THIS GUY GETS IT
Mark 12:32-34 NKJ
32 So the scribe said to Him, "Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. 33 And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices."
34 Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God."
But after that no one dared question Him.
This twelfth chapter could be called 'Jesus straightens out the Pharisees and Sadducees.' Each group came at Jesus trying to catch Him in His words. The Pharisees had questions about paying taxes to Caesar, one of the hot takes of that day. The Sadducees asked Him about the resurrection, even though they did not believe in the resurrection. Jesus answered both groups in such a way that they stopped asking Him questions and left Him alone. That is the thing about religious pride. Religious pride is constantly trying to prove a point. People don't matter as much as being right.
One scribe came to Jesus with a question about the greatest commandment. But we get the sense that this scribe had a desire to know as opposed to having a desire to trick Jesus or prove Him wrong. Jesus answered the question, declaring the greatest commandment was to love God and love your neighbor.
The scribe responded to Jesus' question in a manner that showed he got it. This scribe, a student of God's Word, caught the heart of what Jesus was saying. The scribe believed that loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself was greater than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices. This answer was a far cry from the mindset of most of the religious leaders of that day. They were caught up in the washing of cups and pots, looking religious and using the service of God to further their own causes. This is why Jesus was so frustrated with these religious leaders. Jesus said these were the guys who would strain out a gnat and swallow a camel. They missed the big things of loving God and loving people to focus on the small things that did not matter nearly asmuch.
APPLICATION
One of the areas we need to be wary of is holding onto doctrine that divides. Too often, believers can have wonderful communication and enjoy the company of other believers until someone asks the magic question, "What church do you go to?"
Too often, we have focused on where we disagree instead of having fellowship around where we share the same beliefs. If someone loves the Lord and believes that Jesus is the only way to salvation, we can get along. We are family. How someone was baptized, or takes communion, or believes in the ministry of the Holy Spirit is not the main point. Love God. Love His Son, Jesus, and make Him Lord. Love one another in God's family. That is more important than the doctrines that divide.
I much prefer having the Lord tell me that I am on the right track with Him. Agreement with others is secondary. And as we approach Christmas and interact with other believers, let's look for where we agree. Let's love God and love people.