Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Today's Lenten Devotion - Wednesday, March 11

 

Wednesday – March 11

Scripture: Mark 12:28–34

“What is the greatest commandment?”

Jesus answers without hesitation: love God completely, and love your neighbor as yourself.

The scribe responds wisely, recognizing that love surpasses ritual precision.  Jesus tells him, “You are not far from the kingdom.”

Not far.

Love is the measure of proximity to God’s reign.

Yet love is not sentiment.  It is allegiance.  It is embodied commitment to the flourishing of another.  It is refusing to reduce people to caricatures.  It is choosing dignity over dismissal.

In church life, it is possible to defend doctrine passionately and yet fail at love.  It is possible to champion justice publicly and yet neglect tenderness privately.

Lent calls us back to center.

Love of God fuels love of neighbor.  Love of neighbor reveals love of God.

If love becomes abstract, it loses power.  If love becomes partisan, it loses credibility.

Christ gathers us into a love that is expansive, courageous, and practical.

The kingdom draws near wherever love becomes visible.

Reflection Questions

  1. What competes with love in my daily life?
  2. Who is difficult for me to love?
  3. How can I make love tangible today?

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