Daily Dose 3-5-11

Mark 12:28-31 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?” “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 with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

When we study the old Law, especially the book of Leviticus, we can see how radical Jesus’ answer was. Through Moses, God gave painstaking details of how He wanted to be worshipped, how sacrifices were to be made for each particular sin, and how people were to be punished for their sins. It’s easy for us to look at the Pharisees with harsh judgment because we know the end of the story. They were trying to carry out God’s commands to the letter of the law. The problem arose when they let the letter of the law surpass the heart of the law. Often, they were elevated to power and used that power to bind traditions with the Law. In their desire to execute justice, they forgot the One who was and is truly the Judge. Blinded by judgment and law keeping, they missed the Messiah who was directly before them. Jesus boils the purpose of the old Law and the promise of the new Law down to one action – love. How well are we doing at offering that sacrifice? Do we wake each morning in praise and adoration to God and continually think of Him throughout the day? Are we kind and loving to those around us? Obedience is important, but the motivation for that obedience should surpass the action. We obey because we love…we love because we are obedient.

Loving Father, Help me to get it right. Always remind me that You and Your son choose to love me even when I am most unlovable. Let my heart be softened to love You more everyday – so much so that it overflows to ALL those around me – not just those I choose to love. Amen