5/19/2019 The Most Important Commandment

Today’s scripture is Mark chapter 12, 28-34.​ We dealt with the story about the most important commandment. Sometimes, we miss the most important thing. The most important thing in a hair shop is not interior, drinks, kindness, but the ability to taking care of hair. in Last Sunday’s story, One of the teachers of the law came and asked him “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” Jesus said, “The most important one is this: '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 mind and with all your strength.” this line was quoted by Jesus Christ in the old testament from Deuteronomy chapter 6:4-5. the verses are called “Shema” means “hear, O Isreal.” Shema is one of the most significant teachings in the old testament. It is a kind of summary of the all commandments about God. And then Jesus said that “the second is Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." 
we have to remember two things in this sermon. First,  these laws “love God and love your neighbor” is not two laws. It is just one law. That means, if you love your God, you have to love your neighbors. If you love God, but you do not love your neighbor like friends, family, even church members, it is the lie that you said “I love God.” we have to consider about it. 
Second, we have to be thinking of the answer to the teacher of the law.  he said that “yes, you are right, To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” as you remember, that season was Passover which is the most important day in Israel. All of Israelite came to Jerusalem which is the capital city of Israel for the offering. But he realized that to obey God’s commandment “love God and love your neighbor” is more important than the offering. the offering was so significant ceremony which Israel people ought to follow, but the teacher of the law and Jesus Christ knew that the most important thing is not offering, but loving God and neighbor. That means intention, the motivation of worship is more significant than performing worship. we can attend the church and join the worship service without loving God. 
So, remember that two laws are just one law well-connected and motivation is more important than performing worship.