THESE WORDS ARE STILL IN PLAY

MATTHEW 22:34-40 NKJ 
34 But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, 36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" 
37 Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." 

OBSERVATION: 

These poor Pharisees have just not been able to "get it." They keep trying to pin Jesus down and catch Him in His words. You almost want to bless their hearts! 

One lawyer of Jewish Law had a big question for Jesus. He asked what is the greatest commandment in the Law. He was testing Jesus. This was not a man with great spiritual hunger.  

Often when tested by the Pharisees, Jesus would turn the tables on them and ask them a question. But this time, He went right to the heart of the matter. 

The greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and the greatest. Then Jesus added more than what He was asked for.   

The second commandment is like the first. In other words, this is not something we can skip or gloss over. This is important. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.   

What Jesus says next cannot be ignored. On these two commandments, all the Law and the Prophets are centered around. Loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself are vital. 

APPLICATION: 

When we look at these verses today, we must assume that God has not changed. Loving God and loving your neighbor did not pass away. 

Some will argue that we are no longer under the Law. And they are correct. But the principles found in God's Law are still in play today.   

To love God with all our heart and soul, and mind is still important to God and to us. When would it be okay to stop loving Him, especially after all He has done for us?   

And to walk in love towards others is The New Testament commandment. Jesus even adds that we are to love one another even as He has loved us! That’s taking it up a notch. Jesus’ love for us was sacrificial. And Jesus said that it would be love that distinguishes us as His disciples. (Jn 13:34-35)  

So, keep loving God and grow in your love for HIm. And keep loving the ones around you and grow in that kind of love also. Obeying these two directives will always put you on the right path. 

PRAYER:  

Dear Father, I purpose to grow in my love for you and for the people you bring across my path.