The Call for Authenticity: Not far but Not there

Bible Passages:

28 ¶ 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?  29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:  30 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.  31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.  32 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:  33 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, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.  34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question. 

35 ¶ And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David?  36 For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.  37 David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly. 

38 ¶ And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,  39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:  40 Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation. 

41 ¶ And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.  42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.  43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:  44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. 

Introduction

We continue to witness the relentless onslaught against Jesus by the Pharisees, the Herodians, the Sadducees, and now the Scribes—a coordinated attack by those desperate to silence Him. The Pharisees, priests and rabbis, were rigid enforcers of the law, like a consuming fire, spreading its weight without grace. The Herodians, political sycophants to King Herod, thrived as elites under Roman rule, serving their own interests above all. The Sadducees, Chief Priests, wielded dominance on the Sanhedrin Council, ensuring their grip on power remained unshaken. And the Scribes—masters of legalism—held deep knowledge of the law, inscribing its details with unwavering precision.

In Chapters 11 through 15, we watch the tension rise, the plot thicken, and the inevitable path to the Crucifixion unfold. This is Passion Week—the final chapter of Jesus’s earthly ministry. We have moved through Chapters 11 and 12 for the last few weeks, watching Jesus forcefully drive out the moneychangers and moneylenders, purging His Father’s temple of corruption. This act directly opposed the Sadducees, who had permitted that den of thieves to flourish under their authority. The Pharisees, consumed by their self-righteousness, challenged Jesus: “By what authority do you do these things?” But Jesus turned their question against them, forcing them to confront the truth of John the Baptist’s divine calling. Then came the Herodians and Pharisees, scheming to ensnare Him with deceptive words, flattering Him only to trip Him into condemnation through the tribute to Caesar. Yet Jesus, in His divine wisdom, dismantled their trap with a statement so profound it echoes through history: “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, but render unto God what is God’s.”

Next came the Sadducees, attempting to twist the doctrine of resurrection with a perversion of Scripture, manufacturing an absurd hypothetical based on the Mosaic law in Deuteronomy. They referenced the law commanding a brother-in-law to marry a widow and bear a child to continue the first husband’s lineage. But Jesus, standing in undeniable truth, declared that God is the great “I AM—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” He proclaimed a living God, not a god of the dead. As Hebrews 10:31 warns: “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God!” And in Matthew 10:28, Jesus speaks with authority: “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Now, into this scene steps a Scribe, approaching Jesus with yet another question—leading us into the next passage. We find ourselves still within the temple courts of Jerusalem, where opposition has risen time and again—first the Pharisees, then the Herodians, then the Sadducees. Evil has wielded its willing vessels against the Son of Man, launching its relentless assault. But Jesus perceives their motives with divine clarity, weighing their hearts like gold on a scale. He speaks to one, and in doing so, rebukes them all.

In Mark 12:28–34, Jesus is asked to name the greatest of the 613 commandments. A few key observations emerge immediately: Scripture does not provide an explicit count of the 613 Mosaic laws, yet they are meticulously cataloged across Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy—contained within the first five books of the Septuagint, known to the Jewish people as the Torah.

Another key observation is that this scribe could simply have genuine curiosity about what Jesus is saying. The Messiah's explanation puts everything into perspective concerning the resurrection; Jesus meets the Sadducees at their level and with their own understanding, inviting them to something more. That " more " is what brought the Scribe forward!

Jesus, standing in the temple, calls forth the essence of the greatest commandment—He draws from "The Shema," the sacred recitation that every faithful Jew speaks, much like the Lord’s Prayer for Christians. The Shema is found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5, a declaration of unyielding devotion: “Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad.” "Listen, Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is One!"

And in this eternal truth, Jesus adds the foundation that must shape every fiber of our being: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, all thy soul, all thy mind, and all thy strength." Not part. Not some. All.

