Mark 12:28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
The four verses here can be summed up quite succinctly by a billboard I once saw, which read: “Just love everyone. I’ll sort them out later. ~God” When I struggle in my faith, I often default to this condensed version of Mark 12:28-31.
Mark 12:29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
It isn’t always easy, but being able to show unconditional positive regard to every life that walks through my classroom door is a gift. Encouraging them, supporting them, allowing them space to breathe and process and be, it is what God has called me to do. It grows my faith and my trust in God every single day. And I am so far from perfect at doing it, but every day I have the opportunity to try again.
Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
Lord, Thank You that Your foundation is love. Thank You for showing us again and again through Your word how to love those who seem less than lovable. Help me to “just love everyone,” knowing my actions help draw us both closer to You. Amen.
Mark 12:31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Have a blessed day.