God is God not of the dead, but of the living . . . . One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, "Which commandment is the first of all?"   Mark 12:27-28

Reflection by Ron Buford

Marcus Borg says it is exegetically correct to replace the word "commandment" in this text with the word, "relationship." 

As such our first or greatest relationship is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, the second great relationship is to love our neighbors as ourselves. There is no relationship in life, law, or eternity greater than these.

Borg went on to say, "You can keep the commandments and still be a jerk. But you cannot be in relationship with the living God, without be continually transformed."God, the great "I am," Jewish scholars interpret to mean, "I will be what the future demands."

Our God is not a God of outmoded rules and laws, keeping keep people separated—people do that. By contrast, the rule of God's living love is to always take another look and see the relationship with each other and God as primary. If you want to know where God is, Jesus says, look to where the love of God bends toward making the life of each person as wonderful as God wants life to be for us in light of the present. Thanks be to God.

Prayer

Gracious God, we are grateful that you are a God of innovation in all things, shaping human and divine relationships in view of your ever unfolding and always embracing present. May we remember that and grow into it—even when we do not fully understand or want to do it. Amen.

About the Author Ron Buford is Interim Minister for Discipleship at Old South Church in Boston, Massachusetts. The former coordinator of the UCC's God is still speaking campaign, Ron consults with UCC conferences and churches across the nation and appears in the DVD-based progressive theology series, Living the Questions 2.0.

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