28 One of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together. Knowing that Jesus had answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the greatest of all?”

29 Jesus answered, “The greatest is, ‘Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one: 30 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 The second is like this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

32 The scribe said to him, “Truly, teacher, you have said well that he is one, and there is none other but he, 33 and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34 When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from God’s Kingdom.”

No one dared ask him any question after that.

Mark 12:28-34 - World English Bible

In the midst of many controversies, a scribe asked Jesus a question about priority in the Law. This conversation was remarkable in Mark for its lack of rhetorical pyrotechnics; in fact, the scribe approved of the Lord's answer to his inquiry, and, in turn, Jesus told the expert in the Law he was not far from the Kingdom.

The scribe's question was simple: "Which commandment is the greatest of all?" This was not only an inquiry into the one edict that stood out; it sought an organizing principle, one command that formed the others into a hierarchy. Jesus answered that question with the answer" "Love." Love God above all else (Deuteronomy 6:4-6) and your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18). The notion of love was more than a feeling; it was charity and hospitality. Both active virtues expressed a respect for God's creation and for social order. Love lived out wove the duty of worship and social responsibility into a single guiding force in life. It was, as the scribe described it, "more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices" (Mark 12:33). Upon this point, the expert in the Law and the Lord agreed, bringing the scribe closer to Christ and the Kingdom.

What makes Christians different, besides our creed? It should be our charity, a love that guides our worship of God and our treatment of others.

How have you lived out the Great Commandment this week?