Today´s reading:
OT: Numbers 4-5
NT: Mark 12:18-37
Ps: Psalm 48
Pr: Proverbs 10:26
Today´s notable verse:
28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
29 "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31 The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
Mark 12:28-31 (NIV)
The interesting thing I note about Jesus declaring these two commandments as greatest is that neither actually comes from the "Ten Commandments": The former is from Deuteronomy 6:4-5, and the latter from Leviticus 19:18. It just strikes me a bit that even today, we place so much emphasis on the "Ten Commandments", yet this passage reminds me that we are called to a so much higher standard.
The One Year Bible Blog asks:
Comments from You & Question of the Day - Based on my reflections in the OT, have you ever had volunteer duties at your church that were less than glamorous duties? 🙂 Do you think that maybe these duties were actually very glamorous to God, even if they weren't glamorous to the world? Do you make it a habit of volunteering at your church regularly? What are some volunteer things you do for your church to help "carry the load" of your church's ministry?
Serving in the church - in whatever capacity - is so vitally important. I am thankful that God blessed me with a desire to serve. I could be painting, or cleaning the toilets, or whatever, and still find great satisfaction in serving. Actually, I like those kinds of service, because I like doing the less-glamorous, less-visible things - the things that go un-recognized. I really don't like getting recognition for such things - it has always made me uneasy. Having a pastor or someone offer a sincere "thanks you" is one thing - but I'd rather not be pointed out publicly. And I am thankful that God has made me that way, because I would much rather receive my praise from Him in the end, than usurp His glory today by having men praise me instead of Him.
I think my volunteer activities have run the gamut. When I was young, my dad cared for the church baptistry, and I helped him with that. I've served on committees, helped run a coffee house, served as an usher and on the alter care team at my church in Michigan, done manual labor (setup/cleanup for events, etc.) wherever needed; at my church now, I work in the preschool and serve on the worship team - pretty much, whatever I've been asked to do, or wherever I see a need I might be able to meet.
It does sadden me somewhat that, no matter what capacity of service, it often seems that the same, small group of people are serving. That's not so much true for my current church; it seems that a larger-than-average percentage of the members serve in some capacity or another. In fact, the major emphasis for the church this year is "Serve St. Louis" - getting the body out of the building, and meeting the needs of our city. Such an undertaking cannot and will not happen without a body instilled and empassioned with a desire to serve.
I happend upon your blog through a link to mine. The bible verse you quote here caught my attention. And so I ask, if we are commanded to love our neighbor more than ourselves, and this is one of the two that is higher than all the others, the “Golden Rule”…then why is it that so often we attack the arguer instead of the argument?
I am sincere in my question. Some of us are trying to help bridge the gap between the left and the right. I am a Christian, in the Navy, and sit on the left. Some out there, notably the right, have taken offense to this position. We want to foster an enviroment were people can come together on varius blogs and argue/debate civily on the issues that are before our country.
Hi Lance,
Thanks for stopping by, and thank you so much for your question!
I have always strived to attack arguments while respecting the arguer. I have the utmost respect for those who hold positions and beliefs opposing mine, but who can articulate those beliefs and positions reasonably, without resorting to ad hominem attacks.
To that end, I welcome any criticism in that regard; anyone is welcome to call me out for resorting to ad hominem attacks.
Interestingly, I find myself in the same circumstance as you do, when attempting to bridge the gap between left and right – especially among Christians.
When I first moved to St. Louis, I began attending a Graduate/Young Professionals group that was a ministry of the Lutheran Campus Ministry at a local university; I found myself far to the right of the rest of the group. In the end, I stopped attending, because I was ostracized and outcast simply for holding different political/social/theological beliefs. Those who preached tolerance the loudest ended up being the most intolerant of anyone with a different belief than their own.
Rather than “stir the pot”, I decided that remaining in the group would in no way foster the “unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” – and rather than cause division, I left the group.
It is truly sad that believers cannot find more common ground.
You are welcome here anytime, and I welcome your input!