Yet, if we pause and look at our lives, we must ask: Do we truly understand what “all” means? Do we grasp the depth of such devotion? Because sin—insidious, creeping, festering—wages war against the fullness of love we owe to God. Sin does not just corrupt the flesh; it poisons the soul, fractures the mind, and weakens our very strength. Pride, jealousy, self-righteousness—they worm their way into our hearts, eroding our ability to surrender fully. We carve out spaces for ourselves, our desires, our ambitions—but leave no room for Jesus to move, to touch, to transform. We block the refining fire that seeks to purify us from image to image, glory to glory.

What does all mean to us? The Hebrew word "kole" translates as “whole.” It means completely, entirely, leaving nothing behind. Every part, every ounce, every breath. To love God with all our heart means holding nothing back in devotion. To love Him with all our soul means aligning our very being with His will. To love Him with all our mind means consuming ourselves with His truth above all else. And to love Him with all our strength means pressing forward in faith, no matter the cost.

But here is the painful reality—we say we love God with everything, yet the fruit of our love often reveals nothing. Instead of deep-rooted devotion, we see hollow religiosity, pride masquerading as righteousness, and self-righteousness bleeding into deception. And this is the very crisis Jesus confronts—even the Shema, the daily recitation of devotion, had grown stale in the hearts of the people. It had lost its depth, becoming just another routine, another hollow repetition. Are we any different today?

Where in our lives has devotion dulled into habit? Where has passion faded into obligation? Is it our prayer life, once fervent, now reduced to hurried whisper? Is it our Bible reading, once a feast, now merely a duty? Is it our meditation, once focused now dim? Where is our surrender?

And that is the truth. A life without true surrender—a love that does not consume all—leaves us open, vulnerable, drifting. The question is not whether we believe in God but whether we have truly given Him everything.

Looking at the spiritual battlefield unfolding, we see in 2 Cor 4:4 how the god of this world—Satan—has blinded the minds of the religious leaders, the political elites, and the legal scholars. Their hearts are hardened, their vision clouded, their souls consumed by pride. And yet, Jesus, in His divine wisdom, takes a truth that seems abstract and anchors it in the reality of love, revealing the fruit of the second greatest commandment: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

No commandment is greater than these, because the second fulfills the first. Love for God cannot exist apart from love for others. And love for others cannot exist apart from love for God. By your fruit, you are known. By your actions, your faith and spiritual walk are revealed. Your interactions with others reveal the depths of love in your life!

Jesus breathes life into what seems only theoretical—prophesying flesh unto dry bones, awakening what has been dead. He exposes the truth that love is not a mere sentiment, nor a fleeting emotion—it is action. It is movement, sacrifice, and devotion.

As 1 John 4:8 declares: “He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love.”

If love is merely spoken but never shown, it is empty—hollow, meaningless, vain. Love must be demonstrated, lived, poured out. Love is not known unless it is displayed. And God, in His overwhelming grace, does not simply declare love—He demonstrates it.

John 3:16 stands as the ultimate expression of divine love: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

God gave. He surrendered. He sacrificed. Love moves—it does not sit idle. And Jesus is calling His listeners—not just to hear, not just to recite, but to love in action, to love in truth, to love in demonstration.

Issue Then

ISSUE - Mark 12:28-34

We Are Commanded to Love God Supremely

James says, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (Jas 2:10).

When you put yourself back under the law, into sin, you are not free from it. With no liberty comes bondage to darkness, then creeps in judgment, and contention, and condescension. We judge, we hold to division, and we think ourselves better that reality. The reality is we all fall short of the glory of God, yet we see the pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, and scribes continue with no avail come against Christ. We see this today, we see division and superficiality. A sobering reality is there is a artificialness to our everyday lives. Don’t worry about artificial intelligence, the artificialness of your righteousness is already damning you to hell. The doors are already open for you where the worm never dies and the fire is never quenched. There is a deep and damaging aspect to Sin, it destroys us and devours us, it weighs us down, and it bounds us.

Sin’s Damage (Physical, Spiritual, Mentally)

Spiritual Damage:

(Sin separates us from God.) Romans 6:23 (KJV): "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

(Sin hides His face from us) Isaiah 59:2 (KJV): "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."

