but when the pharisees heard that he had silenced the sadducees, they gathered together. and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” and he said to him, “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. this is the great and first commandment. and a second is like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself. on these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.”
[matthew 22:34-40]
this passage doesn’t need an explanation or an inspiring message to go with it. in fact, i think it would do it a disservice. so, i’ll keep this short.
Jesus is the king of the universe, and kings make commands.
that’s what this passage is. love God and love people. the command for all people regardless of church denomination, societal class, or personality type.
spend this morning in prayer. maybe for heart change in yourself, endurance to love in challenging circumstances, or something else the Spirit lays on your heart.
we love because he first loved us, so may we love well today.
God, give us your heart for your glory and your people. help us to love you and those around us with all of our heart, soul, and strength. help us to love well today.
amen.
~ john sandman