Holy Week, Day 2 - Disciple Makers Series #22Sample

Love God and love your neighbor  

Thoughts on the message

The third question for Jesus is really a simple one.

“What is the most important law of God?”

Jesus does more than just answer this question – He defines God’s law. All the Old Testament can be summarized by these two commands – love God and love your neighbor. We often do not see the Old Testament this way. We see so much of God’s judgment on sin, people coming up short, people needing correction, etc. that we forget that all of it is summarized by the word “Love”.

Jesus saw God in the Old Testament the same way we see Him in the New Testament. He is a God who sees everything fulfilled in love. This love is not just words but actions, the intent of our heart and consuming everything we do in our day. That is what fulfills God’s requirements. 

The problem is we do not know how to respond in love as we face life’s situations. When someone ignores us – how do we respond in love. When someone abuses us – how do we respond in love? When someone takes advantage of our weaknesses, failures and limitations – how do we respond in love? 

How? ... Look at Jesus.

Prayer

Father, I make things too complicated. I look for complicated answers to life’s situations – because life is complicated. Somehow, You see things so simply – not as simple, but with an answer that can be easily understood. Father, that is what I need today. To love You with all my heart. To love my brothers and sisters, my neighbors, my enemies – regardless of what they do to me. Simple to understand in theory, but hard to do in practice. So today, give me a heart not to get discouraged with my struggles to love like this. Give me a heart not to be overwhelmed by the challenge to love like this. Give me a heart that responds as You define Your commands to us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.