One of the religion scholars came up. Hearing the lively exchanges of question and answer and seeing how sharp Jesus was in his answers, he put in his question: “Which is most important of all the commandments?”
Mark 12:28 MSG

Theology…at best a way of trying to help us make sense of God and God’s mysterious ways, giving us a common understanding and language to talk about these things.

Until our human tendency towards bias and personal interpretation get’s in the way… at worst leading to division, confusion and preventing people from even considering becoming a follower of Jesus.

I wonder if you remember from my first post that I embarked on this study of the Gospels in order to simplify my life from the cultural and theological baggage gathered over a life-time of following Jesus. I have much sympathy for the question-asker in this story.

Being a scholar of religion meant that he was studying theology and had looked at its most intricate details. He was probably frequently caught up in debates and disputes over relatively minor issues of interpretation and personal preference. I sense a weariness and a desire to simplify (maybe I’m biased!).

In Mark’s telling of the story of Jesus this encounter happens in the week before Jesus’ crucifixion, and in the context of a lively question and answer session between Jesus and various religious leaders and teachers (Mark chapters 11 and 12). All the main Jewish theological factions (Pharisees, Sadducees and teachers of religion) are represented in the questioning of Jesus, for an equally varied set of motives. The scholar’s observation of how Jesus has handled the debate leads him to believe that Jesus may have a solution to his seeking heart and the theological wrangles that have brought him to this place and time. He’s tired of nit-picking arguments over minor issues and wants Jesus to give him the bigger picture.

Jesus answer demonstrates his deep knowledge of Torah. He puts together part of the ‘Shema Israel’ (roughly translated Listen, understand and obey O Israel) from Deuteronomy 4:6-9) that would have been familiar to everyone and a part of a less well-known verse from Leviticus 19:18 – “Don’t seek revenge or carry a grudge against any of your people. “Love your neighbour as yourself. I am God.”

Love God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy, and love others in the same way that you love yourself. For the teacher of religion the curtain opens and he sees beyond the rules, offerings and sacrifices of the Torah to what lies behind them…he knows “A wonderful answer!” when he sees it, and Jesus recognises and commends his insight.

It might seem naïve, but when I reflect on the struggles within churches, denominations, and between believers, I can’t help but wonder—if we truly lived by Jesus’ greatest commandment, wouldn’t we find ourselves much closer to God’s kingdom?

Love isn’t selective. We don’t get to measure who is worthy or decide how much love they receive. Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan makes it clear—our neighbour includes the overlooked, the despised, and the forgotten. To love as Jesus commands is to extend that same grace to all, just as we would want for ourselves.