639 --> 00:16:25.299
 ask him any more questions.

00:16:26.599 --> 00:16:27.419
 Like when the crowds

00:16:27.419 --> 00:16:28.179
 and the teachers of the law

00:16:28.179 --> 00:16:29.179
 heard Jesus' answer,

00:16:29.419 --> 00:16:29.859
 they were like,

00:16:29.939 --> 00:16:30.799
 oh, how sweet,

00:16:31.079 --> 00:16:31.500
 bravo,

00:16:31.679 --> 00:16:32.639
 great answer, Jesus.

00:16:32.759 --> 00:16:33.939
 Thank you for simplifying

00:16:33.939 --> 00:16:34.959
 and condensing

00:16:34.959 --> 00:16:36.579
 the 613 commands

00:16:36.579 --> 00:16:37.699
 of the Torah for us.

00:16:37.779 --> 00:16:37.919
 No,

00:16:38.120 --> 00:16:39.099
 they seemed to be hit

00:16:39.099 --> 00:16:40.279
 by the weight

00:16:40.279 --> 00:16:42.399
 of what Jesus was saying.

00:16:43.839 --> 00:16:44.019
 See,

00:16:44.059 --> 00:16:45.039
 when Jesus gave his answer,

00:16:45.099 --> 00:16:46.219
 he wasn't actually lowering

00:16:46.219 --> 00:16:47.699
 the bar of Moses' law.

00:16:47.700 --> 00:16:47.960
 No,

00:16:48.080 --> 00:16:49.680
 he was actually demonstrating

00:16:49.680 --> 00:16:51.340
 how shockingly high

00:16:51.340 --> 00:16:53.360
 the bar truly was.

00:16:54.580 --> 00:16:55.840
 Love the Lord your God

00:16:55.840 --> 00:16:56.980
 with all your heart,

00:16:57.300 --> 00:16:57.540
 soul,

00:16:57.700 --> 00:16:57.879
 mind,

00:16:57.920 --> 00:16:58.300
 and strength

00:16:58.300 --> 00:16:59.740
 isn't some lower standard.

00:16:59.840 --> 00:17:00.800
 It's actually the highest

00:17:00.800 --> 00:17:01.560
 of standards,

00:17:01.680 --> 00:17:02.420
 the most difficult

00:17:02.420 --> 00:17:03.520
 of all the laws

00:17:03.520 --> 00:17:04.200
 and commands

00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:04.779
 in the Torah.

00:17:06.059 --> 00:17:06.240
 You know,

00:17:06.299 --> 00:17:08.500
 like to the relativist liberals

00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:10.180
 who maybe want to advise

00:17:10.180 --> 00:17:10.700
 and suggest

00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:11.220
 a moderate,

00:17:11.440 --> 00:17:11.819
 tempered,

00:17:11.880 --> 00:17:12.700
 or generalized,

00:17:13.160 --> 00:17:14.360
 ambiguous kind of love

00:17:14.359 --> 00:17:15.379
 and sentimentalism

00:17:15.379 --> 00:17:16.379
 that doesn't pay attention

00:17:16.379 --> 00:17:17.159
 to the specifics

00:17:17.159 --> 00:17:18.240
 of God's will.

00:17:18.339 --> 00:17:18.899
 Jesus was saying,

00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:19.199
 no,

00:17:19.740 --> 00:17:20.259
 love the Lord

00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:21.919
 with all your heart,

00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:22.399
 soul,

00:17:22.519 --> 00:17:22.679
 mind,

00:17:22.719 --> 00:17:23.139
 and strength,

00:17:23.199 --> 00:17:24.279
 like in every detail

00:17:24.279 --> 00:17:24.959
 of your lives

00:17:24.959 --> 00:17:25.979
 through obedience

00:17:25.979 --> 00:17:27.059
 to every jot

00:17:27.059 --> 00:17:28.179
 and tittle of the law.

00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:29.419
 Out of the whole

00:17:29.419 --> 00:17:30.299
 of your soul,

00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:31.839
 met with every breath

00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:32.839
 and the whole of your life,

00:17:32.879 --> 00:17:33.679
 with all your energy,

00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:34.339
 vitality,

00:17:34.500 --> 00:17:35.279
 and spirit.

00:17:35.740 --> 00:17:36.179
 Out of the whole

00:17:36.179 --> 00:17:36.599
 of your mind,

00:17:36.659 --> 00:17:37.439
 with all your intellect

00:17:37.439 --> 00:17:39.379
 and all your rational capacities,

00:17:39.559 --> 00:17:40.459
 and even out of the whole

00:17:40.459 --> 00:17:41.099
 of your strength,

00:17:41.159 --> 00:17:42.339
 meaning all of your embodied

00:17:42.339 --> 00:17:43.959
 might and ability,

00:17:44.119 --> 00:17:44.980
 and even with all

00:17:44.980 --> 00:17:46.240
 your material resources,

00:17:46.439 --> 00:17:48.959
 this was an all-demanding love.

00:17:49.779 --> 00:17:50.839
 And this was equally disturbing

00:17:50.839 --> 00:17:52.019
 to the religious conservatives

00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:53.279
 who prided themselves

00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:54.619
 on following all the rules

00:17:54.619 --> 00:17:55.819
 and devoting all the details

00:17:55.819 --> 00:17:56.619
 of their lives

00:17:56.619 --> 00:17:57.480
 to following the law

00:17:57.480 --> 00:17:58.480
 because Jesus was saying,

00:17:58.839 --> 00:17:59.679
 external obedience

00:17:59.679 --> 00:18:01.599
 is not enough.

00:18:02.599 --> 00:18:04.500
 You actually have to love me.

00:18:05.379 --> 00:18:06.639
 Like out of your whole heart,

00:18:06.699 --> 00:18:08.000
 meaning the very command center

00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:09.599
 of all your affections

00:18:09.599 --> 00:18:10.339
 and desires

00:18:10.339 --> 00:18:11.179
 and commitments,

00:18:11.180 --> 00:18:12.580
 Jesus was saying to them

00:18:12.580 --> 00:18:13.440
 and he is saying to us

00:18:13.440 --> 00:18:14.580
 that the most important command

00:18:14.580 --> 00:18:15.480
 upon us

00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:17.340
 is a demand for the whole,

00:18:17.940 --> 00:18:19.180
 the whole of who we are,

00:18:19.560 --> 00:18:20.840
 inside and out,

00:18:21.400 --> 00:18:22.240
 in our actions

00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:23.400
 and in our affections,

00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:24.220
 in our dealings

00:18:24.220 --> 00:18:25.100
 and in our feelings.

00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:27.240
 Do you understand

00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:27.740
 what he's saying?

00:18:28.860 --> 00:18:29.720
 Do you understand

00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:31.259
 what a show-stopping answer

00:18:31.259 --> 00:18:31.820
 this was

00:18:31.820 --> 00:18:34.320
 for Jesus' Jewish listeners?