2. Physical Damage:

(Sin's consequences affect our bodies.) Romans 8:10 (KJV): "And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness."

(Sin causes physical suffering) Psalm 32:3-4 (KJV) “When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.”

3. Mental Damage:

(Sin distorts our thinking.) Romans 12:2 (KJV): "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

(Sin influences our thought patterns) 2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV): "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;"

What does it mean to Love God with all! 4 Times All is mentioned, and in four different aspects. To love God with ALL the Heart, ALL the Soul, ALL the MIND, ALL the Spirit. That number four is powerful biblically, it means complete. The number four in biblical numerology means complete. Some biblical illustrations are:

Jesus didn't arrive to the tomb of Lazarus until the fourth day to raise Lazarus.

There were four lepers in 2 Kings 7: During a severe famine in Samaria, four lepers, ostracized and desperate, venture out to the Syrian camp hoping to surrender. And as they approach the Syrian army, do you remember, the noises they made getting to the camp sounded like thousands of soldiers coming at the Syrians and they fled, leaving behind a fully stocked camp.

In Mark 10, Jesus asks Bartimaeus, "What do you want?" four times. Bartimaeus was a blind beggar. Jesus is not mocking this beggar; he is having a personal encounter, and Bartimaeus was forced to articulate his deepest longing in response to this question.

In Matthew 13:1-52, Jesus gives a series of parables about the kingdom of heaven. What is powerful is that Jesus spoke on four parables on the Kingdom of Heaven.

There are four corners of the earth, four cardinal directions, four seasons, and four horsemen. Scripture says Adonai will call the Israelites from the N, S, E, and W.

The number four means complete, and Jesus uses this four times to emphasize the word ALL more deeply. When used together, it puts a powerful emphasis on loving God completely!

Loving God with All of my Heart: The profound truth found in scripture is that what comes out of a person reflects their heart. In Matthew 15:18, Jesus says, "But the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart, and these defile them." Our words, actions, and attitudes are not random—they reveal the state of our hearts. If bitterness, anger, or selfishness flow from us, it signals a distant heart from God. But when love, grace, and truth pour out, it reflects a heart aligned with Him. This is precisely why loving God with all our heart matters. In Deuteronomy 6:5, we are commanded, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."

This is not passive or partial love but an all-consuming devotion. When we love God fully, it transforms our desires, thoughts, and behaviors. Our speech reflects kindness, our actions show humility, and our decisions align with righteousness—not because we are forcing ourselves to be good, but because our hearts are wholly surrendered to Him. Loving God with all of our heart is not just an ideal but a calling that reshapes everything about us. It means rejecting hypocrisy and empty words; it means our love for Him spills over into how we treat others, navigate struggles, and express our faith. True love for God does not stay hidden; it overflows through every aspect of our lives, proving that our hearts belong entirely to Him.

To Love God with all of your heart reveals the fruits of the heart:

(Our actions reveal our heart.) Matthew 7:20 (KJV): "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."

(Love is shown by obedience) 1 John 5:3 (KJV) “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”

To Love God with all of our heart means our heart is undefiled:

(Our words and actions reflect our heart's condition.) Mark 7:21-23 (KJV): "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."

Loving God with All Our Soul: Our soul represents our deepest, most intimate connection with God—our emotions, desires, and eternal being. Psalm 42:1 beautifully expresses this longing: "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God." To love God with all our soul means that our devotion isn’t superficial—it’s a deep, unwavering pursuit of Him. It means yearning for His presence and being fully surrendered to Him. Loving Him with our soul involves trusting Him with our fears, joys, and everything that makes us who we are.

(Our soul longs for God.) Psalm 119:25 (KJV): "My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word."

(Our soul thirsts for God.) Psalm 42:1-2 (KJV): "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?"

