In Mark 12 (verses 28 - 34), we see something interesting:
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked Him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
Those are some interesting details. One might guess that this guy was astute and was hoping to trick Jesus with a hard question; or maybe he was wanting to show off his own knowledge. Or maybe he was genuinely interested in knowing the answer. It might have been a combination of all three.
"The most important one, answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and will all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
"Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but Him. To love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God."
That guy got a compliment. I hope he continued on and actually made it into the kingdom of God. Perhaps I'll be sitting with him one day in Heaven, talking about God. He'll mention, "Remember that story in the book of Mark about the man who asked Jesus such and such question?" He'll wait for an answer and then say, "That was me!" That would be cool. Judging by my own curiousity and questions, as well as the description in the book of Revelation about angels saying, "Holy, Holy, Holy," around the Lord, there are no doubt so many mysteries of God that finding them out will be a real joy in Heaven that should keep us plenty busy.
Posted by Doug Van Pelt at January 23, 2009 09:30 AM