00:18:35.600 --> 00:18:36.340
 Can you begin to feel

00:18:36.340 --> 00:18:36.840
 the weight

00:18:36.840 --> 00:18:38.380
 of this command

00:18:38.380 --> 00:18:39.380
 that we have perhaps

00:18:39.380 --> 00:18:41.880
 become overly familiar with?

00:18:42.880 --> 00:18:43.780
 He's demanding

00:18:43.780 --> 00:18:46.160
 everything of us.

00:18:47.020 --> 00:18:48.300
 Not some generalized,

00:18:48.720 --> 00:18:49.160
 unthinking,

00:18:49.360 --> 00:18:49.760
 sentimental,

00:18:50.100 --> 00:18:50.460
 yeah, sure,

00:18:50.560 --> 00:18:51.100
 I love God

00:18:51.100 --> 00:18:51.880
 kind of a love.

00:18:52.920 --> 00:18:53.760
 And not even the most

00:18:53.760 --> 00:18:54.380
 meticulous,

00:18:54.780 --> 00:18:55.580
 mere obedience.

00:18:56.880 --> 00:18:58.180
 This was the greatest

00:18:58.180 --> 00:18:59.460
 and most important law

00:18:59.460 --> 00:19:01.200
 to love the life-giving Lord,

00:19:01.460 --> 00:19:01.780
 Yahweh,

00:19:01.860 --> 00:19:02.960
 the maker of heaven and earth.

00:19:03.420 --> 00:19:04.940
 To love this giver of life

00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:06.240
 with the whole of the lives

00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:08.400
 he's generously given to us.

00:19:09.559 --> 00:19:10.420
 And my question is,

00:19:10.980 --> 00:19:11.980
 do any of us

00:19:11.980 --> 00:19:14.000
 love God this much?

00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:16.000
 Has anyone here

00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:16.860
 loved their maker

00:19:16.860 --> 00:19:17.980
 out of the whole

00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:18.559
 of their heart,

00:19:18.640 --> 00:19:19.360
 out of the whole

00:19:19.360 --> 00:19:19.980
 of their soul,

00:19:20.059 --> 00:19:20.460
 out of the whole

00:19:20.460 --> 00:19:20.860
 of their mind,

00:19:20.900 --> 00:19:21.680
 and out of the whole

00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:22.460
 of their strength

00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:23.720
 with every second

00:19:23.720 --> 00:19:25.240
 of their existence?

00:19:26.980 --> 00:19:28.279
 What God demands of us

00:19:28.279 --> 00:19:28.980
 is a terribly,

00:19:29.440 --> 00:19:30.600
 terribly high standard.

00:19:31.340 --> 00:19:32.140
 And rightly so

00:19:32.140 --> 00:19:33.360
 because he is God.

00:19:33.600 --> 00:19:34.600
 He is the Lord.

00:19:34.599 --> 00:19:35.699
 It is he who has made us

00:19:35.699 --> 00:19:36.639
 and not we ourselves.

00:19:36.959 --> 00:19:37.879
 As the Shema says,

00:19:38.119 --> 00:19:39.199
 the Lord Yahweh,

00:19:39.319 --> 00:19:40.019
 the I am,

00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:41.779
 our God Yahweh is one.

00:19:41.919 --> 00:19:43.279
 That means he is indivisible,

00:19:43.619 --> 00:19:44.000
 absolute,

00:19:44.179 --> 00:19:44.859
 the one and only,

00:19:45.159 --> 00:19:45.899
 without rival,

00:19:46.039 --> 00:19:47.199
 the maker and sustainer

00:19:47.199 --> 00:19:47.919
 of all of life,

00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:49.279
 eternally pre-existing

00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:50.419
 all things in glory

00:19:50.419 --> 00:19:51.379
 and honor and power,

00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:52.899
 worthy of all the love

00:19:52.899 --> 00:19:54.359
 that ever existed.

00:19:55.899 --> 00:19:57.219
 And not because he's

00:19:57.219 --> 00:19:58.159
 an egomaniac,

00:19:58.240 --> 00:19:59.879
 but because he's God.

00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:01.919
 He's the only one

00:20:01.919 --> 00:20:03.019
 that can bear the weight

00:20:03.019 --> 00:20:04.259
 of an all your heart,

00:20:04.359 --> 00:20:04.920
 soul, mind,

00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:05.400
 and strength

00:20:05.400 --> 00:20:06.200
 kind of a love.

00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:07.960
 Anything else

00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:09.039
 we try to set

00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:09.940
 that kind of love upon

00:20:09.940 --> 00:20:11.200
 will ultimately crumble

00:20:11.200 --> 00:20:12.359
 under the weight

00:20:12.359 --> 00:20:13.480
 of such love

00:20:13.480 --> 00:20:14.879
 and eventually disappoint us

00:20:14.879 --> 00:20:15.960
 and then discourage us

00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:17.359
 from loving again.

00:20:18.400 --> 00:20:19.019
 Like, think about it.

00:20:19.059 --> 00:20:20.559
 Maybe your ultimate love

00:20:20.559 --> 00:20:21.559
 is your spouse

00:20:21.559 --> 00:20:22.759
 or your romantic partner

00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:24.160
 or maybe your love

00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:24.779
 is set upon

00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:26.720
 that future longed-for partner

00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:27.559
 that you hope to have

00:20:27.559 --> 00:20:28.160
 if you're single.

00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:30.340
 But even as great

00:20:30.340 --> 00:20:31.400
 as that person may be,

00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:32.100
 will they ever be

00:20:32.100 --> 00:20:33.960
 the most supremely worthy

00:20:33.960 --> 00:20:36.060
 of your undying affection?

00:20:37.400 --> 00:20:38.500
 Is it not possible

00:20:38.500 --> 00:20:39.540
 that they will let you down,

00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:41.000
 hurt you,

00:20:41.800 --> 00:20:42.360
 forsake you,

00:20:42.460 --> 00:20:43.580
 break your heart?

00:20:44.900 --> 00:20:45.920
 That is the danger

00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:47.800
 and the inevitable demise

00:20:47.800 --> 00:20:49.940
 of placing our wholehearted love

00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:52.560
 upon anything other than God,

00:20:52.680 --> 00:20:53.540
 the God who has promised

00:20:53.540 --> 00:20:54.700
 to never leave us

00:20:54.700 --> 00:20:56.220
 nor forsake us.

00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:58.000
 So you see,

00:20:58.079 --> 00:20:59.640
 this isn't some arbitrary command

00:20:59.640 --> 00:21:01.579
 issued by a megalomaniac God.

00:21:01.660 --> 00:21:02.620
 It's the only kind of

00:21:02.620 --> 00:21:04.600
 divine command and demand

00:21:04.600 --> 00:21:05.960
 that actually makes sense.

00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:08.299
 And it's absolutely imperative

00:21:08.299 --> 00:21:09.559
 for us to understand

00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:11.299
 if we desire to be citizens

00:21:11.299 --> 00:21:13.039
 in this God's kingdom.

00:21:14.539 --> 00:21:15.720
 But what's interesting here

00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:16.860
 is that even while the scribe

00:21:16.860 --> 00:21:17.880
 agrees with Jesus,

00:21:18.600 --> 00:21:19.259
 Jesus doesn't say,

00:21:19.380 --> 00:21:20.740
 nice, you got the answer right,

00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:21.460
 you're in.

00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:22.819
 No, he says in verse 34,

00:21:23.700 --> 00:21:24.700
 you are not far

00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:25.759
 from the kingdom of God.

00:21:26.920 --> 00:21:27.720
 Like you're close,

00:21:28.579 --> 00:21:29.660
 but you're not far,

00:21:30.220 --> 00:21:30.960
 but you're not in.

00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:31.440
 You're close,

00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:32.079
 but you're not in.

00:21:32.299 --> 00:21:32.960
 You're not far.

00:21:33.160 --> 00:21:33.480
 You're close,

00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:34.100
 but you're not in.

00:21:35.400 --> 00:21:36.279
 And this means that

00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:37.039
 it's not enough

00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:37.700
 to just agree

00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:39.339
 about the greatest commandment

00:21:39.339 --> 00:21:40.259
 to love the Lord our God

00:21:40.259 --> 00:21:40.799
 with all our heart,

00:21:40.900 --> 00:21:41.680
 soul, mind, and strength.

00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:42.759
 No, we also need to know

00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:46.660
 who exactly this Lord is.

00:21:47.480 --> 00:21:48.220
 And this brings us

00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:49.700
 to verses 35 to 37.

00:21:49.900 --> 00:21:50.059
 Here,

00:21:50.059 --> 00:21:52.099
 Jesus subtly indicates to them

00:21:52.099 --> 00:21:53.059
 who the Lord is

00:21:53.059 --> 00:21:54.440
 that demands and deserves

00:21:54.440 --> 00:21:54.960
 their love.

00:21:55.700 --> 00:21:56.259
 And it's him.

00:21:57.000 --> 00:21:58.059
 Yahweh come to them

00:21:58.059 --> 00:21:58.539
 in the flesh.

00:21:58.579 --> 00:21:59.339
 And notice how he goes about

00:21:59.339 --> 00:21:59.919
 making his case.

00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:00.759
 He doesn't give them

00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:03.200
 some irrefutable philosophical argument

00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:04.599
 or give them some grand,

00:22:04.700 --> 00:22:06.240
 massive, undeniable miracle.

00:22:06.359 --> 00:22:06.960
 No, he gives them

00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:07.919
 a Bible study.

00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:09.720
 Because for Jesus,

00:22:09.859 --> 00:22:10.839
 the scriptures bore

00:22:10.839 --> 00:22:12.419
 perfect, undeniable,

00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:13.559
 authoritative witness

00:22:13.559 --> 00:22:14.440
 to who he was

00:22:14.440 --> 00:22:16.840
 as both the messianic

00:22:16.840 --> 00:22:17.820
 royal son of David

00:22:17.820 --> 00:22:20.620
 and the Lord Yahweh

00:22:20.620 --> 00:22:21.480
 at the same time.

00:22:21.900 --> 00:22:22.620
 Look what he does here.

00:22:23.660 --> 00:22:23.900
 First,

00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:25.059
 in verse 35,

00:22:25.160 --> 00:22:25.920
 he recognizes that

00:22:25.920 --> 00:22:26.720
 everyone agrees

00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:27.880
 that the coming Messiah

00:22:27.880 --> 00:22:28.720
 would be a son

00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:29.640
 of the great King David.

00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:30.539
 A great figure

00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:31.680
 from Yahweh

00:22:31.680 --> 00:22:32.460
 would one day,

00:22:32.700 --> 00:22:33.820
 a great figure

00:22:33.820 --> 00:22:34.539
 whom Yahweh

00:22:34.539 --> 00:22:35.200
 would one day

00:22:35.200 --> 00:22:35.980
 enthrone

00:22:35.980 --> 00:22:37.180
 at his own right hand,

00:22:37.299 --> 00:22:38.320
 establish his kingdom forever,

00:22:38.440 --> 00:22:39.220
 put all his enemies

00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:39.900
 under his feet.

00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:41.140
 And yet,

00:22:41.180 --> 00:22:42.220
 there's one extra detail

00:22:42.220 --> 00:22:43.519
 that David himself mentions

00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:44.900
 in Psalm 110

00:22:44.900 --> 00:22:46.279
 that Jesus cites here

00:22:46.279 --> 00:22:48.039
 about this messianic

00:22:48.039 --> 00:22:48.480
 son of David.

00:22:48.599 --> 00:22:49.200
 David writes,

00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:50.440
 the Lord,

00:22:50.559 --> 00:22:51.079
 that is Yahweh,

00:22:51.400 --> 00:22:53.160
 Yahweh said to my Lord,

00:22:53.859 --> 00:22:54.799
 sit at my right hand

00:22:54.799 --> 00:22:55.920
 until I put your enemies

00:22:55.920 --> 00:22:57.059
 under your feet.

00:22:57.859 --> 00:22:59.059
 So what Jesus is asking

00:22:59.059 --> 00:23:00.859
 is how can David's Lord

00:23:00.859 --> 00:23:03.539
 also be his son?

00:23:04.579 --> 00:23:05.339
 Like no father,

00:23:05.480 --> 00:23:06.440
 especially no king

00:23:06.440 --> 00:23:08.160
 in a traditional Jewish society

00:23:08.160 --> 00:23:09.500
 would ever call their son

00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.519
 their Lord.

00:23:11.180 --> 00:23:11.460
 And yet,

00:23:11.539 --> 00:23:12.240
 that's what David

00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:12.859
 seems to do

00:23:12.859 --> 00:23:14.240
 in Psalm 110.

00:23:14.519 --> 00:23:15.479
 And Jesus is asking,

00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:16.659
 what's up with that?

00:23:17.379 --> 00:23:18.039
 What's up with that?

00:23:19.299 --> 00:23:19.619
 Now,

00:23:19.639 --> 00:23:20.219
 Jesus doesn't give

00:23:20.219 --> 00:23:20.879
 an answer here,

00:23:20.959 --> 00:23:21.479
 but he's giving

00:23:21.479 --> 00:23:22.259
 a huge hint.

00:23:22.639 --> 00:23:23.539
 A huge hint

00:23:23.539 --> 00:23:24.779
 as to who the Lord is.

