Mark, Chapter 12, verses 28-34
28 resolveth the scribe who questioned of the first commandment12
12:28 Which is the first commandment? - The principal, and most necessary to be observed. Mat 22:34; Luk 10:25.
12:29 The Lord our God is one Lord - This is the foundation of the first commandment, yea, of all the commandments. The Lord our God, the Lord, the God of all men, is one God, essentially, though three persons. From this unity of God it follows, that we owe all our love to him alone. Deu 6:4.
12:30 With all thy strength - That is, the whole strength and capacity of thy understanding, will, and affections.
12:31 The second is like unto it - Of a like comprehensive nature: comprising our whole duty to man. There is no other moral, much less ceremonial commandment, greater than these. Lev 19:18.
12:33 To love him with all the heart - To love and serve him, with all the united powers of the soul in their utmost vigour; and to love his neighbour as himself - To maintain the same equitable and charitable temper and behaviour toward all men, as we, in like circumstances, would wish for from them toward ourselves, is a more necessary and important duty, than the offering the most noble and costly sacrifices.
12:34 Jesus said to him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God - Reader, art not thou? then go on: be a real Christian: else ithad been better for thee to have been afar off.
14 Directions how to repent, Hos 14:1-3.
Encouragements to repent, Hos 14:4-9.
14:1 Fallen - Thy sins have involved thee in endless troubles.
14:2 Render - This will qualify and encourage us to give the sacrifices which are more pleasing to God than calves or oxen.
14:3 The fatherless - All that are destitute of strength in themselves, and destitute of help from others; all that being sensible of their own helpless condition, look for it from God, who hath power, mercy, and wisdom to help. Mercy - Both the fountain and streams of goodness too, free grace, and rich bounty.
14:5 As the dew - I will refresh and comfort, and make fruitful in good works, such as return to me. As Lebanon - As the cedars in Lebanon, so shall the true Israel, converted backsliders, be blessed of God: so flourishing and happy shall the church be under Christ.
14:6 His branches - His branches which are new sprung out, shall gather strength, and shall multiply in number. The olive - tree - Which retains its verdure all the winter and is rich in fruit; so the true Israel of God shall flourish not in fruitless beauty, but in lovely fruit, even in winter's of affliction and trouble. As Lebanon - The mountain famous for cedars, where also were the trees that afford the frankincense, and many flowers which perfume the air; such shall the spiritual fragrance of the church be to God and man.
14:7 They that dwell - As many as unite to the church, shall dwell under these spreading trees. Return - Revive and recover strength.As the corn - Which dies ere it lives to bring forth fruit.As the vine - Which in winter seems dead, but yet life, sap, and a fructifying virtue is in it. The scent thereof - The savour of it to God and good men shall be pleasing as the scent of the delicious wines of Lebanon.
14:8 I have heard him - A gracious promise from God of hearing prayers.A green fir - tree - As a weary traveller finds rest and safety under a thick tree, so there is safety and refreshment under the protection of the Lord.From me - Of God alone.
14:9 Shall understand - Which the prophet has delivered.The ways - The ways which he would have us walk in towards him, his law, his ordinances, his whole doctrine are all righteous and equal. And the ways wherein God walks towards us, in afflicting or comforting are all righteous and equal. Shall walk in them - Will approve them all, justifying the righteousness of God's displeasure, and confessing he remembereth mercy in the midst of judgment. And justifying the righteousness of his precepts by endeavouring to observe them.The transgressors - Wilful, obstinate sinners, stumble and are offended at his commands, but more at his judgments; they cast off the one, and vainly hope to shift off the other, 'till at last they fall under the weight of their own sins and God's wrath.