Mark 12:28b-34
As an act of faith Israelites prayed the Shema prayer twice a day, they knew the Law inside out and were good in practices of rituals. Jesus blends his Response to the question asked on the first commandants, He combines the traditional Shema prayer, Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Then he states the Attitude the Israelites should have; Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbour as yourself and act according to the voice of the prophet who declared that The Lord desires mercy, not sacrifice, and the acknowledgment of God, rather than burnt offerings.
What Jesus answers is actually the essence of the The Ten Commandments. The First three speak to us about our relationship with God and the next seven, how we should relates with those around us.
Jesus found it easy to respond and answer the query and dispute the scribes were involved in because He lived this dual commandment He declared here., The scribe/s too appreciated and acknowledged the response and The commandment explained. Jesus loved God and people until death, His sacrifice is Love
Let us put our efforts together to live this first and great command. Come Holy Spirit, bless and lead us in our efforts.