00:23:25.559 --> 00:23:26.099
 A huge hint

00:23:26.099 --> 00:23:26.879
 as to what kind

00:23:26.879 --> 00:23:28.179
 of Lord he is.

00:23:28.479 --> 00:23:29.199
 He's both

00:23:29.199 --> 00:23:30.359
 the messianic

00:23:30.359 --> 00:23:31.079
 son of David

00:23:31.079 --> 00:23:33.019
 and David's Lord.

00:23:34.719 --> 00:23:35.019
 See,

00:23:35.079 --> 00:23:35.699
 all the Jewish people

00:23:35.699 --> 00:23:36.139
 in the temple

00:23:36.139 --> 00:23:36.740
 were definitely

00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:37.859
 expecting a Messiah.

00:23:38.419 --> 00:23:38.759
 And maybe

00:23:38.759 --> 00:23:39.659
 they were even

00:23:39.659 --> 00:23:40.519
 willing to believe

00:23:40.519 --> 00:23:41.740
 that Jesus of Nazareth

00:23:41.740 --> 00:23:42.620
 might be that

00:23:42.620 --> 00:23:43.480
 messianic

00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:44.019
 son of David.

00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:46.160
 But for the most part,

00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:46.799
 their conception

00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:48.299
 of this expected

00:23:48.299 --> 00:23:49.240
 son of David

00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:50.620
 was that he would be

00:23:50.620 --> 00:23:51.099
 some kind of

00:23:51.099 --> 00:23:52.680
 political revolutionary

00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:53.859
 who would reestablish

00:23:53.859 --> 00:23:54.920
 the kingdom of Israel

00:23:54.920 --> 00:23:55.700
 under the reign

00:23:55.700 --> 00:23:57.420
 of David's ancestors.

00:23:58.519 --> 00:23:59.400
 But what they didn't

00:23:59.400 --> 00:24:00.079
 understand was that

00:24:00.079 --> 00:24:01.460
 they needed so much more

00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:02.839
 than a son of David.

00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:04.180
 They needed

00:24:04.180 --> 00:24:04.960
 a son of God.

00:24:05.599 --> 00:24:06.059
 They needed

00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:06.799
 Yahweh himself.

00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.859
 And this is why

00:24:07.859 --> 00:24:08.859
 Jesus told the scribe

00:24:08.859 --> 00:24:10.000
 who had the right answer

00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:10.579
 about the greatest

00:24:10.579 --> 00:24:10.920
 commandment

00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:11.539
 that he was not

00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:12.400
 far from the kingdom

00:24:12.400 --> 00:24:13.940
 but he wasn't

00:24:13.940 --> 00:24:14.960
 exactly in it

00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:15.539
 either.

00:24:16.440 --> 00:24:17.220
 Because no one

00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:18.200
 realized the true

00:24:18.200 --> 00:24:19.480
 identity of the Lord.

00:24:19.559 --> 00:24:20.279
 They didn't realize

00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:21.460
 the life-giving Lord

00:24:21.460 --> 00:24:21.980
 who demanded

00:24:21.980 --> 00:24:22.539
 and deserved

00:24:22.539 --> 00:24:22.940
 their love

00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:23.420
 was standing

00:24:23.420 --> 00:24:24.720
 right in front of them

00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:26.359
 and that he was

00:24:26.359 --> 00:24:27.299
 at the very same time

00:24:27.299 --> 00:24:28.039
 the messianic

00:24:28.039 --> 00:24:29.400
 son of David.

00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:31.660
 And this is so key

00:24:31.660 --> 00:24:32.240
 to understanding

00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:33.000
 who Jesus is.

00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:33.720
 This is so key

00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:34.140
 to understanding

00:24:34.140 --> 00:24:34.660
 what it means

00:24:34.660 --> 00:24:35.380
 to be a disciple

00:24:35.380 --> 00:24:36.920
 and to deny ourselves

00:24:36.920 --> 00:24:37.980
 and follow him.

00:24:38.079 --> 00:24:39.019
 So key to loving

00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:39.940
 the Lord our God

00:24:39.940 --> 00:24:40.639
 rightly with all

00:24:40.639 --> 00:24:41.339
 our heart, soul,

00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:42.139
 mind, and strength

00:24:42.139 --> 00:24:43.079
 we have to understand

00:24:43.079 --> 00:24:44.379
 that Jesus

00:24:44.379 --> 00:24:46.420
 the human son of David

00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:48.579
 is at the same time

00:24:48.579 --> 00:24:49.680
 the Lord.

00:24:50.859 --> 00:24:51.900
 This is the only way

00:24:51.900 --> 00:24:52.799
 we will ever enter

00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:53.579
 the kingdom of God.

00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:54.579
 This is the only way

00:24:54.579 --> 00:24:55.639
 we will ever love

00:24:55.639 --> 00:24:57.059
 the Lord rightly.

00:24:57.259 --> 00:24:58.079
 We have to understand

00:24:58.079 --> 00:24:58.940
 the two natures

00:24:58.940 --> 00:25:00.000
 of Jesus Christ

00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:00.960
 that he is human

00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:01.940
 the son of David

00:25:01.940 --> 00:25:03.700
 and divine

00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:04.839
 the son of God.

00:25:04.940 --> 00:25:06.200
 And if we don't hold both

00:25:06.200 --> 00:25:08.019
 we will never understand

00:25:08.019 --> 00:25:08.559
 the nature

00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:09.840
 of this Messiah's kingdom

00:25:09.840 --> 00:25:10.880
 and we will never

00:25:10.880 --> 00:25:11.660
 love the Lord

00:25:11.660 --> 00:25:12.660
 nor our neighbors

00:25:12.660 --> 00:25:14.100
 as we ought.

00:25:15.240 --> 00:25:15.980
 Now Jesus gives

00:25:15.980 --> 00:25:16.900
 an example of this

00:25:16.900 --> 00:25:18.000
 in verse 38 to 40

00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:18.519
 about how

00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:20.080
 if you don't understand this

00:25:20.080 --> 00:25:20.819
 you're not going to love

00:25:20.819 --> 00:25:21.519
 your neighbors rightly.

00:25:22.200 --> 00:25:22.980
 Calling out the teachers

00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:23.480
 of the law

00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:24.160
 who care more

00:25:24.160 --> 00:25:24.960
 about respect

00:25:24.960 --> 00:25:25.779
 and status

00:25:25.779 --> 00:25:26.440
 in the marketplace

00:25:26.440 --> 00:25:27.080
 and the synagogue

00:25:27.080 --> 00:25:27.819
 than the widows

00:25:27.819 --> 00:25:28.240
 they were supposed

00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:28.860
 to care for.

