Jesus says "love"

Jesus said: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and the greatest commandment.”

Matthew 22:37

Sometimes we ask a question because we genuinely want to know; other times a question can be a mental swerve, a way of avoiding the truth that stands in our way. This was Jesus’ reply to a trick question about which is the greatest commandment. Jesus’ answer was like a well-timed rugby tackle, leaving no room for maneuver. The first priority of the heart, the magnetic North of the soul, the first focus of the mind, is to love God with all that we are. To love God completely, and serve God first and foremost, is to give God first claim on our worship and obedience.

Jesus said: “And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”  

Matthew 22:39 

Second only to our love and obedience to God, is our love and service to our neighbor. The parable of the Good Samaritan is all the argument a Christian should ever need to be alert, responsive and compassionate to those we meet on the way who could do with our help. But if we need even more convincing, then Jesus’ astonishing self-revelation in the need of our neighbor is likewise like a well-timed tackle that isn’t fooled by the swerve: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matt.25:40)

 Jesus said: “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 

Matthew 22:40

God demands no more than is contained in these two commandments. But the unpacking of them in lives of loving obedience to God and compassionate service to others is the work of a lifetime. “He has shown you, every one of you, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah distilled into that one verse all the commands of the Law and the Prophets for holiness and justice. Jesus concentrated all that teaching down into matters of the heart devoted in love to God, the soul centered in worship, the mind focused on obedience, and the neighbor loved and safe in our presence.
Grace and peace,

Anita Sorenson
Pastor for Spiritual Formation