(Our soul is very valuable to God.) Matthew 10:28 (KJV) “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Loving God with All Our Mind: Loving God with our mind means fully engaging our intellect, thoughts, and understanding in devotion to Him. Romans 12:1-2 emphasizes this transformation: "As a living sacrifice, we are not to conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will." When our minds are renewed through His truth, we begin to think like Him, aligning our decisions, wisdom, and perspectives with His will. Loving God with our mind isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about intentionally pursuing His truth and letting it shape every thought. Romans 8:6 – "The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace." 2 Corinthians 10:5 – "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

(Our thoughts and intellect are to be devoted to God.) (We are to strive to think as Christ does.) Philippians 2:5 (KJV): "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:"

(Our minds are to be focused on Godly things) Colossians 3:2 (KJV) “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

(We have a mental strength that comes from God) 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV): "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

Loving God with All Our Strength: Loving God with all our strength means dedicating our energy, effort, and actions to His glory. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." It’s not just about physical might—it’s about using every ability, resource, and opportunity to serve Him wholeheartedly. Loving God with all our strength means pushing beyond convenience or comfort and living in a way that reflects unwavering devotion—every action, whether big or small, becomes an act of worship. Isaiah 40:31 – "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – "But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me...For when I am weak, then I am strong."

(Godly strength gives us the ability to Stand Firm in the Lord) Galatians 5:1 "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage

(Paul says after you have done everything else, Stand) Ephesians 6:13 "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

(Gods strength is shown in our weakness) 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (KJV) “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

(Jesus empowers us.) Philippians 4:13 (KJV): "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

1 John 4:10 "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." This verse emphasizes God's unconditional love, showing that love originates from Him—not from us. It highlights the sacrificial love of sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to atone for humanity's sins.

Some points for 31-34:

Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself—a commandment both profound and piercing, a truth that forces us into deep self-examination.

Do you love yourself? Do you nurture your body with food? Do you protect your soul with prayer? Or is your walk more selfish—more self-centered? How many times a day do your prayers rise for your family? For financial blessings to rain down upon your household? For angels to encamp around those you cherish? But Jesus is asking a far greater question—how many times have you prayed for your enemy?

As you love yourself, so you must love others. This is more than sentiment—it is complete surrender, complete yielding, complete focus on God. Loving Him with ALL. And in that surrender, in that fullness, flows the ability to love your neighbor as yourself.

Yet, we must not mistake selfishness for love. Selfishness craves attention, fosters self-reliance, breeds pride. It divides, isolates, and ignores. Have you ignored yourself? Have you ignored others? Have you allowed self-righteousness to cloak a lack of true love?

God desires a love in us that builds, strengthens, and transforms—a love that stirs confidence, cultivates assurance, and brings joy to His heart. Godly love esteems others above itself, yet paradoxically, in that self-denial, we find fulfillment.

Jesus tells us in Mark 12:31 to love ourselves—yet in Mark 8:34, He calls us to deny ourselves. "Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." How do these truths coexist? Because the more rightly we love ourselves, the more we deny ourselves and pour that love into others. True love is not indulgence—it is sacrifice. And such love is the highest offering we can give—more precious than burnt offerings, more sacred than sacrifice itself.

Loving God supremely and loving our neighbor genuinely—that is the essence of faith. That is the heart of obedience. That is the mark of a life truly surrendered.

Such Love Is a True Sacrifice To love God supremely and our neighbor genuinely "is far more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices."

And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. (1 Sam 15:22)

For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. (Hos 6:6)

ISSUE - Mark 12:35-40

The Coming of Jesus Reveals a Greater David Mark 12:35-37

Moving into our next passage we see Jesus now asking the Scribes a question: How say the Scribes that Christ is the Son of David? This simple question framed by Jesus to evoke an response from them and at the same time it reveals his presence to them as the Messiah but again we see how their minds are veiled by the god of this world. He frames his question from Psalm 110:1 - "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." In the framing of Jesus's question, Jesus one acknowledges the Holy Spirit to the Scribes which I find fascinating and he explains how can David call his son Lord, unless IOW by being emboldened by the Holy Spirit, David reveals that there will be a Lord and a Son, and the Lord will call his Son Lord. This completely flips their theological understanding on it's head. I love how the scripture says, the common people heard him gladly which means the Scribes did not receive what he said gladly but only the common people.

