Exploring Holy WeekSample

We’ve already seen this week how jealous the Pharisees were of Jesus’ upside-down way of caring for the people. But in today’s reading, they laid a trap for Jesus in the form of a question: which command in the law is the greatest? This question was a trap because the Pharisees were experts in God’s law, familiar with the many specific and complicated parts of trying to live perfectly. They even added more rules to try to gain the respect of their peers and the people. How could someone who loved God exclude a single part of the law?

But Jesus didn’t choose a law about making sacrifices or keeping clean or any of the extra rules the Pharisees followed. Instead, he revealed how well he knew God by giving the reason behind the thousands of laws, summarizing it into two statements: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind (Matt. 22:37) and Love your neighbor as yourself (v. 39). The purpose was love, asking people to live every day in relationship with God and set aside their pride and fear to look after one another and be taken care of themselves.

Explore. God’s desire for us remains the same today: love him and love others. It’s easy to say and hard to remember to do. What are some ways that you can show love to others and to God this week? What are some ways you’ve received love from others and from God this week so far?