Montrose, Colorado
Rev. Willis A. (Bert) Jones, a country preacher
June 1, 2012
The Greatest Commandment
Mark 12:28-34
The Greatest Commandment
Mark 12:28-34
While thinking about the words for "Love" in the New Testament, I came by the scripture found in Mark 12:28-34. Parallel references are also found in Matthew 22:34-40 and Luke 21:37. Today we will look at the Mark selection with reference to the other three gospels.
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." "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." And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions. (Mark 12:28-34 NIV)
According to Luke, this was the fourth question that was asked Jesus that day, just before the arrest and crucifixion. The various Jewish religious leaders were testing Jesus teaching in the Temple courts. This question was concerning what is the greatest commandment. Jesus answered according the Jewish tradition. The greatest element in this answer is the word "LOVE." In this case (the word in Greek "agapao") the God kind of love. This kind of love does not require a response, but loves as an unselfish act. This "Love" is expressed in John 15:12, 13, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."
The other expression of love in the New Testament is "phileo" from which we get the word Philadelphia. This is brotherly affection. An interesting example of phileo vs. agapao is found in Peter and Jesus' conversation recorded at John 21:15-19 where Jesus asks Peter if he loved him. Peter, having just denied knowing Jesus three times; used the word phileo three times. Jesus twice used agapao and the third time phileo. Jesus wanted unselfish dedication, but Peter understood his weakness and offered only brotherly love. Jesus accepted this change of words for "love" with grace still commissioning Peter to take care of the people of God, the Christians.