In a moment of truth, Jesus reveals a very literally truth knowing his revelation comes in another revelation merely three days away.

The Hypocrisy of Religion Mark 12:38-40

Jesus takes this moment to rebuke the Scribes and their hypocrisy in public. Juxtaposing them against their personal walk with God. Jesus specifically calls out the actions of the Scribes:

To wear clothing IOT draw attention. (38) had long robes and tassles on the sides; wore phylacteries. These were little leather type boxes which contained a piece of parchment with four passages of Scripture written on it. The Scriptures were Exo 13:1-10; Exo 13:11-16; Deu 6:4-9; and 11:13-21.

To exalt man through titles and greetings IOWs salutations (38)

To be seen, admired, and honored by those around them and in the public (39)

To prey upon the weak and use widows for gain (40)

To show exaggerated piety through long prayers.

There is no authenticity with the Scribes, something we see in so many with their spiritual walks. We live in a world drowning in deception—a world of counterfeit people, hollow pursuits, empty pretenses, and shallow beliefs. A world that has bred fake Christians—those who wear the name but lack the heart, who profess faith but deny power, who are consumed not with truth but with appearances. So many are trapped in the cycle of performance—obsessed with what they do, how they look, and how they are perceived by the world. Reputation reigns while true surrender fades into the background. But Jesus is not fooled.

Just as He sat in the temple in Mark 12, watching, perceiving, weighing the hearts of those around Him—He is still watching today. He sees beyond words, beyond rituals, beyond titles. He does not measure by outward performances but by the condition of the heart. And to those who have played the game but never truly known Him—He speaks the most terrifying words recorded in Scripture:

“Depart from me, you workers of iniquity, for I never knew you.”

Not “I once knew you.” Not “I have forgotten you.” But “I NEVER knew you.” How devastating to stand before the throne and realize that all the church attendance, all the religious gestures, all the outward righteousness meant nothing—because the heart was far from Him. This is the wake-up call. This is the warning. Jesus is watching—not for perfection, but for devotion. Not for performance, but for surrender. And the question remains: Does He KNOW you?

“Neither yield ye your members [bodily parts] as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God” (Rom 6:13).

“For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him” (Psa 49:17).

Just as the Scribes paraded themselves in flowing robes, craving admiration, thirsting for recognition, and positioning themselves in seats of honor—so too do we see their spirit alive today. They relished the chief places in the synagogues, basked in the highest rooms at feasts, and with a heart full of hypocrisy, devoured the houses of widows—exploiting the vulnerable, taking from those who had nothing left to give. And for this, their judgment will be great.

But this warning does not only apply to the religious elites of the past. It is a call to us now. The same fate awaits those who claim love for the Lord yet refuse to surrender completely.

"Lord, I love You with my all—but I cannot stop gossiping about so-and-so." "Lord, I love my neighbor—but I avoid him because something about him irritates me." "Lord, I love You—but I refuse to pray for my enemy. He has closed that chapter for us."

Yet Jesus calls for ALL. Not partial obedience. Not selective surrender. All.

The spirit that devoured widows’ houses is alive in hearts today—not in buildings, but in attitudes. Exploitation takes many forms. Corruption festers when love is hollow, when faith is spoken but not lived, when generosity is conditional, when justice is ignored, when mercy is withheld. And for this, the judgment remains.

True love for God transforms—it does not settle. It does not excuse bitterness, justify avoidance, or withhold forgiveness. It compels. It moves. It demands that we love even when it is uncomfortable, even when it costs us something.

For what good is a love that speaks but never acts? What good is devotion that prays yet never forgives? To love God with ALL means loving others without reserve.

“He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment” (Deu 10:18).

“Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow” (Deu 27:19).

“A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation” (Psa 68:5).