00:25:30.660 --> 00:25:31.740
 The Pharisees

00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:33.240
 failed to love

00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:34.000
 the widows

00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:34.420
 all because

00:25:34.420 --> 00:25:35.339
 they didn't understand

00:25:35.339 --> 00:25:36.759
 the true nature

00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:37.559
 and identity

00:25:37.559 --> 00:25:38.140
 of the Lord

00:25:38.140 --> 00:25:38.859
 who demanded

00:25:38.859 --> 00:25:39.619
 and who deserved

00:25:39.619 --> 00:25:40.160
 their love.

00:25:41.119 --> 00:25:41.980
 See this phrase

00:25:41.980 --> 00:25:43.680
 they devour widows

00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:44.359
 houses

00:25:44.359 --> 00:25:45.859
 what was going on here

00:25:45.859 --> 00:25:46.779
 what this means

00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:47.599
 is they were greedily

00:25:47.599 --> 00:25:48.920
 cheating widows

00:25:48.920 --> 00:25:49.700
 out of their property.

00:25:50.519 --> 00:25:51.559
 So in ancient times

00:25:51.559 --> 00:25:52.680
 widows had

00:25:52.680 --> 00:25:53.819
 little or no power

00:25:53.819 --> 00:25:54.680
 in the courts

00:25:54.680 --> 00:25:55.640
 and it was not uncommon

00:25:55.640 --> 00:25:56.500
 for a husband

00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:57.660
 to appoint in his will

00:25:57.660 --> 00:25:59.519
 a Jewish legal expert

00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:00.140
 a scribe

00:26:00.140 --> 00:26:00.940
 or a Pharisee

00:26:00.940 --> 00:26:02.359
 to be the executor

00:26:02.359 --> 00:26:03.440
 of his widow's estate.

00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:04.360
 So essentially

00:26:04.360 --> 00:26:05.740
 this gave the executor

00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:06.700
 authority to oversee

00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:08.000
 the widow's finances

00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:09.059
 and assets

00:26:09.059 --> 00:26:10.380
 so it would not be hard

00:26:10.380 --> 00:26:11.600
 for a corrupt

00:26:11.600 --> 00:26:12.680
 teacher of the law

00:26:12.680 --> 00:26:13.660
 scribe, Pharisee

00:26:13.660 --> 00:26:14.840
 to find legal ways

00:26:14.840 --> 00:26:16.460
 to trick a widow

00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:17.299
 out of her house

00:26:17.299 --> 00:26:18.440
 and other property.

00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:19.680
 And this is precisely

00:26:19.680 --> 00:26:20.480
 what the religious

00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:21.680
 leaders were doing.

00:26:22.640 --> 00:26:23.900
 And this would make sense

00:26:23.900 --> 00:26:24.700
 for them to do

00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:26.360
 if they didn't realize

00:26:26.360 --> 00:26:27.860
 who the Lord truly was.

00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:28.820
 If your conception

00:26:28.820 --> 00:26:29.799
 of the Lord

00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:30.960
 this Lord

00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:31.440
 that you're supposed

00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:31.980
 to love

00:26:31.980 --> 00:26:32.600
 if your conception

00:26:32.599 --> 00:26:33.219
 of this Lord

00:26:33.219 --> 00:26:33.839
 is that he's just

00:26:33.839 --> 00:26:34.579
 some kind of high

00:26:34.579 --> 00:26:35.959
 and holy God

00:26:35.959 --> 00:26:36.379
 in the sky

00:26:36.379 --> 00:26:36.980
 who put you

00:26:36.980 --> 00:26:37.599
 in charge

00:26:37.599 --> 00:26:38.539
 of the temple

00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:40.139
 and over the affairs

00:26:40.139 --> 00:26:40.980
 of poor widows

00:26:40.980 --> 00:26:41.799
 it wouldn't make sense

00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:42.339
 for you then

00:26:42.339 --> 00:26:43.240
 to care more

00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:44.000
 about your status

00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:45.079
 than people.

00:26:45.899 --> 00:26:46.519
 It would make sense

00:26:46.519 --> 00:26:47.059
 for you to even

00:26:47.059 --> 00:26:47.939
 deceive yourself

00:26:47.939 --> 00:26:48.599
 into thinking

00:26:48.599 --> 00:26:49.579
 that your status

00:26:49.579 --> 00:26:50.679
 and your religiosity

00:26:50.679 --> 00:26:51.719
 were proof

00:26:51.719 --> 00:26:52.659
 of your piety

00:26:52.659 --> 00:26:53.619
 and of your love

00:26:53.619 --> 00:26:54.359
 to the Lord.

00:26:55.399 --> 00:26:56.259
 When you don't know

00:26:56.259 --> 00:26:57.039
 the true identity

00:26:57.039 --> 00:26:57.659
 and nature

00:26:57.659 --> 00:26:58.139
 of the Lord

00:26:58.139 --> 00:26:58.899
 you will always care

00:26:58.899 --> 00:26:59.839
 more about status

00:26:59.839 --> 00:27:01.059
 than God

00:27:01.059 --> 00:27:01.879
 and people.

00:27:02.059 --> 00:27:02.559
 You may even

00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:03.419
 deceive yourself

00:27:03.419 --> 00:27:04.539
 into thinking

00:27:04.539 --> 00:27:05.139
 that status

00:27:05.139 --> 00:27:06.019
 and religiosity

00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:06.740
 are confirmation

00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:08.119
 that you love

00:27:08.119 --> 00:27:09.359
 the one true Lord.

00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:10.539
 The teachers

00:27:10.539 --> 00:27:11.059
 of the law

00:27:11.059 --> 00:27:12.179
 genuinely thought

00:27:12.179 --> 00:27:12.859
 that they loved

00:27:12.859 --> 00:27:13.240
 the Lord

00:27:13.240 --> 00:27:13.879
 with all their heart

00:27:13.879 --> 00:27:14.259
 soul, mind

00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:14.679
 and strength

00:27:14.679 --> 00:27:15.099
 but they were

00:27:15.099 --> 00:27:16.599
 genuinely mistaken

00:27:16.599 --> 00:27:17.299
 and they loved

00:27:17.299 --> 00:27:18.419
 really their status

00:27:18.419 --> 00:27:19.500
 and their money

00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:20.779
 and public opinion

00:27:20.779 --> 00:27:21.939
 far more

00:27:21.939 --> 00:27:23.099
 than they loved

00:27:23.099 --> 00:27:24.259
 the one true Lord.

00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:26.140
 But while these

00:27:26.140 --> 00:27:27.859
 religious leaders

00:27:27.859 --> 00:27:28.359
 they failed

00:27:28.359 --> 00:27:28.920
 to love the Lord

00:27:28.920 --> 00:27:29.160
 rightly

00:27:29.160 --> 00:27:30.140
 Jesus was able

00:27:30.140 --> 00:27:30.660
 to identify

00:27:30.660 --> 00:27:31.819
 someone in that

00:27:31.819 --> 00:27:32.619
 temple that day

00:27:32.619 --> 00:27:34.200
 who did illustrate

00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:35.359
 how to love the Lord

00:27:35.359 --> 00:27:36.180
 with all her heart

00:27:36.180 --> 00:27:37.559
 soul, mind

00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:38.039
 and strength.

