The Great Commandment | Mark 12:18-27
Dr. Alan Brumback   -  

Which best describes you: rule follower, rule bender, or rule breaker? Psychologists say that most people have an inherent bias either for or against rules. Some people are compliant and fully accept rules and systems as they are and insist on precision in following procedures. Others are rebels who like to color outside the lines and do their own thing and can’t stand anyone telling them what to do. When it comes to Christianity a lot of people see it as just a set of rules to follow and rituals to do and because of that they struggle with the Bible and God. Young Martin Luther grew up in Roman Catholicism and in his misguided study saw Christianity as a set of rules to follow. He lived in fear and dread of God. He wrote, “Christ was depicted as a grim tyrant, a furious and stern judge who demanded much of us and imposed good works as a payment for our sins… I did not love, yes, I hated the righteous God who punishes sinners, and secretly, if not blasphemously, certainly murmuring greatly, I was angry with God.” Before he became a Christian, his view of God and what God wanted from him was warped because of his own fear of breaking the rules and going to hell. Christianity is not based on a set of rules to keep but a personal relationship with God that changes how we relate to everything.

On Tuesday, during Passion Week, Jesus is questioned by three different groups on three different topics. The Pharisees questioned Jesus politically about paying taxes to Rome. The Sadducees questioned Jesus theologically over the resurrection of the dead. Now the final confrontation will be legally over what God most wants from everyone. Jesus says that what God wants from us is to love Him supremely and love others selflessly based on His love for you.