Keep God First

Jesus is tested by the scribe, or teacher of the law about the law. The expert of the law is looking to question the originator of the law how the law works.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 12

28aOne of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and brecognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the 1foremost of all?”

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 12

28aOne of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and brecognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the 1foremost of all?”

Mark 12:28 NASB95

One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?”

Which command is the greatest command?

This questions points to that one command is good to know to keep the rest. Jesus looks to tell the foremost command.

Jesus is quoting again from Deuteronomy in the gospel of Mark.

New Living Translation Chapter 12

One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

29 Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD.

New Living Translation Chapter 12

One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

29 Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD.

Mark 12:28–29 NLT

One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord.

Jesus shows that keeping God first is the first thing one should understand.

Mark 12:29–31 NASB95

Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ “The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Knowing who God is brings wisdom.

Proverbs 1:7 NLT

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Keep your self last

Mark 12:31 NLT

The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

( NAS95)

What is the second command?

Mark 12:31 NLT

The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

Jesus gives a second command.

Jesus gives a second command.

This second command can be found

Leviticus 19:18 NLT

“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

Why are we called to love our neighbors?

What is love?

Both commands involve love with devotion.

God loves with faithful actions of kindess.

The first command is to Love God.

The second command is to Love your neighbor as yourself.

Both commands call for love to be shown.

Love is not optional but commanded.

Love is acted out and not talked out.

Love moves because it is action.

To love your neighbor as you love ourself will help you to serve others before yourself.

How to Love God

Worship God alone

Worship God is to put God in his proper place and adore him and praise him through words and actions.

Love God With your whole heart

With your whole heart is in all you do you show your love to God.

Love with all your soul

Your desires line up with God’s desire for your life.

Love with all your mind

Your thoughts will stay on pleasing God.

Love with all your strength.

With all your might (power) and strength