SCRIPTURE: Matthew (NIV) 22:35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
OBSERVATION: Surely this was a question that had been asked and debated for generations. The person asking this question is called an “expert in the law.” Surely he had debated this question in his days in school. Surely he had led debates on this question as he had taught others. Surely he had his own opinion as to which commandment was the greatest.
Probably this “expert in the law” did not fully realize with whom he was talking, but he was about to receive the clearest answer that had ever been given. The Law-giver Himself would be answering his question! The One who was about to fulfill the laws requirements would be answering his question.
APPLICATION: Jesus answered the question with recognizable authority and simple clarity. For all time, we have the answer to which is the greatest commandment, and which is second.
PRAYER: Lord, knowing the truth in my head is easy; but living it out in my daily life is a challenge. You are the only one who lived out the commandments perfectly. How grateful I am that you come and live your life in and through me. How dependent I am on your grace and mercy. Amen
Pastor Leon
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