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Mark

Mark 
Day 
Day 266

Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. "Acts 2:26b"

Day 266 – Mark 12

THE THIRD ATTEMPT

The first foray by the Herodians and Pharisees failed miserably. The issue of paying taxes was easily answered by Jesus. The second attack led by the Sadducees did not fare very well either. The ignorance of the Sadducees concerning the Scriptures was painfully shown up!

The third attempt to engage Jesus was distinctly different. It was launched by one of the scribes. Perhaps he felt that it would be better if he ventured alone, instead of being with his fellow scribes.

“Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them
reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well,
asked Him, ‘Which is the first commandment of all?'”
MARK 12:28

This inquiry does not immediately appear as an attack. But we have to be reminded of the following:-

1. The scribes were closely associated with the chief priests and elders (Cf. Mark 11:27).

2. The scribes and Pharisees had entangled with Jesus on previous occasions (Cf. Mark 7:1-5).

3. There was a general plan to try and catch Jesus at His words (Cf. Mark 12:14).

This particular scribe was in close proximity to the two attacks made on Jesus. If nothing else, there was respect for the way Jesus answered the questions thrown at Him. Scribes were used to fielding questions. There was recognition that Jesus had indeed answered well.

THE SHIFT TO THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD

The scribe’s question was not as straightforward as the ones presented to Jesus earlier. Nevertheless, there was a hidden trap. Which is the first commandment of all?

1. What was the scribe really asking?
2. Was he asking about the Ten Commandments?
3. His question appeared ambiguous.
4. The average person would never have been able to come up with a suitable answer.

Since Jesus had answered so well, He might as well attempt to answer this most complex question. To attempt an answer would require complete mastery of all that God had given as commandments to Israel, and to determine which was “first”!