SCRIPTURE
Matthew 22:34-40
But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 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. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
COMMENT
Ever notice how Jesus, when approached by someone with a question designed to trap or discredit Him, usually asks another question in return? Example: when asked if it is right to pay taxes, He asks to see a coin, and then asks, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" But in this case, there was no hesitation at giving a direct answer. What is the greatest commandment? Love God. Totally. Heart (emotions), soul (worship), mind (logic). Then Jesus answers a question they didn't ask, that the second greatest commandment is like it, to love your neighbor as yourself. Now we can debate who is my neighbor, but didn't Jesus define that in the parable of the Good Samaritan? For those who are not familiar, He showed that our neighbor was anyone in need.
Sometimes, we over complicate things. Sometimes, we shouldn't. Here was a case where Jesus did not want to complicate things. I still say it goes to the idea of repentance. Turning away for living for self, and to living for God. It really isn't that complicated. It gets complicated when we feel we have to justify or excuse the things that maybe we are not ready to surrender.
Perhaps if we just viewed this question the way Jesus did, one that deserves a complete and direct response, we would all be better off.
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