S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Jesus was asked this very question by a Pharisee who was considered to be "an expert in the law" (Matthew 22:34-36). Jesus answered by saying, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all ...

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July 01 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

cheryl richardson Supporter Cheryl Richardson

God's greatest commandment: Love God. (Matthew 22:36-40) 
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.
These, however, are not really two, but one single commandment, the spheres of operation of which are completely inseparable. He did say the second is like the first. And, if one can actually live by this commandment, all else follows.There is no need for any other law.
God can, will, and must be loved totally or not at all, Love is total. It is not broken, partial or incomplete. If it were,it would not be love. Love is. And in that presence there is nothing else. Any pretense to love that is not all-inclusive is but an empty idol; at best a vague shadow, at worst a plastic counterfeit of the real thing.

September 22 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What is the greatest commandment? A Pharisee asked Jesus that question.

Matthew 22:34-36. Rotherham Bible:

"Now the Pharisees, hearing that he had silenced the Sadducees, were brought together with one accord; 35 and one from among them, a lawyer, proposed a question putting him to the test: 36 Teacher! Which commandment is greatest in the law?"

In verses 37-40, the Rotherham Bible answers that question:

37. "And he said unto him, 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind: 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 The second, like it is this: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 In these two commandments all the Law is contained and the prophets.'"

The answer Jesus gave is of tremendous importance to us today. In his reply, he summed up what has always been and will always be the essence of true worship. Quoting from Deuteronomy 6:5, Jesus said: "'Thou shalt therefore love Yahweh thy God, with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy might;" This is the greatest and first commandment." Though the Pharisee asked for just one commandment, Jesus gave him another. Quoting from Leviticus 19:18, he said: "'Thou shalt not take vengeance, neither shalt thou cherish anger against the sons of thy people, so shalt thou love thy neighbour as thyself, I am Yahweh.'" Jesus then indicated that these two laws embraced the whole of pure worship. Forestalling any attempt to get him to list in order of importance the other laws, he concluded: "On these two commandments the whole law hangs, and the prophets." (Matthew 22:37-40)

The essence of all of Yahweh's laws and regulations can be summed up in a single word: love. That has always been and will always be an essential part of pure worship. Jesus indicated that, not just the law with the Ten Commandments, but the entire Hebrew Scriptures were based on love.

Conclusion:

The greatest commandment is to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind". The second greatest commandment is to "love your neighbour as yourself," and Jesus stated that the entire Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. 

The first and greatest commandment: To love God with all your being.

The second commandment: To love your neighbour as yourself.
The connection: Jesus explained that the second commandment is "like it" and that both are the foundation for all other laws.

Jesus explained that all the law and the prophets of the Old Testament depend on these two commandments, making them the core of God's will for humanity.

The primary accounts of Jesus giving this answer are found in:
Matthew 22:36-40
Mark 12:28-31
Luke 10:25-28 

The commandments themselves are quotes from the Old Testament: 

"Love the Lord your God..." is found in Deuteronomy 6:5.
"Love your neighbour as yourself" is found in Leviticus 19:18.

3 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report