Article by Dr. Les Hollon, Pastor, St. Matthews Baptist Church

One man searching for life’s importance asked Jesus which Law was to be the sustaining guide for his existence.  The most important one, answered Jesus, is this: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is the one Lord; love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.  The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no greater commandment than these.” (Mark 12:29-31).

Concisely Jesus explained that a full & balanced love - for God, for people, and for oneself - is the basis of thought-action for everyone who would follow Him.

At times we can find ourselves accepting a godly truth as a knowledge claim without allowing it to affect our lives.  The inquisitive man had progressed beyond the knowledge claim but still wondered if he should allow it to change his life.  Jesus expressed to him that a knowledge claim without a life response is meaningless.

What was true then is true today.  We hunger to be loved and to love.  Our enacting love with each other, our families, and our neighborhood helps the world to see the truth of God’s love, one person at a time.

You will notice in this love story (Mark 12:28-34) that the seeker connected with Jesus in four ways.  

He heard.  He listened with his soul which filled his mind, heart, body, and spirit with Jesus’ voice & message.  Are you hearing Jesus?  

He noticed.  Jesus was not playing games with the game players.  He was truth in motion.  Are you noticing Jesus?  

He asked.  Hungering for life’s importance, he courageously stood in the midst of a mixed-up crowd and asked for Jesus’ help.  To him, Jesus revealed the meaning of love.  What are you asking Jesus?  

He agreed.  As a scribe, the man knew the Law.  In Jesus he saw the Law’s meaning.  Before a treacherous crowd, he publicly agreed with Jesus.  His admission brought him to the edge of God’s Kingdom.

Come into God’s Kingdom of Love,

Pastor Les Hollon

“A man can’t be always defending the truth; there must be a time for him to feed on it.”
-C.S. Lewis

This article was written by Les Hollon, Pastor of St. Matthews Baptist Church.  For more information about living life, St. Matthews Baptist Church, or to contact Dr. Hollon, click over to St. Matthews Baptist Church.