ISSUE - Mark 12:41-44

The contrast is striking—the self-indulgent scribes, exploiting widows for their own gain, and the humble poor widow, whose simple act of giving reflects a heart wholly surrendered to God. The scene shifts dramatically. Where once we saw religious leaders devouring widows’ houses, now we see a widow giving—not out of abundance, but out of deep sacrifice. At this time, the temple treasury held thirteen shofar chests, trumpet-shaped collection boxes where worshippers cast their offerings. And Jesus watched—not passively, but with divine perception.

He did not merely observe like one watches birds in the sky. He saw them, knew them, perceived their hearts and motives completely.

"Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5)

Just as God knew Jeremiah, He knows each of us—our intentions, our sacrifices, and the truth behind every action.

Jesus, weary from the tension of the day, sat near the treasury and beheld how the people gave (Mark 12). The word "beheld" (Greek: etheorei) signifies deep observation, a discerning gaze into the very soul of the giver. He saw many pouring in vast amounts, handfuls of coins clanging loudly as they slid into the collection boxes—yet none captured His admiration. Then came a poor widow. She approached quietly, unseen by most, and cast in two mites—the smallest coins, of little material worth. Yet in Jesus' eyes, it was the greatest offering that day. Because true giving is not measured by how much one gives, but by what remains afterward.

“Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which He hath given thee.” (Deuteronomy 16:17)

“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

The test of generosity is not in the quantity of the gift, but in the depth of the sacrifice. This widow, in her quiet devotion, foreshadows Christ Himself—for just three days later, He would give everything, holding nothing back, pouring out His very life for the salvation of the world.

Issue Now

Beyond Survival of the Heart

At the heart of Jesus’ response to the scribe in Mark 12:28-34 is an unmistakable call: love. Not love masked in performance, but love rooted in devotion to God and care for others. Modern churches sometimes drift toward ceremonial comfort zones—places where outward worship replaces inward surrender. Believers often know how to go through the motions but fail to cultivate genuine relationships with God and neighbors. Love isn’t measured by church attendance or eloquent prayers, but by how deeply we surrender our lives to God’s purposes.

True worship is not transactional. It’s not about doing good deeds in exchange for blessings. It’s about embracing our identity in Christ and pouring out our hearts to Him and to those He has placed in our lives. Yet how often do Christians today rely on ticking spiritual boxes while their love remains shallow? What we need is not performance but transformation—a faith that uproots pride and establishes humility.

Humility and the Struggle to Recognize Christ

When Jesus challenges the scribes on the nature of the Messiah (Mark 12:35-37), His words invite them to go deeper. He reveals that the Messiah is both David’s descendant and David’s Lord, bridging humanity and divinity. Charles Spurgeon, in his resounding voice, often proclaimed the blindness of spiritual pride—the way it leads us to hold tightly to our limited understanding rather than seeking the fullness of God’s truth. Spurgeon pleaded with his listeners to approach Scripture with humility, declaring that only in brokenness can we receive divine revelation.

Today, many believers resist going deeper in their faith. Why? Pride. We prefer our assumptions, our inherited interpretations, and our comfort zones to the mystery of God’s majesty. And in churches, this resistance manifests in division, dogmatism, and a lack of spiritual hunger. The question is—will we gladly receive Christ’s truths like the crowd or remain resistant like the religious leaders?

The Poison of Hypocrisy

Jesus’ stern warning about the scribes (Mark 12:38-40) reveals the danger of superficiality and arrogance. This echoes the concern for authentic faith, a faith lived in genuine relationship with God, not merely practiced as a ritual. Hypocrisy is “religion without relationship,” blinding us to the vulnerable in our midst and causing churches to prioritize comfort and image over mission. It’s a hollow performance that prioritizes status over genuine connection.

In today’s churches, we face the same temptation to prioritize appearances over authenticity. We can become obsessed with our platforms, our programs, and our buildings while neglecting the very heart of Christ’s message: humility and service. Hypocrisy in the church is dangerous because it alienates the lost and distorts the gospel. Faith must be lived authentically, in service to God and others—not in pursuit of recognition.

