Scripture:
Matthew 22:34-40 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
The Primary Commandments
34 When (A) the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they came together in the same place. 35 And one of them, an expert in the law, asked a question to test Him: (B) 36 "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" [a]
37 He said to him, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. (C) (D) 38 This is the greatest and most important [b] commandment. 39 The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. (E) (F) 40 All the Law and the Prophets depend [c] on these two commandments." (G)
Footnotes:
Matthew 22:36 Lit is great
Matthew 22:38 Lit and first
Matthew 22:40 Or hang
Cross references:
Matthew 22:34 : Mk 12:28-33; Lk 10:25-28;
Matthew 22:35 : Lk 7:30; 10:25; 11:45; 14:3;
Matthew 22:37 : Dt 6:5; Lk 10:27;
Matthew 22:37 : Dt 6:5;
Matthew 22:39 : Lv 19:18; Mt 19:19;
Matthew 22:39 : Lv 19:18;
Matthew 22:40 : Mt 7:12; Rm 13:8-10; Gl 5:14;
Reflection:
What is the purpose of God's law or commandments? The Pharisees prided themselves in the knowledge of the law and their ritual requirements. They made it a life-time practice to study the 616 precepts of the Old Testament along with the numerous rabbinic commentaries. They tested Jesus to see if he correctly understood the law as they did. Jesus startled them with his profound simplicity and mastery of the law of God and its purpose. What does God require of us? Simply that we love as he loves! God is love and everything he does flows from his love for us. God loved us first and our love for him is a response to his exceeding grace and kindness towards us. The love of God comes first and the love of neighbor is firmly grounded in the love of God - Our relationship is both verticle and horizontal. The more we know of God's love and truth the more we love what he loves and reject what is hateful and contrary to his will. What makes our love for God and his commands grow in us? Faith in God and hope in his promises strengthens us in the love of God. They are essential for a good relationship with God, for being united with him. The more we know of God the more we love him and the more we love him the greater we believe and hope in his promises. The Lord, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, gives us a new freedom to love as he loves. Do you allow anything to keep you from the love of God and the joy of serving others with a generous heart? Paul the Apostle says: hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us (Romans 5:5). Do you know the love which conquers all?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, your love surpasses all. Flood my heart with your love and increase my faith and hope in your promises. Help me to give myself in generous service to others as you have so generously given yourself to me.
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