Mark 12

“Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” (28). Jesus’ answer – to love the Lord with heart, soul, mind, and strength and, secondly, to love our neighbors as ourselves – came from Deuteronomy and Leviticus. These well-known teachings had been obscured by religious teachers who emphasized societal power and honor (38-39) rather than a real relationship with God. Like the widow giving her few cents (42), Jesus called people to live as if God’s approval was truly more important than man’s.

“Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” (17). Becoming flesh and living in our world, Jesus showed us what belonging to God looks like – real love for the Father and others, nothing less.