The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 12 July 2026 – The Greatest Commandment
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TOPIC: The Greatest Commandment
READ: Mark 12:28-34
28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?
29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
God-centered content
31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
THE MESSAGE:
Jesus responded to the question of the scribes on the issue of the first and greatest commandment. He gave two commandments that summarised all the Mosaic laws in the scriptures (Exod. 20), to point out believers’ relationships with God and with others. Jesus said the first of all the commandments is: “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: and the second is like, you shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31). Religion & Belief
Love is a powerful emotion that builds bonds and encourages positivity between two or more individuals. Love is more than burnt offerings and sacrifices (Mark 12:33c). Hence, Jesus concluded that whoever loves is not far from the kingdom of God.
In 1 John 4:7-8, the Bible says: “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loves is born of God, and knows God. He that loves not, knows not God; for God is love.” Verse 11 says: “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another:” As believers, the evidence of our salvation is our total love for God and unconditional love for others. When we love, we have peace of mind, joy, progress, access to divine blessings and above all, we will have hope of eternal Life with God.
PRAYER:
Father, let the seed of love for you and my neighbour grow in my heart and show in my relationships always, in Jesus’ Name. Amen!
