No other commandment greater ...

And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered,
“The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.


The simplicity of these words is so majestic yet they can become so rote because we have heard them over and over. Throughout time the Jews heard these words regularly as they were read and spoken of in their assemblies. Yet those who supposedly knew the scriptures the best were planning to murder Jesus. How was it possible that they were filled with hate?

The answer to that question has puzzled humanity for ages. How is it that religious leaders could do such things. Even in our day the news is filled with stories about such leaders that abuse children and others who cover up such acts. Like the elders of Christ's time these have forgotten that there is no commandment greater than loving God and each other.

Lord help me never to forget that now is the time for love.

1 comment:

  1. Oh Lord may I love in thought and in deed and truly learn to love others more than myself. Why is it so easy to love ourselves? The sin nature in action.

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