Walking By Faith

A Magazine of Faith, Hope & Everyday Grace

Meyer · Mark · Day 23

The First Commandment

Mark 12

28-44, To the young ruler our Lord named one command as great—the love of one’s neighbor. Now, in answer to this scribe, he turned with unerring choice, first to Deuteronomy 6:4, 5, and then to Leviticus 19:18, for the two pillars on which the collective and individual life of man must rest. The reverent answer of the scribe proves that he was no ordinary questioner; and our Lord acknowledged this when he told him that a few steps more would bring him into the kingdom of God. Our Lord was David’s son by human descent, but as Son of God, proceeding from the Father, he is exalted far above David and all mankind.

In terrible words, vs. 38-40, Christ denounced the moral and religious leaders of the time. They made a pretense and a gain of their religion. How great the contrast between them and this poor widow, who east into God’s treasury all that she had to provide for her day’s living! Our Lord is quick to notice acts like these, which give evidence of the true heart.

F. B. Meyer, Through the Bible Day by Day (1914–1918). Public domain.