What Jesus Did! 'An Honest Seeker' — Mark 12:28

Thursday, September 5, 2024

One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate [between Jesus and the Jewish leaders]. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"

— Mark 12:28 NLT

Key Thought

An honest seeker overhears the questions intended to trap Jesus and is impressed with Jesus' answers. He asks an honest question: "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" When Scripture says something is most important, we should pay attention! When Jesus says it, we had better offer obedience! Don't you think we would be better served in our Christian communities if we stopped the arguments over all the peripheral things that divide us and focused on the things that Scripture says are most important? So let's join this teacher each day as we approach Scripture and ask, "O Lord, what is most important?" Then let's commit to being obedient to what the Lord tells us and reveals to us!

Today's Prayer

Father in heaven, I do love you. Help me show that love through a life of obedience that is focused on the things that you value as most important! In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Some Mountains Matter More
Article by Phil Ware
So how do we know our mountains of greatest importance? Phil Ware continues his series on knowing the mountains on which we are willing to die -- both doctrinal and missional mountains of significance.

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 12:28 NLT — "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, September 5, 2024

Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God’s Power Works Through Our Weaknesses'
"Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of...."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
2 Corinthians 5:21
"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'They Do Not Have the Spirit!' (Jude)
"[The apostles] told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. These people are the ones who...."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Reflecting Heaven's Glory While Under Attack'
"So [the men debating unsuccessfully with Stephen] persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, "We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God." This...."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!