00:27:38.140 --> 00:27:38.740
 Verse 41

00:27:38.740 --> 00:27:40.279
 Verse 41 says

00:27:40.279 --> 00:27:41.119
 Jesus is sitting there

00:27:41.119 --> 00:27:41.559
 in the temple

00:27:41.559 --> 00:27:42.299
 watching the crowd

00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:43.400
 give their free will

00:27:43.400 --> 00:27:44.500
 offerings to God

00:27:44.500 --> 00:27:44.960
 in the temple

00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:45.660
 many rich people

00:27:45.660 --> 00:27:46.400
 are throwing down

00:27:46.400 --> 00:27:47.220
 big money

00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:48.619
 and Jesus doesn't

00:27:48.619 --> 00:27:49.519
 critique these folks

00:27:49.519 --> 00:27:50.279
 it's good that they're

00:27:50.279 --> 00:27:51.180
 giving but most

00:27:51.180 --> 00:27:52.319
 notable to him

00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:53.980
 most notable

00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:55.139
 in the eyes of God

00:27:55.139 --> 00:27:56.319
 is this poor widow

00:27:56.319 --> 00:27:57.659
 who also comes in

00:27:57.659 --> 00:27:59.039
 dares to go in

00:27:59.039 --> 00:27:59.859
 amongst these big

00:27:59.859 --> 00:28:00.679
 ballers and shot

00:28:00.679 --> 00:28:01.439
 callers right

00:28:01.439 --> 00:28:04.480
 and put her own

00:28:04.480 --> 00:28:05.599
 meager contribution

00:28:05.599 --> 00:28:07.240
 next to theirs

00:28:07.240 --> 00:28:08.899
 two very small

00:28:08.899 --> 00:28:09.559
 copper coins

00:28:09.559 --> 00:28:10.399
 worth only a few

00:28:10.399 --> 00:28:11.240
 cents in the Greek

00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:11.919
 these coins were

00:28:11.919 --> 00:28:13.139
 the smallest currency

00:28:13.139 --> 00:28:14.379
 that existed

00:28:14.379 --> 00:28:15.319
 two lepta

00:28:15.319 --> 00:28:16.740
 less than a few cents

00:28:16.740 --> 00:28:17.579
 even according to

00:28:17.579 --> 00:28:18.460
 some commentators

00:28:18.460 --> 00:28:20.539
 and Jesus does this

00:28:20.539 --> 00:28:21.279
 verse 43

00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:23.059
 calling his disciples

00:28:23.059 --> 00:28:23.559
 to him

00:28:23.559 --> 00:28:24.539
 Jesus said

00:28:24.539 --> 00:28:26.200
 truly I tell you

00:28:26.200 --> 00:28:27.480
 this poor widow

00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:28.259
 has put more

00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:28.980
 into the treasury

00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:30.480
 than all the others

00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:32.059
 they all gave

00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:32.960
 out of their wealth

00:28:32.960 --> 00:28:34.000
 but she out of her

00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:34.420
 poverty

00:28:34.420 --> 00:28:35.799
 put in everything

00:28:35.799 --> 00:28:37.299
 all she had

00:28:37.299 --> 00:28:38.099
 to live on

00:28:38.099 --> 00:28:40.019
 Jesus sees

00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:40.460
 this woman

00:28:40.460 --> 00:28:41.619
 that no one else

00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:42.399
 sees

00:28:42.399 --> 00:28:43.519
 he values her

00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:43.879
 offering

00:28:43.879 --> 00:28:44.420
 when the rest

00:28:44.420 --> 00:28:45.019
 of the world

00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:45.960
 sees her as

00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:46.960
 having nothing

00:28:46.960 --> 00:28:48.779
 valuable to offer

00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:50.279
 the world offered

00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:51.500
 the world valued

00:28:51.500 --> 00:28:52.519
 her at

00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:53.579
 two cents

00:28:53.579 --> 00:28:55.599
 but God values

00:28:55.599 --> 00:28:56.240
 her as a whole

00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:57.359
 life offered

00:28:57.359 --> 00:28:58.259
 up to him

00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:59.639
 and these are the

00:28:59.639 --> 00:29:00.899
 economics of the

00:29:00.899 --> 00:29:01.460
 kingdom of God

00:29:01.460 --> 00:29:02.579
 no gift is ever

00:29:02.579 --> 00:29:03.460
 too small in his

00:29:03.460 --> 00:29:03.740
 eyes

00:29:03.740 --> 00:29:04.440
 it might just be

00:29:04.440 --> 00:29:05.480
 that the time

00:29:05.480 --> 00:29:06.099
 and money you

00:29:06.099 --> 00:29:06.879
 spend to take a

00:29:06.879 --> 00:29:07.279
 kid out

00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:08.200
 from our youth

00:29:08.200 --> 00:29:09.000
 group to Boba

00:29:09.000 --> 00:29:10.660
 the moment you

00:29:10.660 --> 00:29:11.480
 spend to stoop down

00:29:11.480 --> 00:29:12.099
 and give a little

00:29:12.099 --> 00:29:12.980
 preschooler a high

00:29:12.980 --> 00:29:13.420
 five

00:29:13.420 --> 00:29:15.539
 or the moment you

00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:16.279
 spend packing those

00:29:16.279 --> 00:29:17.000
 little mustards

00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:17.799
 into those brown

00:29:17.799 --> 00:29:18.639
 bags for our loaves

00:29:18.640 --> 00:29:19.460
 and fishes ministry

00:29:19.460 --> 00:29:20.060
 to serve our

00:29:20.060 --> 00:29:20.620
 houseless neighbors

00:29:20.620 --> 00:29:21.440
 it might just be

00:29:21.440 --> 00:29:22.740
 that such free

00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:23.660
 will offerings as

