The Primary Objective
Judging motives is a slippery slope. It can be an exhausting workout of an exercise in futility. Nonetheless, the reason behind an action taken can be significant.
That was a recent consideration on a passage that is familiar to many. Both Matthew, (22:34 -40) and Mark (12:28-31) record the question posed by the lawyer (scribe) who ask Jesus “Teacher, what is the great commandment in the Law?” (What commandment is the foremost of all?).
The passages infer, or state, that the Pharisees had been questioning Jesus. It could be another instance where the motive was “trap the teacher”. We can be critical of the Pharisees, but then emulate them when we come across His truth running contrary to our desires.
Another option for the intent could be the frustration of trying to obey all the laws/commandments. Maybe if it could be narrowed to “the main thing”. One could then infer the others to be of less importance, maybe even “cultural”.
Or possibly the very lucid thought of wanting to understand the primary objective, and be clear on the criteria for obtaining that objective, could at the heart of the question.
As noted, knowing the true motive is speculation, but considering such possibilities can lead to some fruitful introspection, being that we could find ourselves having any one of those motives. For the purpose of this brief discussion, let us consider the third intent.
Consider the initial imperative in Jesus’ response as recorded in Mathew’s account – “You shall love”. God both desires and requires our love, and all that we give to that love with what He has given us. That was the purpose in His creating us in His image; so that we would have the capacity for relationship, for His glory.
Setting aside for now the seemingly incomprehensible ideas that develop from that thought, it is significant to consider some implications of His stating “This is the great and foremost commandment.”
Does that suggest the multitude of other commandments, including the second one noted, are of diminished importance? Is not the value of the commandments their making known to us what pleases, and/or displeases our Lord?
Perhaps a better way to deal with these questions is to ask ourselves if we might be missing the “primary objective”. Could we be “majoring in minors”?
One of many illustrations could be the following. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth”. – 2 Tim. 2:15 NAS.
Feeling the conviction of the command one could pursue this with quality effort, diligence, and commitment. But along the way this could become an end in itself and not the means toward THE end. As Paul notes in 1 Cor. 8:1 “… knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.”
Without keeping the primary objective at the forefront, and keeping in mind God’s word on the position of those saved in Christ as a joint heir, and a child of the heavenly Father, we may indeed find “the devil is in the details”.
Upon further review, do we find ourselves “majoring in minors”? Do we start with “You shall love …”? Maybe we need to return to the primary objective and give our attention to how we obtain, and retain, that objective.
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