Scripture
“Teacher, what is the greatest commandment in the Law?” He replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being,and with all your mind.This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: You must love your neighbor as you love yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.” -Matthew 22:36-40 CEV
Observation
An individual desiring to gain a teachers perspective proposes a simple question, “what is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Why?
Maybe the question was birthed out of a desire to please the teacher. Maybe this individual was genuinely overwhelmed by the endless rules, regulations, and commands found in the Old Testament. Or maybe the student was trying to look smart in front of others.
This students motive for asking the question has endless possibilities.
As a fellow student watching, observing, learning and sitting at Jesus feet. I can picture him thinking through his response.... Then simplifying and summarizing the entire Old Testament two direct answers and then later a how to: tag. (aka the great commission - see Matthew 28:18-20).
#1 “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being,and with all your mind.”
#2 “You must love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
Application - Question: How does this play out in my daily life?
#1 “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being,and with all your mind.” -Matthew 22:37
Response:
“love the Lord your God with all your heart”
- to not harden, numb, or cap my emotions.... but trust God has created emotions for a good purpose and I need to trust him.... choose to love him.... giving him access in that area.
“love the Lord your God with all your being”
-physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually with all that I am internally and externally.... choosing to obey, honor, and admit when I’ve wronged God with every fiber in my body.
“love the Lord your God with all your mind”
-Letting God capture my thoughts, dreams, and interact with Him about life....
#2 “You must love your neighbor as you love yourself.” -Matthew 22:38
Response:
“as you love yourself”
How does one love themselves? Self-love? Self-care? Th medical and mental health professionals attempted to define this self-love / self-care concept by prescribing healthy lifestyle changes and stress management behaviors. Self-care is not self-pampering. Self-care is not self-indulgence. Self-care means choosing behaviors that balance the effects of emotional and physical stressors: exercising, eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, practicing yoga or meditation or relaxation techniques, abstaining from substance abuse, pursuing creative outlets, engaging in psychotherapy. Also essential to self-care is learning to self-soothe or calm our physical and emotional distress.
“you must love your neighbor.”
This needs to start and end with my immediate family. Then expand to: extended family, friends, acquaintances, and then to complete strangers.
Prayer
I need your help and perseverance while you work these things into my life God. Honestly, today I feel overwhelmed by your response to this students question. Help, me really be with you God verses checking you off my list. -Trevor
Share your thoughts with me.
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