Mark 12:28-44

Long before Jesus was born as a human being, God led the Israelites out of slavery into a land where they would begin a new life. He'd chosen the Israelites to be his representatives, to reflect him to the world, and to tell others about him. (That story is in Exodus and Numbers.)

God gave his people some very important words that we often call The 10 Commandments. Moses, the leader of the Israelites, said this about God’s words:

“Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up” (Deuteronomy 6:4-7).

Jesus repeated these very same words, probably learned from his earthly parents, many generations later.

Religion often gets a bad name. But Jesus was a very religious man in the best sense. He loved God fully. He worshipped God faithfully. He studied and knew Scripture. He taught Scripture. He obeyed God’s laws. His actions always matched his words. And he wants his followers to do the same.

READ & REFLECT

Mark 12:28-44

verses 28-43 (Jesus quotes Scripture)

How do you love (or: follow, obey, surrender to) God with your

head (mind, thoughts)
heart (convictions, affections, desires)
hands (actions, service)

Which of these (head, heart, hands) is the most natural and life-giving in your life with Jesus?
When do your thoughts, affections, and actions work together for good?
When do you find it difficult for your thoughts, affections, and actions to be lined up together with God’s will?

verses 41-44 (a woman gives everything)

How did the woman's actions show that she loved God with her whole heart, soul, mind, and strength?

General Reflection:

What do you learn about Jesus from this passage?
What do you learn about following Jesus from this passage?

Extra Info

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The Hebrew word shema means “listen.” The verses Jesus quotes in this chapter of Mark (29-31) are from Deuteronomy 6. They were known as "the shema” because of the first word. For more about the shema, check out this video from BibleProject.
In the Old Testament, when you see the word LORD written with small caps, it represents the holy and personal name of God, Yahweh, which the Jewish people considered too sacred to speak. It has just four letters in the original language and is called the Tetragrammaton.
For more about head-heart-hands, check out the video and content here.

Old Testament References

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Exodus 3:6

Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Leviticus 19:18

Psalm 110:1

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2103 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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