Matthew 22
New Hope Daily SOAP: Matthew 22
Pastor Vicki Harrison
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Matthew 22:34-40, Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
In this chapter, we see the Pharisees and Sadducees are trying to trick Jesus. They are desperately trying to trap him in his words so they can discredit him and/or arrest him. These teachers of the law feel like Jesus is destroying the very fabric of their religious faith. He certainly is turning everything upside down!
When asking about which commandment is greatest, the expert in the law is hoping to engage in some kind of debate. But the commandment Jesus chose was not one that could be open for debate – it was a commandment recited by pious Jews each and every day, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
But then, Jesus adds something new, as he often does. He says …and the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. A person cannot love God and treat their neighbor poorly. Love of God is not an intellectual or abstract claim. Rather, love of God is expressed in the way we love others. I John 4:20 speaks to this truth, Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.
What’s interesting to me here is that Jesus says that the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments. If one loves God wholeheartedly, then they will observe the law. If someone loves God wholeheartedly, they will care for others as well. The prophets often proclaimed the need to worship God sincerely (not just go through the motions) and take care of those who were oppressed. One cannot split hairs about observing the Sabbath but then cheat your neighbor in the marketplace.
Love of God and neighbor are intricately connected. This was true 2000 years ago and it’s true today. Think about this past week. How have you demonstrated love of God? What about love of neighbor?
Let’s pray…Lord Jesus, We do truly love you. You are worthy of our praise and adoration. Forgive us for the many times we have not loved you well and have not loved others well. Help us see others through your eyes and love people in a way that is pleasing to you and brings glory to your Kingdom. In Your Name, Amen.