00:29:23.660 --> 00:29:24.320
 those are more

00:29:24.320 --> 00:29:25.640
 valuable in the

00:29:25.640 --> 00:29:26.300
 eyes of God

00:29:26.300 --> 00:29:26.800
 than the million

00:29:26.800 --> 00:29:27.820
 dollar deal

00:29:27.820 --> 00:29:28.740
 commissions your

00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:30.240
 tithing to our

00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:30.640
 church

00:29:30.640 --> 00:29:32.440
 or consider this

00:29:32.440 --> 00:29:33.980
 what if Jesus

00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:35.040
 cares less about

00:29:35.040 --> 00:29:35.720
 what you give

00:29:35.720 --> 00:29:37.680
 and more about

00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:38.180
 what you hold

00:29:38.180 --> 00:29:38.620
 back

00:29:38.620 --> 00:29:40.700
 what if the

00:29:40.700 --> 00:29:41.420
 application for

00:29:41.420 --> 00:29:41.980
 some of us is

00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:42.980
 not hey give

00:29:42.980 --> 00:29:43.480
 more

00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:45.460
 but hey what

00:29:45.460 --> 00:29:46.960
 areas in my life

00:29:46.960 --> 00:29:48.120
 am I treating

00:29:48.120 --> 00:29:49.559
 like they don't

00:29:49.559 --> 00:29:50.620
 belong to

00:29:50.620 --> 00:29:51.079
 Jesus

00:29:51.079 --> 00:29:53.259
 like doesn't all

00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:54.079
 we have belong

00:29:54.079 --> 00:29:54.640
 to the Lord

00:29:54.640 --> 00:29:55.180
 the widow

00:29:55.180 --> 00:29:56.940
 understood this

00:29:56.940 --> 00:29:58.100
 she gave in

00:29:58.100 --> 00:29:58.860
 greater proportion

00:29:58.860 --> 00:29:59.759
 because she had

00:29:59.759 --> 00:30:01.059
 a greater faith

00:30:01.059 --> 00:30:02.039
 she gave in

00:30:02.039 --> 00:30:02.660
 greater faith

00:30:02.660 --> 00:30:03.319
 everything she

00:30:03.319 --> 00:30:04.059
 had to live on

00:30:04.059 --> 00:30:04.940
 trusting that her

00:30:04.940 --> 00:30:05.819
 father in heaven

00:30:05.819 --> 00:30:06.840
 would give her

00:30:06.840 --> 00:30:07.380
 that day

00:30:07.380 --> 00:30:08.799
 her daily bread

00:30:08.799 --> 00:30:10.039
 she committed

00:30:10.039 --> 00:30:10.960
 to first of all

00:30:10.960 --> 00:30:11.680
 saying hallowed

00:30:11.680 --> 00:30:12.180
 be your name

00:30:12.180 --> 00:30:13.240
 your kingdom come

00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:14.340
 your will be done

