28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard the Sadducees arguing. He noticed that Jesus had given the Sadducees a good answer. So he asked him, “Which is the most important of all the commandments?”

29 Jesus answered, “Here is the most important one. Moses said, ‘Israel, listen to me. The Lord is our God. The Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your mind and with all your strength.’ (Deuteronomy 6:4,5) 31 And here is the second one. ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ (Leviticus 19:18) There is no commandment more important than these.”

32 “You have spoken well, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one. There is no other God but him. 33 To love God with all your heart and mind and strength is very important. So is loving your neighbor as you love yourself. These things are more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34 Jesus saw that the man had answered wisely. He said to him, “You are not far from God’s kingdom.” From then on, no one dared to ask Jesus any more questions.

For the Adults:

When explaining this passage, N.T. Wright asks, “What would you take from your house if it was on fire?” Think for a moment. Of course small children who can’t get out on their own, but what are those things that are so important to you, they can’t be left behind?

In a sense, that’s what the teacher of the law is asking Jesus. We have to remember that the Jewish commandments were far more than the ten commandments we tend to talk about in church (how many can you say right now?). Based on Jesus’ answers in the preceding passage, this gentlemen truly seems interested in what Jesus has to say and wants to know what he should take in case of a fire. Jesus answered him with three distinct points: 1. The Lord our God is One - strong Jewish monotheistic statement; 2. Love the Lord Your God with all your heart…; 3. Love your neighbor as yourself. The lawyer was impressed and surmises that these three points were more important than the whole of the Jewish sacrificial system. Remember when Jesus turned tables in the temple a few chapters ago in Mark 11? I think he was on to something! The young man answers wisely and Jesus says that he is not far from the Kingdom of Heaven!

Heaven is not just some place we go when we die, it is a Kingdom God has established that we have the opportunity to live into every day. We are closest to God’s Kingdom when we acknowledge the one true God and love him with everything we have - that is the greatest commandment. The next commandment is directly related in that our love for God must be manifested in our love for others as we love our neighbors as ourselves.

Now that COVID-19 is seemingly “burning” everything around us, how have our priorities shifted? In light of this pandemic, what is really most important to us? Have we been able to refocus on God above all else? What does loving God and others mean for you? How do we show love for God daily, weekly, and monthly? How do we show love for our COVID-19 neighbors living in our house? How do we show love for our COVID-19 neighbors at the store when they take too much toilet paper or grab the last batch of eggs? How do we show love for those in our midst who are on the front lines serving during this pandemic or suffering through COVID-19 diagnoses?

These questions are the ones that many of us have time to ask now. Those that are still working may not have more time, but can at least see the fire-like importance that this pandemic has brought upon us. Now is the time to decide what is most important to take with us as we try to escape this pandemic fire.

For the Kids

Enter:

What was the most interesting thing that happened to you today?

Where did you see God’s handiwork?

Are there any answered prayers for which you are thankful?

Hear:

Read the passage.

Pause:

Sit for a few moments…see if you can sit longer than yesterday!

Wonder:

Do you think this teacher of the law was trying to trap Jesus?

In your own words, what is Jesus’ answer to the greatest commandment?

How can we love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength?

How can we love our neighbors as ourselves?

Bless:

Affirm what was discussed about the story.

Revisit the things the kids brought up during the “Enter” time.

Pray together:

Praise God, Give thanks, Pray for others, confess sins, Praise God!

Example:

Dear God, we praise you for making the birds in the sky, the trees on the ground, and the fish in the sea. We thank you for your word and the greatest commandment - to Love you. Help us to love you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Show us how we can love others as ourselves. Forgive us when we have made mistakes and thank you for our family and this time together!

Amen!