Love the Lord with Your Entire Being: Part IV

Meditation on Mark 12:28-34

The center of Christ's thought, underdstanding, and motivation, is characterized by a total dedication to God. Christians are called upon to have the same mind as Christ.

Since Christians are to have the mind of Christ, it is important that believers know what the mind of Christ looks like.

Christ's mind was pure (see Hebrews 7:26). One can see the purity of Christ's mind being declared by his words and actions, and by his oneness with God, the Father.

Christ used his mind to (1) overcome temptation (Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4; Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 27:42; Mark 15:32; Luke 23:37) and (2) overcome opposition (Matthew 22:18-22; Mark 12:15-17; Luke 20:22-26).

The mind of Christ is more than mere intellect. Christ's thinking is supported by prayer (Luke 5:16; 6:12-13; 22:41-43; Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:35-36). Christ's thinking is tempered by understanding (Isaiah 11:2; Matthew 9:35-36; Luke 4:22; John 2:24-25). Christ's mind experiences anguish (John 12:27; Matthew 26:38; 27:46; Mark 14:34; Psalm 22:1; Luke 12:49-50; 22:44; John 13:21).

Christ's mind is extraordinary. Christ has unusual insight (Mark 2:8; Matthew 9:4; Luke 5:22; Matthew 12:25; Luke 11:17; 6:8; 9:47; John 1:47-48; 4:17-18; 11:4). Christ understands the future (Mark 8:31; Matthew 16:21; Luke 9:22; Matthew 26:21; Mark 14:18; Luke 22:34, 37; Isaiah 53:12; John 3:14; 4:49-50; 13:33; 18:4).

Christ's mind did not know all things (Matthew 8:10; Luke 7:9; Mark 9:21; 13:32).

The mind of Christ discloses the mind of God (1) in relation to righteousness, holiness, and the law (John 14:9-11; Matthew 5:17; John 15:10; 1 Corinthians 1:30) and (2) in mercy (1 Timothy 1:15-16; Matthew 9:12-13; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:31-32; Hosea 6:6; Matthew 23:23; Jude 21).

The mind of Christ is made known to believers by the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 16:12-15; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 2:11-13).

Knowledge of the mind of Christ leads to holiness (1 Corinthians 2:14-16; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Peter 4:1-2).

This is by far only a brief examination into the mind of Christ. But the purpose of this posting is introduce the topic so that others will be encouraged to dig deeper into Scripture and to grow spiritually.