October 28,
November 1, 2024
Law/Gospel Theme: What does God expect of me above all else? This question was asked of Jesus by a scribe, a Bible scholar of his day. Without hesitation, Jesus says that love of God and of neighbor are the top two.
First things first…all things in life require a solid foundation. Before work or building can be accomplished. This message reminds us of the importance of this basic principle. Using the alphabet as an example. We need letters to communicate through language. Just as we need rules or guidelines to do anything. What is the most important foundational rule? We are reminded several times in the Bible of the true “Greatest Commandment”: Love God with all of who we are. And love others as ourselves.
Prayer: Lord, we love because you first loved us. We desire love you with all of our heart. with all our strength. With all our soul. With all our mind. We also desire to love others as you have loved us. Help us to show that love. Every single day.
Hymn: # 64 O God, Our Help in Ages Past
Confession/Absolution:
LORD - we pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father. In Your compassion forgive us our sins. Known and unknown. Things done. And left undone. And so uphold us by Your Spirit. That we may live and serve you in newness of life. To the honor and glory of Your Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God have mercy on you. Forgive you all your sins. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. And may He strengthen you in all goodness. And by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
Mark 12:28-34
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?” 29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” 32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 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.” 34 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.
Hymn: #62 Now Thank We All our God
The two greatest commandments: Love God and neighbor. This week’s Gospel ends the period of Jesus’ answering questions. The public ministry comes to a climax with this final answer before the passion begins. A scribe honestly and sincerely asks Jesus which is the most important commandment. Jesus’ answer is approved by the scribe who agrees that loving God and neighbor is far more important than ritual and sacrifice. Jesus makes love of God and neighbor one commandment. But love of God precedes love of neighbor. We have a dual agreement:
The scribe agrees with Jesus’ answer, and Jesus agrees with the scribe’s answer. Yet, the scribe will chose to not be in the kingdom of God. To enter takes more than knowledge.
In our story for today certain leaders questioning Jesus were certainly focused on the law. They wanted to trick Jesus. But they also wanted to know which rules were the most important to follow. Jesus brings things all back to the most foundational principles. Reminding us that the first and foremost priority in our lives should be loving the Lord. We also have the blessing of knowing that God loved us first, and always will.
Why is the alphabet important? Well, these letters serve as the foundation for our language. You have to have letters to make sounds. And then when we put those letters and sounds together. We can make words.
When we put words together. We can create sentences and communicate ideas.
We can read whole books. And we can write things for one another. We can read the most important book, God’s Word, the Bible!
But we have to start with the alphabet! We have to have that as our foundation before we can do anything else with language.
You know, there are a lot of things in our lives that require some sort of first-step foundation. For instance, if you’re building something. You need to put a foundation down first before you build the rest.
If you’re making a pizza. You start with the dough. And then put on the toppings. What about in our lives as Christians?
What do you think might be the most important first and foremost principle we should follow before we do anything else?
This is something we see described often in the Bible. Jesus was once asked what the most important commandment is.
The people asking Him actually wanted to trick Him. As they had hundreds of rules and commandments they had devised to make themselves look good.
However, the response Jesus provided was to quote the Old Testament, saying that the most important thing we can do is to love God with all of who we are.
We should love God with our heart. Soul. Mind and strength. Jesus said this is the greatest commandment.
The second-greatest is to love our neighbor. Love God, and love one another. It’s not too complicated.
Jesus said all of the laws could be summed up by those simple elements. The most essential law is love!
This reminds me of another little letter trick…We can have true joy when we follow what Christ says here. We should put Jesus first above all things. Loving Him with all of who we are and seeking to serve Him in everything we do.
Then, we put Others next. Finally, we care for ourselves, but put Yourself last… This is how we can have “JOY”!
It’s not always easy. Sometimes we might not want to put God first. We might not want to love those around us. Especially if they aren’t our favorite people. Or they aren’t even very nice! But God can help us to do that.
God wants us to love Him. Because He knows that will bless our lives. And God loves US!
He loved us before we were even born. And He will always love us no matter what we do.
He wants what is best for us and promises to provide for us. What more can we do than give Him our heart, soul, mind, and strength?
Love God, and love one another! Let’s pray and thank God for His love, asking for His help in loving others.
Thank you Lord, for giving us firm foundations. Help us to love you with all of who we are. And help us love one another. Thank you for your blessings. Lord, thank you for your love and care. [1]
The Lord has given us one another and we give thanks for God’s grace and mercy as we offer prayers for the sick and suffering.
The Lord has given us the beauty of worship and the gift of fellowship with one another. We thank you Lord, for gathering us this day.
The Lord has given us life in a nation of opportunities and liberty; with public services such as fire and police protection, ambulances, food pantries, schools, libraries, and hospitals. We thank you Lord, for our national life.
The Lord has given us neighbors, friends, families, and coworkers to share the joys and burdens of this life. We thank you Lord, for the privilege of loving others.
The Lord has given us a world full of creatures that crawl, fly, swim, and climb. We enjoy a bounty of flowers and shrubs, grasses and trees, plants and moss, and rocks and hills. We thank you Lord, for your creation.
The Lord has given us a promise that where He goes, He will prepare a place for us.
We thank you Lord for the gift of life and for giving us to one another for safekeeping. Bring us home when it is time. Lord in your grace, hear our prayer.[2]
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