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 the greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:34-40
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked Him, “of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear o Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 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: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There are no commandments greater than these.”
Mark 12:28-31
When I was growing up, we always lived in neighborhoods and we knew literally everyone that lived there. We knew them well and they knew us. We were in their homes and they were in ours. All of us kids would play together and knew that when it got dark, we would go home. If Mom needed an egg to fix dinner, then she sent one of us over to borrow an egg. Now, this was 50 or 60 years ago, and I know that things are different today. Neighbors are not close like they used to be. I live in a neighborhood now and I know a few of my neighbors but not many. Yes, things are different.
In these two passages of scripture, Jesus shows us what is important. First, we are to love the Lord our God with everything about us. That is the most important commitment that we make. A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of seeing my Son baptize my Granddaughter. I expressed to her, concerning the decision that she made, that this was the most important decision that she would ever make. Jesus went on to say that it is also important to love others. If we love Christ and commit our lives to Him then we will love His children, our neighbors.
During the next several weeks we will be having some very special services at our church. The Easter season is a time when people are more receptive to the Gospel of Christ than any other time. As we celebrate the crucifixion and the resurrection of Christ, let’s show our love for others and include them in the activities at our church. You know people that need to have a relationship with the Lord, you know people that are not walking with the Lord. Use this time and these special services to include others that need Christ. They may be just waiting on an invite from you.
Pastor Dan