Matthew 22:34-40
Jesus Teaches Us the Greatest Commandment
34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 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.”
Jesus reached out to all sinners...He knows we all, each and everyone one of us fall short of God's Glory...We can see our troubles in being able to love all our neighbors in His Greatest Commandment teaching...As we look at some of His teachings we learn much...He healed the sick and disabled, even those who were considered unclean by the religious leaders...He touched lepers who were considered unclean and were outcasted by their neighbors...He ate with tax collectors, and prostitutes, which was considered scandalous at the time...He taught women and they followed Him in His Ministry, which was also a problem with the other men and also scandalous during His time...He forgave the sins of those who came to Him, regardless of their past...He taught that love is the Greatest Commandment, and that we should love our enemies...Jesus' inclusivity is a reminder that God LOVES everyone, regardless of who they are and their circumstances...It is also a challenge for us to be more inclusive and love everyone in our own lives, and to reach out to those who are marginalized and outcast...
Jesus' ministry helped others who were considered marginalized, those who were lost, and those who were persecuted by others...We often judge others and do not love everyone..."The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luke 19:10)..."Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)..."There is no one who is good, except God Alone." (Luke 18:19)..."Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:27-28)...He said you have heard that it was said in the past: An eye for eye, and tooth for tooth...But He teaches us, do not resist an evil person...If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also....Let him hit that one also...And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well...If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles...Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you (Matthew 5:38-42)...Do not judge others, or you too will be judged...For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you..."Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" (Matthew 7:1-3)...
Jesus calls us to nonviolence....He teaches that we should not respond to violence with violence, but instead with love and compassion...Jesus is calling us to have more humility...He teaches that we should not be proud or self-righteous, but instead be willing to humble ourselves and forgive those who wrong us...Jesus is calling us to learn this new and radical love...He teaches that we should love our enemies and do good to those who hate us, even pray for them...
The Greatest Commandment is very difficult to follow as you can see...But He did it and wants us to do it...Jesus has a Divine LOVE and Compassion...He understands and knows us better than we know ourselves...He knows all our troubles and circumstances...So as we continue on our faith journey in life, let us be like Jesus with a LOVE and an attitude of humility, forgiveness, mercy, and compassion...Let us follow His Greatest Commandment of Love...