The Greatest Commandment
Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' - Matthews 22: 34-39
The Pharisees were not done with Jesus. They once again plotted to see if He would say or do something that would turn the people against Him. The Pharisees were experts in the Law. They taught the Law to the people. The question was designed to trick Jesus into declaring one Law greater than another. They reasoned that if He would elevate one Law above another, they would be able to use that against Him.
Jesus is Divine. He answers for them and He answers for us today – “Love the Lord God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” He adds, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
“Love the Lord God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” That is hard for us today. In today’s world we are constantly exposed to messages that would try to turn us away from the love of God. The temptations we face today come at us subtly and not-so-subtly. We turn on television and we are bombarded by pleas to buy. We must buy things – we must use products – we have to have them in order to improve our lives. The subtle message is that we can not love or be loved unless we add to our appearance, drive a certain vehicle, or partake in a certain lifestyle.
How does God love us? He loves us as we are – sinful humans that disobey Him daily. In the very act of disobeying Him – He loves us so much that He sent Jesus to take away our sins. He doesn’t look at our outside appearances – He looks at us through the eyes of Christ. Nothing we do can earn His love – He loved us before we were born!
He commands, “Love the Lord God with all of your heart and all of your soul and with all of your mind.” We love God when He is first in our lives. When all of our actions, all of our thoughts, all of our decisions are seen as a response of love to God, we show Him love. We respond in love to those around us – those He loves – those He created. When we show love to others as to ourselves, we show love to God.
As we live each day giving acts of kindness to our family and friends, but also to our enemies – we love God. When we use our money to further His kingdom – we love God. When we go to His house and worship and praise – we love God. When we give a smile to a stranger who looks hurting – we love God. When we pray for our friends – and those who harmed us – we love God. When we try our best – we love God.
Prayer: Thank you God for loving me – help me love other the same way. Amen.
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' - Matthews 22: 34-39
The Pharisees were not done with Jesus. They once again plotted to see if He would say or do something that would turn the people against Him. The Pharisees were experts in the Law. They taught the Law to the people. The question was designed to trick Jesus into declaring one Law greater than another. They reasoned that if He would elevate one Law above another, they would be able to use that against Him.
Jesus is Divine. He answers for them and He answers for us today – “Love the Lord God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” He adds, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
“Love the Lord God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” That is hard for us today. In today’s world we are constantly exposed to messages that would try to turn us away from the love of God. The temptations we face today come at us subtly and not-so-subtly. We turn on television and we are bombarded by pleas to buy. We must buy things – we must use products – we have to have them in order to improve our lives. The subtle message is that we can not love or be loved unless we add to our appearance, drive a certain vehicle, or partake in a certain lifestyle.
How does God love us? He loves us as we are – sinful humans that disobey Him daily. In the very act of disobeying Him – He loves us so much that He sent Jesus to take away our sins. He doesn’t look at our outside appearances – He looks at us through the eyes of Christ. Nothing we do can earn His love – He loved us before we were born!
He commands, “Love the Lord God with all of your heart and all of your soul and with all of your mind.” We love God when He is first in our lives. When all of our actions, all of our thoughts, all of our decisions are seen as a response of love to God, we show Him love. We respond in love to those around us – those He loves – those He created. When we show love to others as to ourselves, we show love to God.
As we live each day giving acts of kindness to our family and friends, but also to our enemies – we love God. When we use our money to further His kingdom – we love God. When we go to His house and worship and praise – we love God. When we give a smile to a stranger who looks hurting – we love God. When we pray for our friends – and those who harmed us – we love God. When we try our best – we love God.
Prayer: Thank you God for loving me – help me love other the same way. Amen.