My dear readers,

1. The greatest commandment (Mark 12:28‑34)

Moses ascends the mountain to receive the two tables of stone containing the Ten Commandments or the decalogue. The Jews ever since have been obliged to obey these moral laws, being the sole reci­pients of the oracles of God. Jesus is thoroughly familiar with all the laws of Moses contained in his five books, also called the Pentateuch. In the sermon on the Mount, our Lord gives a thorough exposition on the laws and states very clearly His position. He affirms the unchang­eability of the laws,

"…Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled"(Matt 5:18).

He confirms His per­sonal commitment to the laws by saying,

"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil" (Matt 5:17).

According to Scroggie, the Jews found 613 precepts in the Pentateuch and divided them into two categories. They also had two emphases: the ceremonial and the moral. The Pharisees as a class em­phasize the non-essential and neglect the vital. The debate on the law continues.

The scribe who comes to question Jesus seems to be an honest man. He is amazed at the simplicity, profundity and spirituality of Christ’s answers to the previous two questions. "Which is the first com­mandment of all?" the scribe asks (Mark 12:28).

The First Commandment (Mark 12:29)

The first commandment is a quote from Deuteronomy 6:4–5:

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might."

The first in importance speaks of Jehovah’s Sovereignty, Unity and Covenant relationship with His people (Scroggie). It also states man’s duty toward God.

The Second Commandment (Mark 12:31)

The second commandment is another quote from the Pentateuch,

"… thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself..." (Lev 19:18).

This command­ment epitomizes man’s duty towards other men. To love God and to love one’s neighbour whole‑heartedly is that which pleases God above all else.

2. "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15)

Daily Remembrancer

"Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command ye"(John 15:14). Obedience to the Lord forms the Christian’s grand rule of life. Jesus commands us because He loves us; because He desires our total welfare; because He will prove the sincerity of our profession; and because He expects the obedience of faith. He commands us to follow Him as our great pattern and example; and we should endeavour to imitate Him in His Spirit, and design, and actions. He commands us to believe Him, profess Him, obey Him, and continue in His love. Here we have the Christian’s grand motive and spring of action: love. Spiritual love is always loyal to the King of Zion, jealous for the glory of the Lord of Hosts, and devoted to the cause of the Prince of Peace. The obedience of love is easy, hearty, and ready. Love is the strongest incentive to obedience; it conquers fear, supplies zeal, equips with courage, overcomes difficulties, and triumphs over opposition. Let us inquire, from what does our obedience spring? By what is it regulated? Do we really love our God?

Love is the fountain whence

All true obedience flows;

The Christian serves the God he loves,

And loves the God he knows.

May love o’er every power preside,

And every thought and action guide.

3. Man’s chief end

"…Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."(Eccl 12:13)

"Lord of my life, You have made me for one purpose – to glorify You and to enjoy You for ever. Verily the life which has missed this divine purpose is empty and vain. Teach me then, O God, this lesson of life, a lesson which I must learn and constantly relearn. For this present visible world is ever so seductive, pretending to be everything when it is nothing, nothing good for the soul.

"O Father, keep me from the snare of riches, and the vain honours and pleasures of this life. Show me so clearly the things of lasting worth, the things of Thy eternal Kingdom, that nothing else will satisfy me. Teach me to think and plan for eternity, for time is but vapour and bubble. Grant me grace always to pursue after true holiness and godliness. Hold before my eyes, O God, Thy one true purpose for me – to live only for Thee. May I serve Thee with fervent love, through Christ my Lord. Amen." – (Reproduced from "66 Pocket Prayers")

God bless all readers.

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,

Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor