Tag Archives: hope

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes & Small Group Questions

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When Faith and Culture Collide. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

v. 1 Now about the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need for explanations.

These verses connect directly to 4:13-18. The concerns the church had for those who had passed away regarding the Parousia were matched by their need to understand what happens to those who love Jesus and are alive when He returns. That’s the reason for the “Now, about that…” beginning. It almost appears they have been chatting with Paul about this already.

In ch. 4, Paul had need to write in order to help; here in ch. 5, he doesn’t have to explain in order to help. He simply encourages with the truth.

Concerning “times and seasons” can be times and opportunities or opportune moments. The two words indicate the stretch of time generally and the specific time period. And it would be that specific time where opportunity to live for the Kingdom is found.

Matthew 24 and Acts 1:7 relate directly what Jesus says. It’s not for us to know the very moment.

Illustration: Late Great Planet Earth, my experience. Click bait or worse at times. If you are interested in End Times Prophecies I recommend you read and watch with wisdom. Ask this question: does this knowledge propel me to live the Good News more effectively and fervently? Or does this knowledge only affirm my worries or concerns instead of causing me to fall in love with Jesus and live and share the Good News with more passion?

v. 2 Because you know all too well that the Day of the Lord comes like a thief during the night.

Paul likes to remind the church that “you, yourselves know…” In this case, they know very well that Jesus will come, and will come without warning.

In this set of verses, the church in our understanding is contrasted with the world who has ignored Jesus.

John 14 – Jesus goes away in order to come back and make things right.

The world is having “its day.” The Lord will come and bring His Day, His judgment, His reign.

Is there a connection between the Day of the Lord and Sunday’s worship becoming known as “the Lord’s Day.” It’s a foretaste of heaven to worship Jesus, see His grace and power poured out, etc.

Like a thief who intentionally shows up without warning, without noise, and in the night, to catch the person unawares.

v. 3 For while others might boast, “Peace, prosperity, stability,” at that very hour ruin looms suddenly;  just like a woman having a child has labor pains in her womb, it’s inescapable.

Ezekiel 13:10 and elsewhere, “they will say peace where there is no peace.” The boasts of peace and prosperity are echo chamber promises that don’t pan out. Peace and there is war; prosperity and there is want; stability and at the same time shifting sands. The verse means at the very time they proudly spout “peace” the opposition is happening.

One verb means “hanging over” and the adverb is suddenly.

v. 4 You, however, are not in the dark in such a manner that the Day should overcome you like a thief.

Since we are not walking around in the dark, we recognize the truth and see the Day coming. It will not suddenly loom as we are alert; neither will it bring pains like the sudden throes of labor. We see the thief at the stoop; we see the Day since we are children of the day.

v. 5 Because you all live as children of light and belong to the day; we do not live for the darkness and in the night.

For the Christian, the Day of the Lord will be filled with light, goodness, revelation, truth, joy; for the world, that Day will be like night, fearful, wandering aimlessly, destructive. You are sons and daughters of light.

Because we are children of light, we see, we know, we are freed from fear, our sin doesn’t haunt us, the guilt that holds others prisoners is gone in the light, the hope for a future is a product of the light.

Because we are children of light, we are ready for the Day of the Lord.

v. 6 We, then, don’t live as if we are asleep like everyone else but we keep our eyes open and  live sensibly.

Sleep is essential to life; but living as if we are asleep to the truth, to the mission of the Kingdom’s Good News, leaves us dead spiritually. We thrive when we are alive to the Good News. We live circumspectly and soberly. We keep our senses about us.

v. 7 For there are those who live like they are asleep in the night and those who are in the dark and barely aware from their drunken slumber.

Both of these images go against what people know are good healthy practices. If you live all the time as if you were asleep in the dead of night, you would not have real life. If you were drunken and lived in a stupor all day as if you had been on a binge, you would not have real life (but a real hangover.) If I did a verbatim translation: They that sleep, sleep in the night; they that are drunk, are drunk in the night.

This is juxtaposed with the following verse.

v. 8 But because we belong to the day, we should be clear-headed; since we are suited up with faith’s spiritual Kevlar, with love, and with the headgear of redemption’s hope.

Remember the earlier call to sober or mindful living. Here we are sober or clear-headed. And the reason is we live in Christ and have his protective gear on. Breastplate and helmet. Kevlar is the modern breastplate.

v. 9 After all, God has not positioned us for wrath, but instead we possess salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ;

God has not destined us, determined for us, positioned us for wrath. Instead, it’s salvation we have in Christ Jesus.

We have obtained, we possess salvation in Christ.

v. 10 The one who died for us so that together with Him, we might live no matter if we are alert and alive or asleep in death.

This refers back to the last chapter and those asleep in Christ (dead) will receive their reward but if we can live, we can also as alert and alive followers of Jesus still meet him.

The Gospel is Christ’s Redemptive as well as Returning work.

v. 11 That’s the reason you can encourage one another and build each other up just like you are already doing.

There is the reason for hope: He has saved us, not for wrath and punishment, but for redemption and relationship. Jesus will come again to make all things right. He will leave no one who trusts in Him behind. Edify is the word we’ve used for decades. Lift up each other. Build one another up.

Small Group Questions:

  1. Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met or known?
  2. Before we read our passage, what is one thing you have heard about regarding Jesus and His Second Coming?
  3. Why does this passage compare the “Day of the Lord” or Jesus’ Return to a thief and to childbirth? How does this help us be awake?
  4. What “times or seasons” do you see that makes you consider that Jesus will return soon?
  5. How can we pray and be encouraged today?

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

(PRT) 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

v. 13  Brothers and sisters, I don’t want you to be uninstructed regarding those who have died, for this very reason: you should not be sorrowful as everyone else who have no hope.

v. 14 For indeed, since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that because of Jesus, God will lead and come with those who have already died.

v. 15 Indeed, this we firmly teach you in line with the Lord’s Word: we who are alive and remain until the Presence of the  Lord fully comes, will in no way have a head start on those who have died.

v. 16 Because the Lord, Himself, with a signal  command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God will come down from heaven; and then the dead in Christ will rise first.

v. 17 Only then, we who are alive and remain at the same time with them will be taken away in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; then, afterwards, will be with the Lord forever.

v. 18 Therefore, strengthen one another with these words.

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

v. 13  Brothers and sisters, I don’t want you to be uninstructed regarding those who have died, for this very reason: you should not be sorrowful as everyone else who have no hope.

This verse and v. 18 are connected. We have hope because we are in Jesus. And, even if we are the ones who are here when He returns in full Presence as King and Conqueror, we will not be apart from those who have gone before us. He will gather them; then us. That is a comfort we can’t yet imagine.

They are concerned because they look to the Parousia; they are overly concerned because of insufficient teaching. Paul comes in this letter to bring clarity in line with the truth of Jesus.

“Sorrowful” in v. 13 and “strengthen” in v. 18 are paired. This is his purpose in writing.

We grieve,  yes, we grieve; but we don’t grieve from the place of despair and hopelessness. We have eternity and life in Jesus. Eph 2:12 says, without Christ, one is without hope and without God.

 v. 14 For indeed, since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that because of Jesus, God will lead and come with those who have already died.

“Because of Jesus” is “through” Jesus. What He accomplished and who we trust in are both wrapped up in “because of Jesus.”  He has fully pleased the Father by conquering death; and now He presents the trophy, those whom He has redeemed.

This verse brings together the hope that Good News of the Kingdom fills us with. We are forgiven and redeemed at the Cross, established and restored from death, take part in the resurrection, and now come with the Lord to share in His Kingdom.

v. 15 Indeed, this we firmly teach you in line with the Lord’s Word: we who are alive and remain until the Presence of the  Lord fully comes, will in no way have a head start on those who have died.

“in line” or according to the Word of the Lord would indicate this is a universal doctrinal point, even though there are dozens of variations on how he will return. As this is not a quote or referred to specifically in the Gospels, we can assume that the Spirit revealed this to Paul for this very purpose. The big point: the Parousia. The little point: His reward comes with him, first to the faithful who sleep, then for those alive at his appearing. They were concerned that those who had died had somehow dropped in priority in the Father’s plans, or worse, had lost their place.

“Presence of the Lord” comes fully can also be translated more simply Appearing or Return; but the word has such a Kingdom note from the Gospels that suggests all He is and brings comes in His Presence.

v. 16 Because the Lord, Himself, with a signal  command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God will come down from heaven; and then the dead in Christ will rise first.

This verse doesn’t chronologically follow the previous verses; these two verses summarize them in a new way. 1) Those who have died are with Christ already resurrected from the dead and will be with Him. This could refer to the joining of body with spirit. 2) Those remaining will be “collected” into the throng of heaven’s beauty. We know in part.

Romans 8:28 – nothing can part us from the Savior who loves us.

v. 17 Only then, we who are alive and remain at the same time with them will be taken away in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; then, afterwards, will be with the Lord forever.

This is the great “Rapture” verse. It indicates a snatching or catching away from what did occupy or threaten those believers alive into the most secure place: surrounded by God’s army.

v. 18 Therefore, strengthen one another with these words.

Again, instead of being uninformed or confused about what happens to those who have died, be strengthened with the truth.

Small Group Questions:

  1. What (or Who) has brought extra hope into your life this week?
  2. Read through 4:13-15. What are the worries or concerns the church in Thessalonica had that these verses answer?
  3. What does it mean to have hope for eternity? What does it mean to have no hope (and have you ever felt this)?
  4. This passage talks about Jesus returning for those who choose to trust and follow Him. What words come to mind when you think about Jesus coming back for you personally?
  5. How can pray for you?

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes: Mark 16:9-20

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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

(PRT)

v. 9 Now, when Jesus was raised early on the first day of the week, he appeared first of all to Mary Magdalene, from who he had thrown out seven demons. vv. 10-11 She left there and told those who had been with Jesus and were now grieving and weeping; and they couldn’t believe that he was alive, even after hearing the news that she had seen him. vv. 12-13 And even after all this, two of them showed up and reported to the other disciples that while they were just now walking through the countryside, Jesus appeared to them in a different outward appearance; and they still didn’t believe it. v. 14 But not long afterwards, while the eleven were eating dinner, he showed up and then scolded them for their disbelief and hard-heartedness since they had not trusted those who had seen him risen from the dead. v. 15 Then he said to them: “As you journey into all the world, tell the whole creation the Good News. V 16 The ones who believe and are baptized will be saved; but the ones who remain unbelieving will be condemned.” vv. 17-18 Additionally, miraculous signs will show up around the ones who believe: in my name, they will throw out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will remove serpents with their hands; they will not be harmed even if they drink something deadly; and they will place their hands on the sick and they will be restored.” v. 19 Then, with all assurance, after speaking to them, Jesus was taken up into the heavens and then sat down at God’s right hand. v. 20 And they left there, declaring the Lord everywhere. The Lord was working through them and validating the word through accompanying miraculous signs. Amen.

Study Notes:

v. 9 Now, when Jesus was raised early on the first day of the week, he appeared first of all to Mary Magdalene, from who he had thrown out seven demons.

The rock removed wasn’t for Jesus to escape. The power to keep Jesus from corruption and decay and raise him from the dead wasn’t so weak that a rock would stop it. The rock was removed by the angel afterwards, so the women would see and have faith.

Jesus’ resurrection in v. 8 is framed by his crucifixion. His sacrificed life is integral to the new life we are given in Him.

There were two choices for Jesus being “not there:” His body was taken, or He rose from the dead. No other options are there.

In this summary verses of the telling of the story, Mary Magdalene returned to the sepulcher to try to make sense of all she’d discovered.  And Jesus appeared to her. (Confirmed by John 20.)

vv. 10-11 She left there and told those who had been with Jesus and were now grieving and weeping; and they couldn’t believe that he was alive, even after hearing the news that she had seen him.

This is confirmed in the other Gospels that they couldn’t wrap their minds around this story either. They were slow in coming to believe that Jesus was alive.

vv. 12-13 And even after all this, two of them showed up and reported to the other disciples that while they were just now walking through the countryside, Jesus appeared to them in a different outward appearance; and they still didn’t believe it.

These would be the two walking toward Emmaus to whom Jesus appeared. They rushed back to tell the disciples they had seen Jesus. In sync with the two witnesses, word comes back from others that Peter has seen Jesus, too. (Luke 24)

In his resurrected body, Jesus is the same, yet not the same. He is not subject to the rules we are. He appears as and when and through whatever closed door He wishes. And He does so in the next verse.

That Jesus appeared to a woman and to two who were not of the inner circle shows that status isn’t the qualifier. Each of us has this revealing of the truth and presence of Jesus in our salvation.

v. 14 But not long afterwards, while the eleven were eating dinner, he showed up and then scolded them for their disbelief and hard-heartedness since they had not trusted those who had seen him risen from the dead.

Mark names the new set of apostles minus Judas, The Eleven. They were known here in the context of the one absent but also by the rest remaining faithful and together.

Jesus shows up at dinner, calms their fears, shows them his wounds, has a bite. and calls them out for not believing Mary or the two from Emmaus (or even what has been prophesied – Luke 24).

v. 15 Then he said to them: “As you journey into all the world, tell the whole creation the Good News.

Even the ending of Mark 16:8 fulfills the three prophecies Jesus gave: 8:31, 9:31, 10:32-34. He will complete the work and hand off the work to tell everyone to us. Good News experienced and share in discipleship.

The whole creation contrasts with what Jesus sent them to do earlier as they went out in twos to the Jewish people. Now, all creation, Jews, Samaritans, and the nations.

V 16 The ones who believe and are baptized will be saved; but the ones who remain unbelieving will be condemned.”

This passage is interesting in including baptism in the numbers of the ones who are saved. This isn’t adding the act of baptism to make salvation happen. It is saying, “you believe and of course baptism what you do to show it” but if you don’t believe, of course you wouldn’t be baptized. If you believe, you are also baptized, and in community. The NT concept doesn’t entertain the loner Christian. Other Christians are our community; the ones we rely on, relate to.

vv. 17-18 Additionally, miraculous signs will show up around the ones who believe: in my name, they will throw out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will remove serpents with their hands; they will not be harmed even if they drink something deadly; and they will place their hands on the sick and they will be restored.”

All of this is witnessed in Acts but one: Philip, Paul, others threw demons out of people; Pentecost and the house of Cornelius prayed in new tongues; Paul shook the snake into the fire on the trip to Rome; numerous people were healed from the hands of the early church. Early church fathers tell us that John was poisoned as a way to dispatch him; but he lived.

v. 19 Then, with all assurance, after speaking to them, Jesus was taken up into the heavens and then sat down at God’s right hand.

This is the position of both authority and serving. The timing for His return is known only in the heavenlies. I remember the movies always had trouble making this real; how does one imagine what this was like? I will get to ask the disciples who were on the hillside watching this.

v. 20 And they left there, declaring the Lord everywhere. The Lord was working through them and validating the word through accompanying miraculous signs. Amen.

The main character in this passage is neither the angel resting with confidence on the bench to the right of where dead people lay, nor the women who come to anoint the body, nor the disciples, nor Peter. It is the culmination of the Good News of the Kingdom. It’s about Jesus just like it started with verse one: The Good News starts with Jesus; Our Hope begins here.

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes: Mark 15:42-16:8

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Good Friday & Easter Sunday 2022

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

Mark 15:42-16:8

(PRT)

vv.15:42-43 And evening had already arrived, and now that it was the Preparation Day before the Sabbath, and Joseph of Arimathea who was a respectable member of the Jewish Council and was waiting patiently for the Kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. vv. 44-45 This made Pilate wonder if Jesus was already dead, so he called the captain of the guard, asked him whether or not he had already died; then, learning from the captain that Jesus was dead, he gave Joseph the body. v. 46 And he brought a linen burial cloth he’d purchased and lowered Jesus from the Cross and wrapped him in the burial cloth. Then he laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock and then rolled a boulder against the entryway of the tomb. v. 47 Now, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid.

vv. 16:1-2  And awhile past the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices and scented oils hoping to return and anoint Jesus. Then, very early as the sun was rising, they come to the tomb. vv. 3-4 And they talked among themselves: “Who will roll back the boulder away from the entryway of the tomb for us?” But when they looked up, they saw the boulder was indeed very large, but was rolled away. v. 5 And when the women entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe seated to the right and they were totally overwhelmed with amazement. v. 6-7 Then he said to them: “Do not be distressed! Jesus the Nazarene, the one you are looking for who was crucified? He is risen and no longer here. See! Here’s the place where they laid him. But, you need to go and announce and explain to his disciples and to Peter that he going on ahead into Galilee. That’s where you will see him, just like he explained it all to you.” v. 8 So they got out and ran from the tomb gripped and trembling with amazement they spoke to no one for they were afraid.

Study Notes:

vv. 42-43 And evening had already arrived, and now that it was the Preparation Day before the Sabbath, and Joseph of Arimathea who was a respectable member of the Jewish Council and was waiting patiently for the Kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

Joseph did the risky thing. He was respectable and known and “in the know.” Now he was a Jesus-lover. Now he has risked his reputation to do the honorable thing.

vv. 44-45 This made Pilate wonder if Jesus was already dead, so he called the captain of the guard, asked him whether or not he had already died; then, learning from the captain that Jesus was dead, he gave Joseph the body.

Even Pilate, who condemned Jesus to the Cross, wondered that Jesus had already died after only around 5-6 hours. Some would later use this “quick” notification of death as the reason that Jesus was “resurrected (e.g. that he was not really dead.) That has real problems. 1) the Centurion cohort killed him by nailing him to the cross and raising a spear through his side. 2) All the witnesses there saw him die. 3) Joseph brought him down dead from the cross. 4) The cohort of guards buried and sealed him. 5) Most importantly, each Christ-follower there went to his death with the same proclamation: Jesus is risen. There was nothing normal about Jesus’ death. A convicted man would last a while then would be flung into the group burial pile. No one mourns. No one lays claim. Ignored. Gone. For Jesus, Not in the group burial pile. Not ignored. Not mourned. Not long on the cross.

It’s almost as if Jesus saw “the day’s work completed” and moved on to complete the sacrifice by breathing his last. Tetelistai, last breath.

v. 46 And he brought a linen burial cloth he’d purchased and lowered Jesus from the Cross and wrapped him in the burial cloth. Then he laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock and then rolled a boulder against the entryway of the tomb.

He came prepared to risk it all. The cloth he brought him down with may have become the cloth he wrapped him in.  All that time and money Joseph invested in his own tomb, he gave up for the one who loved him,

v. 47 Now, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid.

I’m so glad we have Mark 16:1-8. Otherwise, the Mary’s are left grieving. They followed Joseph to the tomb with a plan but had no clue what the Father planned. Remember, they heard the same clear teaching over the ministry of Jesus. I’m here to be taken by evil men, to die, to be buried, to conquer death, and to return to the seat of power and the seat of intercession.

vv. 16:1-2  And awhile past the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices and scented oils hoping to return and anoint Jesus. Then, very early as the sun was rising, they come to the tomb.

Keep the timeline in mind here. They saw Jesus taken in the dark of what we would call Thursday, but for the Jewish week, sundown begins the new day (evening and the morning). So Jesus is handed over to evil people (Friday), abused, tried, convicted and crucified (Friday). Died and quickly buried before sundown (Friday). In the grave all the Sabbath (our Saturday – or day two of his “Passion.”) That night, most likely, (Sunday – evening and morning is the day, right) the Mary’s shop and gather what they need for the early morning walk in the dark (Sunday.) Jesus risen (Sunday) just before the Mary’s return. Three days in the grave.

vv. 3-4 And they talked among themselves: “Who will roll back the boulder away from the entryway of the tomb for us?” But when they looked up, they saw the boulder was indeed very large, but was rolled away.

They chatted about their plan as the made their way in the dark toward the cliffside where Joseph had been preparing what he thought would be his own tomb. Salome looks at the Mary’s “but you know that stone will be a huge boulder.” And they turn the corner: “It is a huge boulder; but has already been moved!”

v. 5 And when the women entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe seated to the right and they were totally overwhelmed with amazement.

Amazed as in overwhelmed and all but falling over.

v. 6-7 Then he said to them: “Do not be distressed! Jesus the Nazarene, the one you are looking for who was crucified? He is risen and no longer here. See! Here’s the place where they laid him. But, you need to go and announce and explain to his disciples and to Peter that he going on ahead into Galilee. That’s where you will see him, just like he explained it all to you.”

I like to think angels have accents (like a New York downtown cabbie). “Wait you’se. Don’t blow a gasket! Jesus, you know, the Nazarene. (snaps fingers under nose) Hey. Pay attention here: the one you’re here looking for? He’s not hear. Nope. That’s his tomb, but he ain’t here. Now, here’s the plan. Go get the disciples (and make sure Peter gets this, too, right). Get to Galilee. He’ll meet you there. Hey. Weren’t you listening? It’s what He told you’se all along.”

v. 8 So they got out and ran from the tomb gripped and trembling with amazement they spoke to no one for they were afraid.

And the news was out. That’s a hard place to end the original Good News account. But in some ways, what if this is where it ended. They got the story, believed it, and went away processing it. Afraid to speak because they didn’t want to break the sense of amazement. Then Luke picks up the rest in Acts 1. The oldest manuscripts of Mark stop here. Later manuscripts add a verse or two to summarize the rest of the story or even expand on Jesus’ commissioning of the disciples. But these continuations are not in the style, vocabulary, or flow of Mark’s writing. They aren’t wrong and are read in the context of the other Gospels. Some say a scribe took liberties; others that the original ending was lost and someone replaced it the best they could; and others that the New Testament church culture filled in the gap. My take is, the gap is there to remind us we walk away from the salvation story amazed, and with a lifetime to live out the Gospel story. The Kingdom is coming all through the church age; breaking in, amazing us, showing us the evidence of the risen Lord.

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes Matthew 22:34-40

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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

Matthew 22:34-40

v. 34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again. 

The word means “gagged” as in shut them down completely. Like the muzzle on an ox.

The Pharisees were overjoyed to see the Sadducees put in their place. So, they huddled up to come up with their own question.

vv. 35-36 One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”

This is someone who lives by the law, interprets the law for others. It’s an honest question that a seeker might have; it’s a trap if he can get Jesus to dismiss part of the code in favor of another.

Interesting factoid about the law and the lawyers: “The scribes declared that there were 248 affirmative precepts, as many as the members of the human body; and 365 negative precepts, as many as the days in the year, the total being 613, the number of letters in the Decalogue” from Robertson/Vincent.

Jesus wasn’t caught in the trap of talking minutiae and getting stuck in siderail issues. Love God with all you have; love others out of the healthy love you have for yourself.

How do you determine a commandment is great? Is it great because of the limitations it brings (I must wear fringes around my robe to be holy) or because of the freedom it brings? Love the Lord; Love others like you esteem yourself. Against such there is no law.

The word for “trap him” may have been simply to “test Jesus” to give him a conundrum that would test his mettle in determining a righteous answer.

v.37-38 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. 

This was written on a little piece of parchment and contained in a tiny square box and worn on the arm as a reminder of the Greatest Commandment. The lawyer was likely wearing this very verse.

v. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

This law was pulled from a chapter on ceremonial rules; but it was given a high place of honor by Jesus as he combined it with the first and greatest. The vertical and the horizontal driven by a passionate love was the positive rule to live by. This has been called the Great Commandment alongside the Great Commission in Mt 28.

v. 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Out of the whole of the revelation of God’s Word, this is the summation. Base on, hung on like two balances to all the compendium of the law. Without these two in clear position, the law is cumbersome. Only Mark shares the Lawyer’s response. He affirms it and leans into Jesus’ teachings.