Mark 12:28-34

Love is the only thing that matters in this life and it is the only thing that we can carry with us into eternal life. Why does it seem to be so hard for us to love God and put Him first in our life and to love all people and care for their well being as much as we care about ourselves and our well being? If Christians have any hope of attaining what Christ called for us to do we must change our positions about helping people, all people, for what difference does it make if we only care for those who we like and who like us, doesn't everyone do that? Sometimes I wonder if God uses our tax system to make sure that those with greater income are forced to provide for the weak and poor of our society knowing that they would not do it out of the command to do so because of God's love for them.

The first commandment summarizes the first four of the Ten Commandments. The second is the essence of commandments five through ten, which relate to the treatment of other people.

Jesus' comparison of the percentages contributed by the rich and the poor reminds us that God measures not how much we give, but how much we retain. Those with greater income have an obligation to return a larger percentage of it to God's work.

Question of the Greatest Commandment

12:28 Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, "Which is the first commandment of all?"

29 Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' 3This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

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.

35 Then Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple, "How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David? 36 For David himself said by the Holy Spirit:

'The Lord said to my Lord,

"Sit at My right hand,

Till I make Your enemies Your footstool."'

37 Therefore David himself calls Him 'Lord'; how is He then his Son?"

And the common people heard Him gladly.

Jesus Condemns the Leaders

38 Then He said to them in His teaching,  "Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, 39 the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, 40 who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation."

41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood."