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The Gospel Truth What is the most important thing that Jesus did? It would be hard to choose between the incarnation, manifestation, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. All of these events are integral in giving us the gospel, the good news of how the person and work of Jesus Christ can make us children of God. There are several, and they are all important. Speaking of the gospel, what is the most important thing that Jesus said? Actually, we don't know all his sayings and doings (John 21:25), but our four gospels give us an inspired and sufficient summary. Taking them together, it is still hard to pick out Jesus' best sermon or saying. From his first sermon on repentance and faith (Mark 1:15), to his famous sermon on the mount (Matthew 5- 7), to his upper room discourse delivered before his death (John 13-17), all of Jesus' speeches are superlative. There are several, and they are all important. This specific text begs this question: what is the most important thing that we can do for God? Well, there are several. They are all important. And we learn them, oddly enough, from Jesus and a "scribe." Read Mark 12:28-34. Come to Him with an Open Mind "One of the scribes came and heard them arguing ..." (vs. 28) There is a difference between argument and dialogue. People with closed minds ("I'm right, you're wrong") argue. People with open minds dialogue. Not much good comes from argument. Great good can come from open dialogue, which is what we have here between Jesus and this scribe. A "scribe" (also known as "lawyer" or "teacher of the law") was a special category of pharisee in Jesus' day. They were responsible for making copies of God's word and teaching it to God's people. I take it that this scribe was familiar with the word of God, the scriptures. I also take it that this scribe had become familiar with the word of God, Jesus Christ (John 1:1ff; Hebrews 4:12ff; etc.). He was probably aware of the events of the past three years. He was certainly aware of the confrontations recorded for us in Mark 12:13ff. Now it was his opportunity to question the Word about the word. I think he asked his question with an open mind. I do not think he was like most of his colleagues who used the Bible for their own purposes and came to Jesus in order to entrap him. I think the scribe was a man who openly searched the scriptures and came to Jesus wanting to know what was the most important thing about God and man. I hope this describes you, too. It is a most important thing. Ask Him an Honest Question "What commandment is the foremost of all?" (vs. 28) One of my seminary professors, Dr. Haddon Robinson, taught me the key to discovering truth. Simply ask questions. Robinson said, "I had six faithful friends, they taught me all I knew, their names were what, when, where, why, how, and who." This is a most important thing. God, in his sovereign grace, has given to man an incredible opportunity. He has given us the Scriptures and he has given us his son so that we can know him and belong to him. If we are open, if we are honest, and if we humbly ask the right questions, God will give us life-changing, soul-saving answers. This scribe asked an open, honest, humble question of Jesus. He was an expert in commandments. He believed that keeping commandments was the way to work your way to heaven. So, realizing there was something unique and special about Jesus, he asked him an honest question. What is the most important commandment? Wouldn't you like to know, too? Listen to What He Has to Say "Jesus answered ... Hear ..." (vs. 29-31) Heretofore the scribes and pharisees had listened but not heard. Therefore, they had gotten the gospel backwards. They taught that if you do enough things for God then you can experience acceptance by God. Salvation was by works, they said. But if we will just hear God, then we will get the gospel right. Works cannot lead to a saving experience. But a saving experience will lead to good works.What is that experience? It is love. Notice Jesus only gives half the gospel here, but it is enough to make it whole. Christ's ministry had already established the fact that God loves the world (John 3:16). But such love will do you no good if you do not love (agape, unconditional love) in return. It is this latter love that Jesus is speaking of here, if you can hear. Love is an unforgettable experience in which you give yourself unconditionally to another. This is what it means to fall in love (illustrate from marriage ...). To be saved you must fall in love with God. To love God is to unreservedly give him first place in your heart (loves, priorities), your soul (lifestyle, schedule), your mind and your strength (efforts, or works). When you experience this kind of saving love, you will show it in your love for others. The two commandments are tied together. Genuine Christianity mak- es you a responsible church member who is a good witness and worker in the world. This is important because this is the gospel. Have you heard it before? Have a Mind that Understands "Right, Teacher; you have truly stated ..." (vs. 32-33) This scribe heard Jesus for the first time. And he almost understood, too. But at this moment, he lacked something very important. Notice what the scribe got right. Religion cannot make you right with God. He had been steeped in it as a Jew, a pharisee, and a scribe. He did not hear Jesus say to neglect offering and sacrifice (also Luke 11:42, note the importance of public worship, offerings, etc.). He understood Jesus to say that religious activity, although important, is not the most important thing. Which brings us back to love. How can we truly love God? By accepting his son, Jesus Christ, as Lord. Did this scribe to this? Not yet. Notice what the scribe got wrong. Jesus is not merely the teacher, he is Lord (Mark 12:35- 37). The scribe should not have address God as "him" when speaking to Jesus, but as "you." Here is the kicker. Here is a fair minded, kind hearted, devoutly religious, synagogue member and leader, who was absolutely lost and separated from God and eternal life. He was "not far" but obviously he wasn't yet in. So Jesus answered his questions, presented the heart of the gospel, told him the most important thing in life, then left him with this unusual invitation. Make a Complete Commitment to Jesus "You are not far from the kingdom of God." (vs. 34) Did this scribe get saved? Well, not by the end of the textual story. But I want to believe he ultimately did come to God through Jesus. If his "intelligent" answer was eventually conjoined with an emotional and volitional commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord, then we will see him in heaven.
I want to see all of you in heaven, too. So I am going to leave you today, as I do every time I preach, with an unusual invitation. It has always been remarkable to me what Jesus did not do in this story. He did not strike up the organ and sing six verses of "Just As I Am." He did not ask the scribe to bow his head, close his eyes, and repeat a prayer. He did not get the scribe to sign a pledge card. Jesus trusted God's spirit and God's word to do God's work. So do I. Read vs. 29-31. Are you far, near, or inside the kingdom of God?
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