One in Two

There are two Words of Jesus which measure the value of our living.  It is not that He is watching to determine if we are paying attention.  The measurement is not taken by Him so much as us.  It has been said that the human criticism of great art or music is not saying anything about the art, but a great deal about the one who carries the critical judgment.  In much the same way, these words of Jesus impact our lives. At first glance it seems that there are two words in that section of Scripture from the gospel of Mark, but a more deliberate look enables us to see that one impacts the other and neither one really stands alone.  

Mark 12:30-31 reads, "...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."  There is no word like this Word.  It is what it is: an issue of first importance.  However, Jesus went a bit further in response to the question, "Which commandment is the first of all?"  The word about loving God is followed with Him saying, "The second is this, you shall love your neighbor as yourself."  (Mark 12:31). "There is no other commandment greater than these," He said.  (Mark 12:31).  

Jesus speaks into existence two words, but connects them so that they become one. He did not say, "no commandments greater than these" which would not be surprising, but "no other commandment is greater than these."  To separate them in practice is to refute both parts of the one Word.  Obedience to only part diminishes the meaning of the whole.  We love God and our neighbor or we do not love either. To think and act differently is a perversion of the message which Jesus taught and for which He died.