There are many reasons to ask questions. One reason is because we wish to learn something. We are ignorant about a certain topic and we ask questions about what we do not understand. Another reason to ask questions is for clarity. For example, if someone tells us something which seems to contradict what he said earlier, we might ask some questions to make sure we heard properly or to receive a fuller explanation. Still another use for questions is in teaching. We ask questions to get a student to think more about a topic or to see how much he already knows.
Unfortunately, there is also another kind of question. It is the hypocritical question which, on the surface, appears as an honest request for information. However, in reality, it is designed to trap someone or cause him trouble.
Several times Jesus encountered people who asked Him these kinds of hypocritical questions. Some religious leaders who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees along with people who belonged to King Herod’s political party asked Jesus whether it was right to pay taxes to Caesar. Their intent was to trap Jesus into saying something they could use as a pretext to arrest Him. After Jesus gave a wise answer which foiled their attempt to trap Him, some who belonged to the sect of the Sadducees asked a question about the resurrection. Apparently this was an attempt to force Jesus to agree with their claim that the resurrection will not occur. Whatever their intent, Jesus’ reply only exposed their own ignorance and lack of belief.
Not everyone who questioned Jesus did so with impure motives. At least one of the Pharisees genuinely wanted to know what Jesus believed. Mark writes about it in chapter 12, verses 28 through 34. “One of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together, and knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the greatest of all?” Jesus answered, “The greatest is, ‘Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one: 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.’ This is the first commandment. The second is like this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” The scribe said to him, “Truly, teacher, you have said well that he is one, and there is none other but he, and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from God’s Kingdom.” No one dared ask him any question after that.”
The question this man asked was a reasonable one. There are over 600 statutes or regulations in the Law of Moses. These laws not only regulate worship but also many other aspects of life. For example, there are rules concerning property rights and about how to farm. Obviously, not every law applies in all situations nor to every person at all times. Because of this, it was necessary for the Jewish people to prioritize – which laws were more important than others? A related question was, “Is there one supreme law from which all the others can be derived?”
In light of this, it was very reasonable for the man to ask Jesus which was the greatest commandment. Since Jesus had given wise answers to the other questions people asked Him, perhaps He could bring some clarity to this issue as well. In addition, from some of Jesus’ actions, such as healing on the Sabbath, it might have been possible for some people to conclude that Jesus did not have a high regard for the Law. Therefore, it was necessary to discover what Jesus’ view of the Law really was. What did Jesus regard as important? What principle guided His life and teaching?
Jesus responded by quoting Deuteronomy chapter 6, verses 4 and 5, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (NIV)
As Jesus indicated, true religion has God at its center and is focused on God. King Solomon wrote that without God all of our accomplishments, our activities, our possessions and even life itself are totally meaningless. Another Scripture explains it this way, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV)
It is important to note that Jesus affirmed that God is One. People claim that the followers of Christ worship three gods. This is a false accusation. Jesus, Himself, said that there is only One God.
But it is not enough to merely acknowledge that God exists and that He is One. We must also love Him with our whole being. Otherwise, our religious practices are empty rituals bereft of benefit or power. God said this to those who went through the rituals commanded by the Law, but did not love Him, “Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you,” says the LORD Almighty, “and I will accept no offering from your hands.”” (Malachi 1:6-10 NIV) What about us? Do we love the Lord, or are we merely going through empty rituals?
Jesus went on to quote from Leviticus chapter 19, verse 18 as the second most important commandment, “…love your neighbor as yourself….” If we love God, it follows that we will also love those whom God loves. And if we love, we have kept the Law. The Apostle Paul explains it this way, “The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” (Romans 13:9-10 NIV) The Apostle John goes so far as to write, “If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.” (1 John 4:20 NIV) By that standard do we really love God, or are we merely mouthing empty words? Would Jesus say of us, as He said of the man who asked the question, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”?