The Challenge of Sacrificial Giving

When Jesus honors the widow’s offering (Mark 12:41-44), He reminds us that true giving flows from trust and devotion—not abundance. Charles Spurgeon often spoke of sacrificial giving as “the act of a heart on fire,” urging believers to give not because they have much, but because they recognize how much they’ve received in Christ. Spurgeon warned against hoarding, declaring that nothing we possess is truly ours but is entrusted to us by God for His purposes.

But in modern Christianity, sacrificial giving has often been replaced by token generosity. We must examine our hearts, asking, “Are we giving to God out of convenience, or are we giving until it hurts?” Sacrificial giving is not about the amount—it’s about the heart. The widow gave “all her living,” not out of obligation but out of love and trust in God’s provision. In contrast, the rich gave from their surplus, a gesture devoid of sacrifice.

Today, the church wrestles with a deep tension: will we cling to material wealth, or will we trust God enough to give sacrificially? This challenge isn’t just financial—it’s a call to surrender our time, talents, and pride. We are stewards, not owners, and our lives should be marked by generosity that glorifies God and transforms communities.

A Fiery Call to Churches and Believers Today

The message of Mark 12 is clear and piercing: love, humility, authenticity, and sacrifice. Yet churches today often struggle to live these truths out. Pride blinds us, hypocrisy poisons us, and selfishness prevents us from reflecting the generosity of Christ. They remind us that the gospel is about relationship, not ritual; humility, not pride; authenticity, not hypocrisy; and sacrifice, not self-preservation.

So, the question remains—how will we respond? Will we continue to give God only scraps of our devotion, or will we give Him everything? Will we prioritize appearances or authenticity? The kingdom of God demands all—our love, our trust, our service, and our sacrifice. Let us bow our knees, look to the cross, and allow our hearts to be set ablaze for His glory. And in doing so, we will reflect the heartbeat of Christ to a world desperately in need of His light.

God Then & God Now

The Battle Within: God's Remedy for Today's Struggles

We live in a world relentlessly assaulting our minds, bodies, and souls. The constant barrage of negativity, temptation, and pressure leaves us fractured, depleted, and desperately seeking something more. This isn't a new struggle; it's the ancient reality of sin’s damage, echoing the truths laid bare in Scripture. Romans 6:23 reminds us that sin’s wage is death – a separation from God that manifests as spiritual emptiness, physical weariness, and a distorted, anxious mind (Romans 12:2). We feel it in the relentless comparison on social media, the crushing weight of expectations, the internal battles with doubt and fear. Psalm 32 speaks to this: the silence of unconfessed sin literally wears us down, leaving us parched and broken.

But God isn't distant from this struggle. He is the remedy. He calls us to a love that isn't just a feeling, but a complete surrender – a devotion of our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37). This isn't about religious obligation; it's about recognizing our desperate need for a Healer. Our hearts are easily defiled (Mark 7:21-23), our thoughts clouded by negativity, and our actions often betray our true desires. We try to "fix" ourselves through willpower, self-help, or fleeting pleasures, but these are merely bandages on a gaping wound.

This is where Jesus steps in. He is the gift of eternal life, the bridge across the chasm sin created. He doesn’t just forgive our actions; He transforms our very being. Through Him, we receive the strength to cast down those destructive thought patterns (2 Corinthians 10:5) and replace them with the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5). Philippians 4:13 isn’t a magic formula, but a testament to His empowering presence. When we feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and incapable, He steps in and carries the weight. Isaiah 40:31 isn’t just a promise for ancient Israelites; it’s a lifeline for us today, reminding us that in waiting on Him, we are renewed, strengthened, and empowered to face whatever lies ahead.

