Gospel of Mark: Freedom to Love: Mark 12:28-44
Part of Mark - The Gospel of Mark: Part 4
May 27, 2024

Title: Gospel of Mark: Freedom to Love
Scripture: Mark 12:28-44
Date: 6-2-2024
Bible Version: NLT

BOTTOM LINE: Jesus frees us to live a life of faith, love, and generosity.

THE MOST IMPORTANT COMMANDMENT

Vs. 28-34

29 Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. 30 And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. ’No other commandment is greater than these.” 32 The teacher of religious law replied, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth by saying that there is only one God and no other. 33 And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law.” 34 Realizing how much the man understood, Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.

  • God’s commandments are not burdensome. They can be reduced to two simple principles. Love God and love others. These commands are from the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18).

  • Why did Jesus answer a singular question about the greatest commandment by giving two commandments? - Could it be the two are connected?

1 John 4:20

If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?

  • If we say we love God our love for others should also show up in our lives.

  • When you love God completely and care for others as you care for yourself, then you have fulfilled the intent of the Ten Commandments and the other Old Testament laws.

John 14:15

“If you love me, obey my commandments.”

  • How I demonstrate my love for God is walking in obedience. Not perfection, not legalism, but humble obedience. Out of our love for Jesus overflows a desire to keep his commands.

    1. Live upward by loving God.
    2. Live inward by loving ourselves (Our identity in Christ).
    3. Live outward by loving others.

JESUS ASKS A QUESTION

Vs. 35-37
35 Later, as Jesus was teaching the people in the Temple, he asked, “Why do the teachers of religious law claim that the Messiah is the son of David? 36 For David himself, speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said, ‘The LORD said to my Lord, Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies beneath your feet.’ 37 Since David himself called the Messiah ‘my Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?” The large crowd listened to him with great delight.

  • Jesus showing his mastery of the Scriptures forced the religious leaders to take a deeper look at the Messiah’s identity and asks how is the Son of David, also the Lord of David?

  • Without clearly stating it, Jesus was lifting the veil of his divine identity.

    1. Jesus explains the Messiah was not just to be a descendant of David, but God himself.
    2. Jesus affirms the Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit.

JESUS WARNS AGAINST THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS

Vs. 38-40

38 Jesus also taught: “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. 39 And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. 40 Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be more severely punished.”

  • Jesus confronted the religious leaders’ hypocrisy and lack of heartfelt obedience. Their relationship with God was far more show than substance.

  • Jesus is cautioning against becoming so preoccupied with the outward appearance that we neglect the inward transformation that God desires.

  • We need to search our own hearts and motives for insincerity and pretending to be something we’re not.

THE WIDOW’S OFFERING

Vs. 41-44

41 Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. 42 Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. 43 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. 44 For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”

  • From this vantage point Jesus observed the crowd putting their money in the temple treasury.

  • In contrast to the loud clattering of rich people’s offerings, a poor widow silently gave all she had.

  • Though her gift was by far the smallest in monetary value, it was the greatest of sacrifice.

  • Stewardship is a matter of the heart.

It is not the portion but the proportion that is important: the rich gave out of their abundance, but the poor widow gave all that she had. For the rich, their gifts were a small contribution, but for the widow, her gift was true consecration of her whole life. —Warren Wiersbe

  • A sacrifice that costs nothing, is worth nothing.

WHERE IS YOUR HEART?

  • Jesus noticed the widow who displayed a heart of total surrender, commitment to God, and a willingness to trust in His provision.

  • We may not be asked to give all we have; Jesus was not making that point in this example. But we must have the generous heart attitude of this widow and not the self-seeking, deceitful heart of the Pharisees.

Hebrews 13:16

And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

  • Our Lord notices every act of service coming from a sincere heart.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION:

  • What does it look like for you to love God with all your heart this week?
  • In what ways does a heart of obedience reflect your love for God?
  • What is God saying to you about loving your neighbor?
  • What areas of your attitude towards giving do you think God can adjust?

Want to get practical?

🧡 Wholehearted: Living By The Greatest Commandment - 5 Day Reading Plan

🤲 3:10 Challenge: Tithing is not about money, it’s about trusting God. Commit to honor God with the first 10% of your income, and begin tithing regularly for the next three months and see how God works in your life.

🌱 Grow in Community - Find Your Group. LifeGroups are how we grow and care for one another.