SN - notes from 5/8/10
As always, podcasts are available under thesngroup and live videos can be watched at calvarychapelcostamesa.com under media!
Our ministry of the month was camp joy - check them out on the video.
The Greatest Commandment
Mark 12:28-34
This is the 3rd question Jesus has had thrown His way - the 1st came from the Pharisees, the 2nd from the Sadducees.
v28 - the scribe now asks, “which is the greatest commandment”?
observation 1 - what’s a scribe? The scribes were initially levites who were distinct based on their intimate acquaintance with the contents of the law. In their purist form, they had the duty of multiplying copies of the law and of teaching it to others (Ezra 7:6, 10–12; Neh. 8:1);
During the New Testament times, the scribes belonged to the sect of the Pharisees, who supplemented the ancient written law by their traditions (Matt. 23), thereby obscuring it and rendering it of none effect.
observation 2 - this question seeks to make Jesus pick a law that is superior to the others, thus making the others slightly inferior.
observation 3 - “first” = protos
1) first in time or place
a) in any succession of things or persons
2) first in rank
a) influence, honour
b) chief
c) principal
3) first, at the first
v29 - Jesus’ answer
observation 1 - “Hear” - God Himself wants you to lend your ear to Him, he wants to interact with you and speak to you. ”Hear” implies relationship, it’s an invitation.
observation 2 - “Israel” - a small country that should have been absorbed into its captors time and time again. A country bound to a great and awesome covenant from God. ”Hear” lets you know He wants to speak, “Israel” let’s you know He cares and keeps His promises
observation 3 - although in Greek “the Lord” = kureos (from kuros = supremacy) - the possessor and disposer of a thing; common greeting of a servant to a master, the Hebrew word in Deut. 6:5 was Jehovah - “The Existing One”
observation 4 - “our”
This great and awesome promise keeping, eternally existing God is your personal God.
observation 5 - “God” = Elohim - a plural, masculine noun meaning “rulers”, “judges”, or “divine ones”
observation 6 - “is One God” - He is God in 3 persons
a quick aside on the trinitarian nature of God:
1. The word “trinity” is not in the bible but we do see plurality in Genesis 1:26.
2. We see there are other texts in which the unity of the Father and the Son is stressed (Matt. 11:27; John 10:30 (I and My Father are One); 14:9-11; 20:28; Col. 2:9; 1 John 5:20)
3. We see the same “oneness” with Jesus and The Holy Spirit in Luke 3:22, Acts 2:33, and Gal. 4:6).
4. We see all 3 aspects of the Trinity mentioned in 2 Cor. 13:14 - ”The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the
communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.”; Eph. 4:4-6; and 1 Peter 1:2
5. And it is generally acknowledged that the church father Tertullian (145-220 AD) either coined the term or was the first to use it with reference to God.
It’s as if, in addition to eternality, power and wisdom, the very nature of God conveys unity, submission, meekness, community, and action. This nature is what the church looks to emulate in terms of its functionality - is it possible?
v30 - And you shall “love God”…
Our efficacy for the kingdom hinges on this fact.
Why should I love God?
1. Aside from the fact He made you (Col. 1:16) and died for you (Rom. 5:8)…
2. See Deut. 11:1
3. See Joshua 22:5
How do I know if I love God?
b/c it should produce:
1. Joy. Ps 5:11.
2. Love to saints. 1Jo 5:1.
3. Love to people. 1Jo 4:7.
4. Hatred of sin. Ps 97:10.
5. Obedience to God. De 30:20; 1Jo 5:3, John 14:15
Basically, true love is an action that produces true change in you - how you love others, how you serve others, how you obey God, all hinge on loving Him.
Jesus could have said anything, but He knew love was what He had wanted from the beginning. Loving God was and is the oldest, most important command of all.
How can I love God more?
1. Ask God (see 2 Thess. 3:5).
2. Remember He loves you (1 John 4:19)
3. Remember that He refines our love (Deut 13:3).
4. Recall all that He has done (Joshua 22 and Deut 11
and Psalm 116:1)
5. Persevere through the dry times! (Jude 1:21)
6. Remind someone (Ps. 31:23)
