THE LAST WEEK OF JESUS' PUBLIC MINISTRY AND HIS CRUCIFIXION

-The Great Commandment

-Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 20:40

-In the continuing effort to tempt Jesus, one of the scribes (Mark 12:28), a lawyer (Matt 22:35),

 asked Jesus, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?” (Matthew 22:36).

            -“According to the statement of Jewish writers, there had been an old and interminable

             dispute among the rabbis as to which was the greatest commandment.  Some held that it was

             the law which commanded sacrifices; others, that which commanded the wearing of

             phylacteries; others contended for those about purification; others, for those about the great

             feasts.  But as they reckoned the commandments of Moses as numbering over six hundred,

             there was plenty of room for argument.  On this memorable day the answers of Jesus had

             hitherto been of such a nature as to put his questioners to silence.  Therefore, in asking this

             question, they hoped to get an answer about which they could at least find room to wrangle,

             and thus discredit the wisdom of Jesus” (McGarvey/Pendleton, pg 603).

-In response to the question, Jesus quoted 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.” 

            -This attests to the existence of the Almighty God, reminds mankind of the attitude and

             devotion we are to exhibit toward Him, and serves as the foundation upon which all other

             commands are built. 

-Jesus then indicated the second command which comes from Leviticus 19:18 - “...thou shalt

 love thy neighbour as thyself...”

            -Our love toward God should result in love for our fellow man.  In this second command we

             find a summary of how mankind is to interact with one another - the motivation from which

             our actions are to derive - from love. 

-“On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:40).

-Once again, Jesus receives a compliment for His answer (as recorded in Mark 12:32-33).

            -“When we remember the legalism of the whole Rabbinical fraternity, the stress they had put

             upon the minutest acts in and for themselves, the practices which had led Jesus to charge

             them with tithing garden herbs while neglecting judgment, mercy and truth, we must realize

             the immense stride this man took in this explicit endorsement of Jesus.  The form in which

             he states it was especially calculated to displease his companions, and bears testimony to the

             enthusiasm which must have filled his heart at the moment” (Dorris, pgs 289-290).

            -Jesus, knowing the man had responded wisely, said, “Thou are not far from the kingdom of

             God” (Mark 12:34). 

                        -This is a wonderful statement when those who are close to the kingdom continue to take

                         the steps necessary to enter into it.  However, such is a tragic statement when those close

                         to the kingdom draw no closer and remain outside. 

-From this point on the Jewish leaders would not ask Jesus any more questions.

            -“They found it expedient to keep silence when their questions only exposed their own

             shallowness, and made more conspicuous the supreme wisdom of Jesus” (McGarvey/

             Pendleton, pg 604).

            -“The courage of the Pharisees, Herodians, and Sadducees now vanished; they will now

             have to follow some other course in order to destroy Jesus” (Boles, Luke, pg 388).