Today’s Gospel reading presents one of those quirky little stories that I’m sure have pretty deep theological meaning, but to me just seems kind of funny.
One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall 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: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Brooklyn_Museum_-_The_Scribe_Stood_to_Tempt_Jesus_(Le_scribe_se_leva_pour_tenter_Jésus)_-_James_Tissot_-_overall
Before the humor sets in, Jesus quashes the false dichotomy between the “Old Testament God” and the “New Testament God” and what He requires of us. The Mosaic Law had lots of rules, yes, but the intent of those rules was to get Israel to do exactly what Jesus identifies: to love God completely above all else and then our neighbors. He did not come to abolish but to fulfill.
The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
Here is one of the scribes, a group of which Jesus is pretty critical, confirming that Jesus, second Person of the omnipotent Trinity, indeed gave the correct answer to his question. Of course, a problem with Biblical interpretation (as well as facebook posts) is an inability to capture the mood or manner of the speaker. The scribe could have been truly humble and surprised at Jesus’ answer, as if what Jesus said had not occurred to him before. Perhaps this scribe was like the Good Samaritan, one who bucks the prevailing trends of his group and does what is consistent with God’s will. Jesus’ answer may have provided him with clarity.
But as I read it, I picture the scribe, somewhat smug in knowing the answer and trying to trip Jesus up, ask Him a Theology 101 question to see how smart He is. As if Jesus needs verification that He is the Truth. When I get to heaven I want to ask Jesus how many times He smirks as He interacts with us. “Wow, Jesus! I can’t believe how joyful I became when I finally did what You asked!” “Really? I’m glad (*chuckles to Himself*).”
But Jesus is infinitely more humble and patient than I will ever be:
And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”
At the halfway point of Lent, let’s continue our journey of getting closer to the Kingdom of God by loving God with our whole heart and our neighbor as ourselves.