A scribe…a religion
scholar…a Pharisee…a lawyer.
Descriptions of the man
who questioned Jesus at the Temple lead into the section known as the most important commandment.
Is "questioned"
accurate though? Is that truly what the man did? Matthew 22:34-35 tells us the
Pharisees and Sadducees came together, and then one of them -- a lawyer -- "tested"
Jesus with a question. Luke 10:25 mentions a lawyer stood up to "test"
Jesus.
Does it matter whether
this scribe questioned or tested Jesus? "Test" can be defined in a
manner to trip up a person. We've seen numerous examples in which the
Pharisees, Sadducees and Herodians "tested" Jesus yet failed.
"Test" can also be used to determine one's knowledge.
During this turbulent time,
two schools of thought about the law were in play: some parts of the law being
more important than other parts; all parts being equal. This was an major issue
for the Jews; an intense issue of debate and discussion.
By then, "the Jews
had accumulated hundreds of laws -- 613 by one historian's count." [i] This scribe, religion
scholar, lawyer would be well-versed in the law, intelligent and discerning in
thought. Indeed, he could certainly "test" anyone.
However, in what the
author of MARK had written, before the other gospels were recorded, how should
the lawyer be viewed? He was engrossed by Jesus' teachings and impressed by how
Jesus handled himself in adverse situations.
Sincerity comes forth from
this man's heart. He desires to know the truth, the good news which comes forth
from Jesus. He honestly wants to know the most important commandment -- one
part -- more important than all other parts.
It is not if Jesus can choose; it is what Jesus will choose.
Jesus answers with a
passage from Deuteronomy 6:4-5. "Hear,
O Israel,…"
"Hear" in Hebrew
means shema, which is "the name
of the prayer recited by Jews twice a day, composed of Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 11:13-21 and
Numbers 15:37-41." [ii]
The Shema is "an epitome of
biblical faith and affirms the absolute sovereignty of God in all areas of
life." [iii]
For the devout Jew, the
three biblical passages of the Shema
would be contained in a phylactery --
a small leather box worn on the forehead and one on the wrist (bound by leather
thongs) -- when at prayer. "Fix them as an emblem on your forehead." "Bind
them as a sign on your hand."
In addition, the Shema would be contained in a mezuzah affixed to the doorframe in
Jewish homes to fulfill the commandment -- "Write them on the doorposts of
your house and on your gates."
The phylactery and mezuzah were
reminders and signs, still incorporated by Jews today. These specifically
reflect the verses from Deuteronomy. Yet
why the inclusion from Numbers? The
mention of "fringes on the corners of their garments" serve as a
reminder of "all the commandments of the Lord and do them."
The focus of the Shema is to love God.
But Jesus didn't stop
there. He shares "to love God with all your heart, and with all your soul,
and with all your mind, and with all your strength"…
Expressed differently, "to love God with all your
passion and prayer and intelligence and energy" (from The Message)
The passage from Leviticus was well-known by Jews. In its
original context, one could hate Gentiles while strictly caring
for one's fellow Jew.
That's not what Jesus was
about. His teaching in Capernaum turned religion on its head. Capernaum was a
large Galilean fishing village and busy trading center with a diverse
population. Jesus wanted the message of Good News spread far and wide for
all.
(More about Capernaum in an earlier MARK post --
"When The Teacher Has Lemons,…")
Jesus took the law and
gave it new meaning. To love God and to love your neighbor -- all your
neighbors. He was the first to combine these two commandments into one,
although the writer of Luke had the
combined verses uttered by the lawyer.
Not included in the
gospels of Matthew and Luke, the religious scholar responds to
Jesus with warmth. Jesus does likewise. In fact, the lawyer's reply that Jesus'
statement is "more important than all whole burnt offerings and
sacrifices" references 1 Samuel 15:22
and Hosea 6:6.
This was the religious
scholar's "God moment" or his "ah-ha moment."
"Teacher, you are right! I get it!" To have witnessed this, to have
been a part of the crowd surrounding Jesus and this man, must have been
extremely moving, inspiring and life-changing. Jesus took what was considered
as a Love-God Shema and made it into
a Love-God-and-Others Shema.
Actions to love God had
been outward in what was worn, in what was seen, in what was given, in what was
sacrificed. It was an act of self or as Marc * stated, "An act of
self-ishness."
Jesus took key elements of
the Deuteronomy passages in
combination with the Leviticus
passage to tell everyone, by loving all, you love God. This is the
sacrifice that must be given. Self-less-ness.
The inward and the
outward must match.
Love God with all your heart, understanding and
strength.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
This combination, to do
both, is central to spiritual formation. In doing so, God is blessed, and so
are we!
NEXT
Just the "Son of
David"?, religious pretenders, giving one's life, actions = beliefs
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