Many questions and an answer from a man so close to the truth

By Dean Collins

Sometimes an employee asks me, “What’s the most important thing you want me working on right now?” The question may derive from a desire to please me or to make sure their work is driving toward the most important issue or opportunity. It’s a good question. It’s a question that clarifies. How I answer is important, because it might change a person’s behavior and level of engagement.

The scribes and Pharisees asked Jesus a lot of questions. So did his disciples. The Gospels are filled with these questions. Some questions were religious questions. Some political. Some were about behaviors. Others about priorities. Jesus also asked a lot of questions of the disciples and others around him. Sometimes he answered questions with questions, especially when he could tell the motive of the questioner was not about learning but more about trapping him. Some of those questions are the “gotcha” questions.

Sometimes he answered questions with questions,
especially when he realized the question was meant to trap him.

I’ve noticed in the news and social media feeds many “gotcha” questions. Both the secular and the saints seem to ask a lot of them lately. We all want to know exactly where a person stands relative to our position. Of course, we all think our position or opinion aligns with God’s. I suspect God does a lot of laughing and crying over how we attempt to present ourselves as the authority on many things. I suspect if we are honest we will agree we are often not close to knowing or understanding how God views many questions. Quoting lots of Scripture does not guarantee that one is even in the ballpark of God’s perspective on a matter.

Clarifying question

In the days leading up to the crucifixion, Mark tells us of some scribes who were arguing with one another and asking Jesus lots of questions. One scribe who believed Jesus was handling the questions well posed his own question: “Which commandment is the most important of all?” That’s a clarifying question. Most important is different than more important. Maybe the scribe was trying to wrap up the Q&A session so the group could go to dinner. Whatever his motive, I suspect the crowd got really quiet. This is the kind of question that can set you free or catch you in your tracks. Some in the audience were eager to catch Jesus, even while some others were eager to learn.

Some were eager to catch Jesus.

Jesus used the Scriptures to answer the question. He also managed to answer in a way that gave two answers wrapped in one.

He started with what some suggest was the pledge of allegiance of the Jewish people. It is called the Shema or Shema prayer. Every faithful Jew could quote it. Jesus started his answer with those familiar words: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 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.” These words are found in Deuteronomy.

But Jesus also wove words from Leviticus into his answer: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Hmm…did Jesus give two most important things or one? Come on, Jesus, this wasn't a multiple-choice question. If Jesus had given just the first part of his answer, some would have canceled him. If he gave just the second part, others would have canceled him. And honestly, even the answer he gave, as brilliant and perfect as it was, would lead to his ultimate cancellation on the cross.

Almost there

One scribe, just one, had the courage to respond to Jesus after his answer. “You are right, Teacher,” he said. “You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

This scribe was perceptive. He heard what Jesus said and even repeated it back to Jesus with insight. He saw that the heart of God evaluates our actions toward God and others as significantly more important than all of the things we do to show God and each other how loyal we are to him through our sacrifices and our lifestyles.

Jesus gave the scribe a B+ or maybe even an A- for his answer: “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”

That’s a pretty good grade. But “not far from” sounds different from “in” the kingdom of God. We all spend a lot of time and effort trying to be seen and known as the one who is in the group, not simply close to it. But there are many things we probably ought to think about as we seek to be in or relevant in certain circles. And one question worth asking: Does being in a particular group or ideology equal being a part of the kingdom of God, or does it possibly get me only close?

Does being in my group or believing my ideology get me in the kingdom, or only close?

One feature of my car’s navigation system is that it reminds me I am getting closer and closer to my destination. I may be hundreds of miles away, but as the time passes, the software tells me how many more hours, minutes, and miles until I get there. Eventually, the system declares “ End of Route.” But it’s both right and wrong. I am at the address I entered when I began my drive. But if I simply sit in my car, then I am near but not with the people or in the building I want to enter. I am close but not there. This was the situation with the scribe Jesus praised.

Jesus’ words in this encounter fit with all of his other teachings. Our behaviors must match our words, and both line up with Jesus only when we actually do what he asked us to do. Love God and love each other. The only way that is possible is when we realize that no one canceled Jesus, but Jesus canceled our sin on the cross so that we can have access to God and the ability to love each other genuinely because of the life he lives in us.

Most important

On our worst days we are still struggling to be in the right crowd, align with the right political party, and be seen as one who gets it. On our best days we understand that following Jesus is far more important and is demonstrated in how we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and love our neighbor as ourselves.

Your time with God’s Word
‭‭Mark‬ ‭12:28-34‬ ‭ESV

Photo by Artem Maltsev at Unsplash

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