Loving God and Others – the Greatest Commandment of All

Matthew 22:34-40, NKJV

There’s a song and film – What’s Love Got to Do with It? The film is based on the life of Tina Turner, a popular American singer / song writer. The movie portrayed Tina’s life of abuse at the hands of her husband, Ike Turner. Frankly, I am not sure if the title question is rhetorical or not. I am sure that according to Scripture love has everything to do with it. It is God’s primary command to believers – love Him and others. 

Here the Pharisees had heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees when they questioned Him about marriage in the resurrection (vv.23-33). Jesus literally shut down the Sadducees’ wrong thinking, telling them that there is no marriage in the resurrection. However, the Pharisees got together, and the one, who was a lawyer, asked Jesus, “Teacher, which of the commandments is the greatest in the Law (v.36)?”

And Jesus replied to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ (v.37). This is the first and greatest commandment (v.38).The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself (v.39).’ He told them that the whole Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments” (v.40). That’s what love has to do with it. The Pharisees’ motive for asking Jesus what the greatest commandment of the Law is, was not genuine. They wanted to trap Him into contradicting the Law so they could use it against Him. Brothers and Sisters in Christ, that is how the devil works; therefore, stay alert to the wiles of the devil. Love God and your neighbors. 

Give God a hand clap of praise.