"Well said, teacher." Chapter 3 Book 1, cont'd - Looking for Loopholes like W.C. Fields

Chapter 3, Book 1.....continued.Seeking profitable Truth over the obscure.

Thomas then takes us to a short teaching on what's worth discussing:

"What availeth (what use is)  a great dispute about abstruse and obscure matters for not knowing which we shall not be questioned on the day of judgment.

It is a great folly for us to neglect things profitable and necessary, and willingly to busy ourselves about those which are curious and hurtful.  We have eyes and see not Ps 115:5."

The passage from Mark immediately came to mind:  In Mk 12:18-27 the Sadduccees were questioning Jesus about the Resurrection.  They babbled on, setting a trap for Jesus, about 7 brothers, the first of which married, then died.  Each subsequent brother having to then marry the bride of the first brother.  Who's wife will she be at the Resurrection. 

Jesus (who I imagine must have been smirking) having listened to them, then answers swiftly.  "Are you not misled because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?"  He goes on to teach them. He quotes Ex 3:6, about Moses and the burning bush and says: "He is not the God of the dead but of the living.  You are greatly misled."

Sometimes we are like Sadduccees, debating details of arguments, trying to figure it all out, while missing the Truth. Like W.C. Fields, were reading Scripture looking for loopholes!

Right after correcting the Sadducees, Jesus quotes Dt 6:4-5.  This is the Truth He is getting to for all of us -

"'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 not other commandment greater than these.  The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher."Mk 12:28-32.

 Every time I pick up this profound book, I feel like I'm there with Jesus at this moment of teaching.  When Jesus says something, it is always true.  I find myself guilty of entering into the quibbling.  Then I go back to the basics.  I go back to where He teaches me the Truth.  And all I can say afterward is "Well said, teacher."  I can only pray that He will say back to me:

"You are not far from the kingdom of God.Mk 12:34"

Until next time.
tim