One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
The teacher of religious law replied, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth by saying that there is only one God and no other. And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law.”
Realizing how much the man understood, Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.
Squealing
TiresTires spinning on asphalt mean one of three things: somebody is showing off, someone is leaving in a hurry, or someone is trying to stop quickly. The sound recollects memories of fun times with cars as a teenager and also some tragic accidents I have seen. The same sound: two different results.
Jesus’ answers to the questions lobbed at him have left some spinning their wheels in a hasty retreat while others are trying to stop on a dime. Most of the people are trying to get away fast before they are embarrassed, but this one man has taken in the meaning of what Jesus has said. He has looked underneath the witty Q and A session in an effort to understand more about this man Jesus.
There is no pretense, pride or trickery in his question. He wants to know God and Jesus has demonstrated knowledge about God he has been looking for a long time. Jesus has real answers. Jesus does not bluff; he is not full of bravado. Jesus is the real deal.
Jesus appreciated this man’s question. It was honest, sincere and asked the way to God. Sometimes we get so worked up about trivial details we lose sight of the Gospel. This man saw through the fog of the silly questions to see the Light of the World.
Jesus, I am amazed at your wisdom in handling those who take up your time with trivial matters. Your passion for those who are seeking the truth is inspiring. Help me to be wise with things and people who waste my energy and passionate to help those who are seeking your truth. - Dan Jones
Confession, I love myself 
Finally, a sincere question! But the answer?
Finally, a sincere question! But the answer?
Sure it’s straight from the Old Testament. It’s central to both Testaments. The greatest commandment nonetheless. But really. Love my neighbor as myself? Just as myself?
I love myself enough that every morning I wash and brush my teeth. I provide myself a decent bed to sleep in at night and heat for those cold winter nights and air conditioning for sweltering summer nights.
I love myself enough to make sure I have enough food in the cupboards and fridge, too much really. I wear nice clothes, not expensive, mind you, but nice. Right now I’m sitting on a very comfortable couch. Most comfortable one I’ve ever sat on!
And the greatest show of how much I love myself? Several years ago I gave myself a Mazda Miata convertible! It only had 2700 miles on it at the time and I’ve added another 40,000 almost! I love driving that thing. I love myself.
Now, I don’t ever, except just now, talk about how much I love myself. But the way I take care of and provide for myself tells the tale. And Jesus tells me to love my neighbor as myself? And, you may recall, he defines neighbor as even foreigners in the story of the Good Samaritan. Stop and think about it and this “greatest command” is also, perhaps, the most ridiculous command.
Then Jesus suggests that loving others the way I love myself only gets me to the border of the Kingdom of God!
Lord of the Difficult, I confess to being puzzled and sometimes frustrated by you. But I love you more than I love myself. In fact, I’m taking up my cross and denying myself in order to follow you. So… I’ve care for others the way I care for myself. Just help me and give me wisdom. - Mike Leamon
1 comment:
I am smiling right now! Like Pastor Dan mentioned, I marvel at God's infinate wisdom! It brings to remembrance the scripture in Psalms or maybe it's Proverbs (?), where it says Man's greatest wisdom, is God's foolishness.
When we ponder that command, "love your neighbor as yourself", it is silly,simple and profound. I think of the old question: Who do you look at first when looking at a photograph with you in it? Ourselves! We so love oursevles.
I so love God's simple, but profound word!!
Post a Comment