Dave’s Monday Blast – August 11, 2025
n Mark 12 we have an incredible opportunity to listen in as Jesus is confronted by a gaggle of Pharisees and Herodians who were “sent” to entrap Him into making false statements, thereby discrediting Him and His authority to teach. He answered a wide variety of questions with divine wisdom, and they found themselves confounded as they expected a different outcome.
A certain scribe (one of the gaggle of learned) asked a direct, yet seemingly simple question, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” Men of INTENTION will recall this exchange, and the significance of His answer. (verse 29) “The foremost is, ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord’; (verse 30) And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength, (verse 31) The second is this, ‘Your shall love your neighbor as yourself’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
The scribe comments in verse 32: “Right, Teacher; You have truly stated that He is One, and there is no one else besides Him…” (I imagine Jesus was greatly relieved that He passed the test)! As the chapter account unfolds we note that Jesus affirms that this particular scribe is “…not far from the kingdom of God…”, as he seemed to truly understand that greatest commandment of all is that we love the Lord our God and that Jesus may just be “the one”.
The First15 devotional comments: “Real love…the kind that Jesus describes…isn’t just a feeling. It’s a choice. A rhythm. A posture of surrender. It’s about offering all of you…heart, soul, mind, and strength…even when you don’t feel much at all.” First15 has created a new devotional entitled “LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD” designed to break down this most important command into a 30 day journey encouraging reflection on a different part of how we’re called to love the Lord:
With your heart – in obedience, even when it is inconvenient
With your soul – through honest worship and personal connection
With your mind – by renewing your thoughts with His truth
With your strength – in daily choices, sacrifices, and habits
If your walk with God feels inconsistent lately, or you are not sure what to do when the feelings just are not there…this devotional might help get you back on track as you focus on making the first thing the first thing…Love the Lord your God. To receive a copy simply google Denison Ministries!