00:30:14.340 --> 00:30:15.440
 because in many

00:30:15.440 --> 00:30:16.079
 ways she had a

00:30:16.079 --> 00:30:16.440
 clearer

00:30:16.440 --> 00:30:17.220
 view

00:30:17.220 --> 00:30:18.600
 and understanding

00:30:18.600 --> 00:30:19.980
 of who the

00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:20.720
 Lord was

00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:22.039
 of who Yahweh

00:30:22.039 --> 00:30:22.519
 was

00:30:22.519 --> 00:30:23.200
 a clearer view

00:30:23.200 --> 00:30:24.059
 than the teachers

00:30:24.059 --> 00:30:24.480
 of the law

00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:25.420
 who loved money

00:30:25.420 --> 00:30:26.240
 and status

00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:26.980
 more than the

00:30:26.980 --> 00:30:27.220
 Lord

00:30:27.220 --> 00:30:28.779
 you know I can

00:30:28.779 --> 00:30:29.500
 end this sermon

00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:30.200
 holding up this

00:30:30.200 --> 00:30:31.320
 poor generous

00:30:31.320 --> 00:30:32.039
 widow as the

00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:32.900
 model for our

00:30:32.900 --> 00:30:33.860
 capital campaign

00:30:33.860 --> 00:30:34.279
 as we're trying

00:30:34.279 --> 00:30:35.100
 to finish paying

00:30:35.100 --> 00:30:35.820
 off this building

00:30:35.820 --> 00:30:37.620
 and I could end

00:30:37.620 --> 00:30:38.460
 with an application

00:30:38.460 --> 00:30:39.279
 like you know

00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:39.880
 try harder

00:30:39.880 --> 00:30:41.519
 to be generous

00:30:41.519 --> 00:30:42.640
 and trust God

00:30:42.640 --> 00:30:43.539
 like this widow

00:30:43.539 --> 00:30:44.279
 give it

00:30:44.279 --> 00:30:44.960
 give your all

00:30:44.960 --> 00:30:45.820
 just give it all

00:30:45.819 --> 00:30:47.980
 but you know

00:30:47.980 --> 00:30:48.519
 there's this little

00:30:48.519 --> 00:30:49.299
 detail in the

00:30:49.299 --> 00:30:49.839
 Greek that

00:30:49.839 --> 00:30:50.839
 indicated to me

00:30:50.839 --> 00:30:52.179
 that actually

00:30:52.179 --> 00:30:53.259
 this widow

00:30:53.259 --> 00:30:54.139
 is not primarily

00:30:54.139 --> 00:30:55.419
 meant to be

00:30:55.419 --> 00:30:55.899
 a mirror

00:30:55.899 --> 00:30:56.819
 for us to see

00:30:56.819 --> 00:30:57.319
 ourselves

00:30:57.319 --> 00:30:58.379
 for us to compare

00:30:58.379 --> 00:30:59.139
 ourselves to

00:30:59.139 --> 00:31:00.599
 but she's more

00:31:00.599 --> 00:31:01.339
 like a window

00:31:01.339 --> 00:31:02.980
 for us to see

00:31:02.980 --> 00:31:03.500
 Jesus

00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:05.460
 in the Greek

00:31:05.460 --> 00:31:06.159
 Jesus says

00:31:06.159 --> 00:31:07.240
 she out of her

00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:07.919
 poverty gave

00:31:07.919 --> 00:31:08.779
 all she had

00:31:08.779 --> 00:31:09.879
 the whole

00:31:09.879 --> 00:31:10.460
 of her

00:31:10.460 --> 00:31:11.200
 bios

00:31:11.200 --> 00:31:12.860
 that is the

00:31:12.860 --> 00:31:13.400
 whole of her

00:31:13.400 --> 00:31:13.940
 life

00:31:13.940 --> 00:31:15.980
 does that remind

00:31:15.980 --> 00:31:17.100
 you of anyone

00:31:17.100 --> 00:31:19.460
 in the person

00:31:19.460 --> 00:31:20.059
 of Jesus

00:31:20.059 --> 00:31:21.779
 God has revealed

00:31:21.779 --> 00:31:22.700
 himself as the

00:31:22.700 --> 00:31:23.420
 life-giving Lord

00:31:23.420 --> 00:31:24.500
 in more than

00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:25.279
 one life-giving

00:31:25.279 --> 00:31:25.620
 way

00:31:25.620 --> 00:31:27.319
 not simply by

00:31:27.319 --> 00:31:28.160
 giving us life

00:31:28.160 --> 00:31:29.460
 but by giving up

00:31:29.460 --> 00:31:30.420
 his own life

00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:31.319
 his bios

00:31:31.319 --> 00:31:32.759
 for us

00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:34.620
 not simply by

00:31:34.620 --> 00:31:35.180
 breathing his

00:31:35.180 --> 00:31:36.279
 spirit into our

00:31:36.279 --> 00:31:36.900
 lungs but by

00:31:36.900 --> 00:31:37.779
 breathing his own

00:31:37.779 --> 00:31:38.559
 spirit out

00:31:38.559 --> 00:31:40.399
 upon a cross

00:31:40.399 --> 00:31:42.940
 this life-giving

00:31:42.940 --> 00:31:43.779
 Lord loved

00:31:43.779 --> 00:31:44.940
 his father in

00:31:44.940 --> 00:31:45.659
 heaven with all

00:31:45.659 --> 00:31:46.179
 his heart

00:31:46.179 --> 00:31:46.759
 soul

00:31:46.759 --> 00:31:47.879
 mind and strength

00:31:47.879 --> 00:31:49.659
 and he at the

00:31:49.659 --> 00:31:50.359
 same time

00:31:50.359 --> 00:31:51.200
 endured his

00:31:51.200 --> 00:31:51.919
 wrath against

00:31:51.919 --> 00:31:52.740
 our sins

00:31:52.740 --> 00:31:54.079
 he endured the

00:31:54.079 --> 00:31:54.819
 judgment upon

00:31:54.819 --> 00:31:55.659
 all our

00:31:55.659 --> 00:31:56.879
 misdirected loves

00:31:56.879 --> 00:31:57.899
 upon that cross

00:31:57.899 --> 00:31:59.519
 and in doing so

00:31:59.519 --> 00:32:01.019
 he has shown us

00:32:01.019 --> 00:32:01.559
 how to love

00:32:01.559 --> 00:32:02.279
 our neighbors

00:32:02.279 --> 00:32:02.899
 even more

00:32:02.899 --> 00:32:03.740
 than ourselves

00:32:03.740 --> 00:32:05.839
 he gave it all

00:32:05.839 --> 00:32:06.859
 you might even

00:32:06.859 --> 00:32:07.960
 say he loved us

00:32:07.960 --> 00:32:08.480
 with all his

00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:09.120
 heart soul

00:32:09.120 --> 00:32:10.360
 mind and strength

00:32:10.360 --> 00:32:11.380
 a love without

00:32:11.380 --> 00:32:12.799
 limits from that

00:32:12.799 --> 00:32:13.279
 cross

00:32:13.279 --> 00:32:16.259
 and it's only

00:32:16.259 --> 00:32:16.720
 when we've

00:32:16.720 --> 00:32:17.360
 encountered him

00:32:17.360 --> 00:32:17.840
 as both

00:32:17.840 --> 00:32:18.559
 life-giving

00:32:18.559 --> 00:32:19.259
 Yahweh on

00:32:19.259 --> 00:32:19.559
 high

00:32:19.559 --> 00:32:21.120
 and life-giving

00:32:21.120 --> 00:32:21.860
 son of David

00:32:21.860 --> 00:32:22.980
 on a cross

00:32:22.980 --> 00:32:24.380
 that we will

00:32:24.380 --> 00:32:25.460
 ever love him

00:32:25.460 --> 00:32:26.259
 as he demands

00:32:26.259 --> 00:32:27.420
 and as he

00:32:27.420 --> 00:32:27.980
 deserves

00:32:27.980 --> 00:32:29.740
 we'll ever love

00:32:29.740 --> 00:32:30.920
 him as he's

00:32:30.920 --> 00:32:31.500
 loved us

00:32:31.500 --> 00:32:32.259
 first

00:32:32.259 --> 00:32:33.400
 will you pray

00:32:33.400 --> 00:32:34.220
 with me

00:32:34.220 --> 00:32:41.880
 Lord help us

00:32:41.880 --> 00:32:42.640
 to see ourselves

00:32:42.640 --> 00:32:43.600
 first and foremost

00:32:43.600 --> 00:32:44.860
 not as thinkers

00:32:44.860 --> 00:32:45.519
 or doers

00:32:45.519 --> 00:32:46.240
 but as lovers

00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:49.480
 Lord would you

00:32:49.480 --> 00:32:50.140
 redirect our

00:32:50.140 --> 00:32:50.880
 loves toward you

00:32:50.880 --> 00:32:52.920
 would you convince

00:32:52.920 --> 00:32:53.779
 us that there is

00:32:53.779 --> 00:32:54.579
 no one more

00:32:54.579 --> 00:32:55.019
 worthy

00:32:55.019 --> 00:32:56.579
 of our love

00:32:56.579 --> 00:32:57.360
 our heart

00:32:57.360 --> 00:32:57.620
 soul

00:32:57.620 --> 00:32:58.299
 mind and strength

00:32:58.299 --> 00:32:58.579
 love

00:32:58.579 --> 00:32:59.000
 than the

00:32:59.000 --> 00:32:59.819
 life-giving

00:32:59.819 --> 00:33:00.220
 Lord

00:33:00.220 --> 00:33:01.299
 Jesus Christ

00:33:01.299 --> 00:33:01.680
 who didn't

00:33:01.680 --> 00:33:02.340
 just give us

00:33:02.340 --> 00:33:02.740
 life

00:33:02.740 --> 00:33:03.880
 but gave up

00:33:03.880 --> 00:33:04.500
 his life

00:33:04.500 --> 00:33:05.860
 so that we

00:33:05.860 --> 00:33:06.420
 might be brought

00:33:06.420 --> 00:33:07.700
 back to you

00:33:07.700 --> 00:33:09.460
 Lord what do we

00:33:09.460 --> 00:33:09.960
 have that we

00:33:09.960 --> 00:33:10.840
 have not received

00:33:10.840 --> 00:33:12.140
 what do we have

00:33:12.140 --> 00:33:12.660
 that does not

00:33:12.660 --> 00:33:13.600
 belong to you

00:33:13.600 --> 00:33:16.060
 Lord let us

00:33:16.060 --> 00:33:16.740
 give lives

00:33:16.740 --> 00:33:18.000
 let us live lives

00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:19.160
 of sacrifice

00:33:19.160 --> 00:33:20.640
 of acknowledgement

00:33:20.640 --> 00:33:21.519
 that everything

00:33:21.519 --> 00:33:22.100
 we have

00:33:22.100 --> 00:33:23.100
 is yours

00:33:23.100 --> 00:33:24.799
 and would you

00:33:24.799 --> 00:33:25.740
 in doing that

00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:26.480
 receive glory

00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:26.980
 and would you

00:33:26.980 --> 00:33:27.759
 bless the world

00:33:27.759 --> 00:33:29.360
 in our generosity

00:33:29.360 --> 00:33:29.960
 I pray

00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:31.019
 in Jesus' name

00:33:31.019 --> 00:33:31.759
 amen