One of the scribes, when he came forward and heard them disputing and saw how well he had answered them, 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." 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." And when Jesus saw that (he) answered with understanding, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And no one dared to ask him any more questions. (Mk 12:28-34)
Jesus was under constant questioning and verification by the Scribes and Pharisees. They knew that Jesus was proclaiming the kingdom and doing the works of the kingdom. They were not very sure of his goals and principles. They wanted to verify whether he was basing his life and teachings on the word of God.
Jesus answered them well and rightly. Anyone who belonged to God or anyone who was proceeding from God should have the primacy of God in his life. Love of God should be total. God should be loved by the physical, mental and spiritual faculties. God should have the primacy. Love of the neighbour should also be the compelling force of man.
These two practices mount to more than any worship. Israel was turning to be a religion of sacrifices and worship. People began to measure the piety of any man by the external practices of religion which was adding up to be the worship. Jesus placed the love of god and the neighbour before any worship and sacrifice.
