Love one another

Matthew 22:34-40 (NLT)
34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again. 35 One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” 37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

The Sadducees were distinct from the Pharisees in several ways. The Sadducees rejected the oral traditions that the Pharisees held to. The Sadducees believed only the first five books of the Bible written by Moses were authoritative. The Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the dead and in angels and spirits; while the Sadducees rejected such beliefs. Two groups very different in their beliefs tried to show where the statements of Jesus were wrong. They were trying to humiliate Him, but in doing so created their own humiliation. The Pharisees were trying to pit Jesus against the Sadducees. They asked what the most important commandment was in the Law of Moses. The response Jesus gave was simple; love God with all your heart, soul and mind and also to love one’s neighbor. The proper relationship with God allows the proper relationship with others, which drives us to act responsibly towards God and each other.

In the Greek language there were separate words for love; there is a godly love, a friendly love, and a lustful love. Jesus was speaking of a godly love for both God and man. We are not just to love others as friends; we are to love others as God would love them. We need to avoid arguing over small differences in beliefs and focus on meeting the needs of each other. When we see our fellow man struggling we are to help and not hinder. When we have a difference we should seek to reconcile. When there is an injustice we are to seek justice. The proper motivation founded in godly love will always point us in the right direction. Let’s follow what Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind; love (godly love) your neighbor as yourself.”