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heart, soul, and mind

Mark 12:30
"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."

Jesus called His disciples, promising to transform them. In Acts, the Sanhedrin marveled at Peter and John’s boldness despite their lack of formal education, showing God uses anyone to advance His kingdom, regardless of human limitations. Notably, Jesus chose no Pharisees or scribes as disciples until Saul (Paul).

In Mark, Jesus declares the cornerstone of faith: the entire law and prophets rest on God’s singular nature. Quoting the Shema from Deuteronomy 6, He affirms the one true God of Israel, distinct from false gods. The command to "hear" calls for understanding, accepting, and obeying this truth, the foundation of all commandments.

Today’s verse completes the "first commandment." We choose to delight in God and act faithfully on His behalf. Trusting God leads to obedience. We make God the center of our life—heart, soul, mind, and strength. The heart drives beliefs, emotions, and intentions; the soul is our vital force; the mind focuses on logic. Together, they encompass our entire being—feelings, desires, and thoughts. Strength reflects the effort and passion with which we love God, guiding how we feel and act.

Jesus teaches that God has a plan for all creation, including ordinary people like us.
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