Our souls, designed to yearn for God (Psalm 42:1-2), are often suffocated by the noise and distractions of modern life. But Jesus offers a refuge, a restoration. He understands the value of our souls (Matthew 10:28) and offers freedom from the fear of destruction. The path to wholeness isn’t about achieving perfection; it’s about surrendering our brokenness to a perfect Savior. It’s about presenting our minds, bodies, and souls as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1), trusting that He will transform us from the inside out. It’s about remembering that in our weakness, His strength is made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

Today, amidst the chaos and the struggle, remember this: Jesus doesn't just offer a way out of the darkness, He offers a new life in His light. He doesn’t just forgive our sins; He empowers us to overcome them. He doesn’t just promise peace; He is our peace.

Living in the Overflow: Beyond

Accepting Jesus isn’t a one-time event that magically fixes everything. It’s the beginning of a lifelong journey of surrender, growth, and transformation. It’s moving beyond merely surviving the struggles of life to truly flourishing in His grace. And that flourishing isn't about a life devoid of hardship, but a life equipped to navigate hardship with joy, peace, and unwavering hope.

Think about the practical implications. We’re bombarded with messages telling us our worth is tied to our productivity, our appearance, our possessions. These are the “imaginations” and “high things” Paul speaks of in 2 Corinthians 10:5 – things that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God. Jesus calls us to dismantle those false narratives, to actively renew our minds by focusing on truth (Philippians 4:8). This means intentionally choosing to dwell on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and admirable. It means actively guarding our hearts and minds against the toxic influences that seek to steal our joy and distort our perception of reality.

This isn't passive. It requires discipline. It requires intentionality. It means setting boundaries, limiting exposure to negativity, and actively seeking out sources of encouragement and truth – Scripture, prayer, fellowship with other believers. It means recognizing that our minds are battlegrounds, and we must actively “gird up the loins of our mind” (1 Peter 1:13), preparing for the spiritual warfare that inevitably comes with following Christ.

But even when we stumble, even when we fall prey to temptation, even when our minds are clouded with doubt, Jesus remains faithful. He doesn’t condemn us for our failures; He offers grace and forgiveness. He reminds us that His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10), and that our imperfections are not a barrier to His love, but an invitation for Him to work even more powerfully in our lives.

Consider the widow’s offering (Mark 12:41-44). It wasn’t the amount of her gift that impressed Jesus, but the sacrifice behind it. She gave out of a place of genuine devotion, emptying herself completely for the sake of God. Similarly, our offering to God isn’t about grand gestures or perfect performance. It’s about a consistent, heartfelt surrender of our entire being – our thoughts, our emotions, our actions, our very lives.

This surrender isn't about losing our individuality; it's about aligning our will with God’s will, allowing Him to shape us into the people He created us to be. It’s about experiencing the fullness of life that He promised – a life characterized by joy, peace, and purpose. A life where our souls truly “cleave unto” Him (Psalm 119:25), and we find our ultimate satisfaction in His presence.

Today, ask yourself: Where am I clinging to control? What false narratives am I believing? What areas of my life am I refusing to surrender to God?

The invitation is open. The grace is sufficient. The strength is available. Step into the overflow of His love, and allow Him to transform you into the flourishing, whole, and purposeful person He designed you to be. Don't just survive; thrive in Him.

Salvation and God Moving Today

The consistent thread in these scriptures and God’s ongoing work is His desire to restore, redeem, and draw us closer to Him. Salvation is His ultimate gift—a gift we receive when we acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This salvation isn’t a transaction; it’s a transformation. Through it, we become new creations, filled with His Spirit and empowered to live lives of love, humility, and selflessness.

In a world that struggles with pride, self-reliance, and selective love, God offers a different path: one of surrender, grace, and sacrificial love. His actions then and now prove that He is unchanging—He still meets us where we are, convicts us lovingly, and equips us for lives that glorify Him.

So, the call is clear. Will we surrender our hearts fully to Him? Will we embrace the love that saves us and extend it to others? God is still moving powerfully today, and He invites each of us to be part of His redemptive story. Let us answer His call with faith, humility, and trust, for in doing so, we experience the fullness of His grace and the joy of His presence.

Benediction

Hebrews 13:20-21 (KJV):

"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."