Agreeing with Jesus

“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 most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” The second is this: “Love your neighbor as yourself.^“ There is no commandment greater than these.’

‘”Well said, teacher,’ the man replied. ‘You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.’

“When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.” Mark 12:28-34

The unnamed scribe, drawn to Jesus by His handling of disputes with the religious leaders, asks a defining question. When the others nitpicked about hypotheticals, trying to catch Jesus in some inconsistency, He told them they erred by not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. Their contrary attitudes sparked from wrong motives and understanding of God. The honest inquirer, with pure intent, sought definitive instruction on the greatest commandment, and was memorialized by his assent to Jesus’ response. (Mark 12:13-27)

Our grappling with the ways of God and truths of Scripture is welcome in His sight. The Lord Jesus stands ready to clarify what we want to know in faith, urging us on to deeper understanding and trust. He exposes an opposing spirit so He can correct and elevate our thinking.

Do our questions of God rise from a fighting or inquiring spirit? Is it our habit to approach Him with clenched fists and underlying accusation, a contrary posture, or a ready defense? Or do we earnestly seek and embrace His wisdom with open hands? Are we more inclined to nay-say and argue with ‘buts’ and excuses than to accept and agree?

True seekers are open to a washing and illuminating, a reordering of outlook, attitude, and loves. Every honest exploration will be met with truth than directs and transforms. Naming doubts and misunderstandings with an open heart goes a long way to growing in the Word and ways of God. How genuinely do we want to know the truth? How willing are we to consent to and apply what the Lord God conveys? The more we agree with the Lord, the more He will reveal and conform us to His way of thinking and living. (John 13:5-9)

“O for a heart to seek my God,
a heart from sin set free,
a heart believing all He says,
and e’en when hard, agrees.

Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart;
obedient, honest, true;
grant heart and impulse, thought renewed,
As only You can do.” ~Charles Wesley (1742) and PEB

Lord, identify me by my agreement with You, so Your love and word and glory are reflected in all I do and say.