The Spirit of Truth; Whom The World Cannot Receive, Because It Sees Him Not, Neither Knows Him - Part 2157

"Wherefore I say unto thee, "Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." (Luke 7:47)

"And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, "Which is the first commandment of all?" And Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments [is], "Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is One Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment". And the second is like, [namely] this, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." There is none other commandment greater than these." And the scribe said unto Him, "Well, Master, Thou hast said the truth: for there is One God; and there is none other but He ..." (Mark 12:28-32)

From the very beginning, we are commanded to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength, as He should be our all in all. This first commandment was given in Deuteronomy 6:4-5, and on the New Testament side, Jesus confirms the same to the scribe in Mark 12:28-31. Indeed, as Jesus said, this is the first commandment of all. And as Jesus continues, the second is like this, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:31)

Jesus said, "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets ..." (Matthew 22:40; Matthew 22:34-40) 

Thus, while the world focuses on bringing us under the law, returning our souls under the bondage and ordinances of the Old Testament, the scribe focused on the truth -- that there is One God and there is none other but He. (Mark 12:32) Herein, the scribe continues, "And to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself" and that this is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. (Mark 12:32-33) 

Given the scribe's response, I would venture to suggest that there isn't a whole lot left for this world -- IF we love the Lord with ALL our heart, and with ALL understanding, and with ALL the soul, and with ALL the strength.  That means our everything is the Lord's and that it is He that establishes our steps in the day to day. It also means our nourishment comes from communing with the Bread of life -- the Word made flesh -- Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us -- JESUS! (John 8:58; John 1:1-14; Matthew 1:21-23; I Timothy 3:16) 

It is no wonder Jesus discreetly answers the scribe, saying, "thou art not far from the Kingdom of God!" (Mark 12:34) For the scribe pared through the commandments and what he heard was -- "Hear O Israel, the Lord thy God is One Lord!" And that this One Lord thy God is worthy of ALL our praise and honour and glory, for He is the Great I AM.

As Jesus stated, "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life! No man comes to the Father but by Me!" (John 14:6) Why is this true? Because as Jesus shared with His disciples in the same instance, "If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also; and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him." (John 14:7-9) 

As Jesus said in another place, "I and My Father are ONE!" (John 10:30) 

Stand in the offering plate.