The question of the great command …
- Matthew 22:35–40 (NIV)
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.”
The question for many is not “Do I agree that Jesus says the most important teaching is to love God and love my neighbor?”
Many, probably most people sitting in the pew, agree that this is what Jesus says.
But do we believe it, live it?
Do I structure my life based on this clear instruction? Does my blueprint for life, my design for godliness and faithful service embrace this priority Christ so clearly taught us?
Many emphatically answer yes to Christ.
But too many opt for further study over immediate and decisive agreement with God. I guess they need to know more. This simple teaching just isn’t clear enough for them.
For them the issue is delayed … “under further review.”
This delay, this fearful, overly cautious response to Christ’s teaching upsets me, especially from those respected as teachers of the truth of God’s word. To them this teaching sounds a dissonant chord: God said it, and they want to believe God yet they are fearful of changes they may face.
Submitting to this teaching is extremely difficult and amazingly rewarding.
But you do have to bow, and some would have to give up too much to receive this teaching as God intended.
You can agree with the teaching and not bow before God.
But if you live the teaching, you will bow. And again and again, and one day finding yourself bowed before the throne of the one you love.
- The path of Christ leads to the throne of God.
