The Greatest Of Loves Series

Background to passage: to lay the context again, this is Jesus’s last week of his life. He has come into Jerusalem on a donkey to much fanfare and celebration that would be due the messiah. He has also cleansed the temple in rather dramatic fashion. He has be questioned about his authority, about paying taxes, about the resurrection. He has told three parables directed toward the religious leaders. So, everyone is mad at him, the crowds are amazed, but one thing is abundantly clear, this is an all out clash between Jesus and the religious establishment. Now they are trying to draw him into another theological debate to trap him—an expert in the law asks him what is the greatest command.

Matthew 22:33 ESV

And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.

Matthew 22:34 ESV

But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together.

Matthew 22:35 ESV

And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.

Matthew 22:36 ESV

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”

Matthew 22:37 ESV

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

Matthew 22:38 ESV

This is the great and first commandment.

Matthew 22:39 ESV

And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Matthew 22:40 ESV

On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Opening illustration: Most of you have been to the gym or know someone who works out a lot, not just to stay healthy, but to get ripped and strong. He eats on the right stuff, takes all the supplements for lean muscle mass building, has a precise routine to work out every muscle group on specific days and times, constantly measuring and calculating, but never interacts with anyone else. Headphones on, playlist going, man on a mission, oblivious to everyone and everything else.

He doesn’t spot anyone. He doesn’t encourage anyone. He doesn’t socialize with anyone. He doesn’t help anyone. I realize that working out is about your own body, but most of the time it involves others. This guy had the loving himself down pat, but he missed the loving others.

Main thought:

1) Love God (v. 37)

Matthew 22:37 ESV

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

1) Love God (v. 37)

Explanation: I think this is one of those truths in the bible that we are so familiar with that it often loses it’s meaning. Jesus drew these two scriptures, both of which were well known, out of Deut and Lev, but may have been the first rabbi to put them together in such fashion. This first command was what was known as the Shema and would have been recited daily by all Jewish families.

The Jews would not have separated heart, soul, and mind like we might try to; it would have equated or summarized the entire being or core being or fullness of an individual’s life. The command to love in this context would have meant to love someone based on their value, to have affection or a special devotion to; to love something or someone more than one’s own life.

In relationship to God this would have meant deep affection for the value and worth of the God of the Universe and the God that had a relationship with his chosen people. It would have also meant absolute allegiance to him. It would have meant including him in every decision made. It would have included worship, as well as a willingness to do all things commanded by the law joyfully and for the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 16:22 ESV

If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!

Illustration:

Application: the meaning of this would have been the same for us. An affection for God. An allegiance to God. A joyful obedience to God. An incorporation of God into every aspect of life. Maybe some questions or areas of life will help us evaluate:

Emotions and feelings — all through scripture we seek pictures, descriptions, examples, commands, of proper desires toward God. Do we long for him as a deer looks for water in a dry and thirsty land? Do we sell all that we have for the joy of a pearl to gain this one pearl of greatest price? Do you rejoice in the Lord in all things, especially as it relates to his value and your relationship? Only you can know the answers.

Priorities and Allegiance — Paul said he counted all things loss for the privilege of knowing Christ. Do you? Are you concerned about God’s will for your life enough that you will prioritize it over all things? Do you regularly ask yourself what God would have you do with any particular decision? Where does your faith rank in the priorities of your life? Are the disciplines of the Christian life present in you?