As so often happens, religion is in conflict with God’s Son. This event starts out in contention and ends in silence. However, in the midst of it all, one of the key elements of life is revealed: Love.

Entanglement – Matthew 22:15, 34-35
The Sadducees tried to make Jesus look bad by trapping him with trick questions. The Lord will not be tricked, trapped, or mocked by men (Psalm 18:25-27; 94:11; Proverbs 21:30; Galatians 6:7). Our Lord also is a safe place for us, who are often the objects of such attacks (Psalm 31:19-20; 56:1-5).

Enlightenment – Matthew 22:36-40
The conversation yields an opportunity to explain the essence of life and the only way to please God (Deuteronomy 6:1-12). We cannot worship God in Spirit and in Truth unless we love God supremely (John 4:23-24). With love to God first, our next vital object of love needs to be our fellow man, who is made in the image of God (Leviticus 19:18 cp. I John 4:20; 3:11-19; James 2:1-13; 3:8-18; Romans 13:8-10).

Note the Pharisee / Lawyer. He came with an agenda to help defeat Jesus. He was serving the interests of the religious leaders. Nevertheless, Mark shows us that Jesus used the encounter to draw out something good that the Pharisee understood. The Pharisee needed to focus on this and go the right direction (Mark 12:28-34).

End Game – Matthew 22:41-46
Jesus was going to put an end to the religious games. The “experts” tried to put Jesus down by asking Him complicated questions. Jesus not only answered them with pure and simple truth, He also asked them questions that they could not handle. The humility would be good for them…and they would now stop the insincere questions. Note the godly students of the Bible. They have learned much, but the knowledge humbles them. They have learned enough to understand how much more they need to learn. See Psalm 131:1-3; 139:6; Romans 11:33-36.

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Why Man Should Love God Naturally.
We know that natural man does not understand, seek, or appreciate God without the influence of the Spirit of God. (Psalm 14; I Corinthians 2:14; John 3:3; 6:44-45, 63). This does not change the fact that natural man ought to love and appreciate God. God is hidden in plain sight. Evidence of God’s wisdom, power and goodness are everywhere in creation (Psalm 19: 1-6; Romans 1:18-20). God has also given man a conscience which tells him things that he often ignores, confuses or refuses (See Romans 1:21-23, 25, 28-32; 2:14-15; I Timothy 4:1-2; II Timothy 4:3-4).

Why Man Should Love God Spiritually.
If men would hear the Gospel and receive it, then they would know the love of God and could operate in the realms of love. See Romans 1:16-17; 5:1-5 (cp. vs. 6-11); I John 4:7-21.