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Devotion The Greatest Commandment

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Matthew 22:34-40 NRSV

The Greatest Commandment

34 When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, 35 and one of them, an expert in the law, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37 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.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Is it enough to just know? Is it enough to just know the greatest commandment?

What is the greatest commandment? We should know the greatest commandment. And we should obey it as the LORD commands.

In our text today, the beginning verse started with the Pharisees and the experts of the law gathered together. One of them questioned Jesus about the commandment. This one, who is a law expert, tried to test Jesus.  And Jesus was able to answer him.

These Pharisees and other law experts are studying the law their entire life. It means they know it already. However, the problem with them is after they know about it, they don’t act accordingly and practice it. They know the law but fail to obey it. Jesus told them and reminded them again of the greatest commandment (Love God, and others as oneself).

I often ask God, “Lord how can I live a life worthy for you?” I asked this because, sometimes I thought I was doing nothing for others. I know God’s word, but how can I live it? How can I make God’s word alive in me? And to answer this, I just remember the tagline of the Nike Brand, “JUST DO IT.”

God’s word is our guide in our daily life. It is one of the basics of Christian life. Knowing God’s word is not enough. We must do it. We should obey it. Find ways to practically make God’s word alive in your daily living. How can you love God and others practically? Love is an action word. 1 John 3:18 says, “Little children, let us love not in word or speech but indeed and truth.

Matthew 25:35-40

35 for I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing, I was sick, and you took care of me, I was in prison, and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you as a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’

Loving God is loving others and vice versa.

Is it enough to just know? Is it enough to just know the greatest commandment?

No, it is not enough. We must both know and obey it.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit Amen.

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