What’s Most Important
The Beatles told us that all you need is love
When Jesus is asked the question, what is most important, what is the first commandment above all the others, he replies:
The Most Important Commandment
28One of the teachers of the Law of Moses came up while Jesus and the Sadducees were arguing. When he heard Jesus give a good answer, he asked him, “What is the most important commandment?”
29Jesus answered, “The most important one says: `People of Israel, you have only one Lord and God. 30You must love him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.’ 31The second most important commandment says: `Love others as much as you love yourself.’ No other commandment is more important than these.”
32The man replied, “Teacher, you are certainly right to say there is only one God. 33It is also true that we must love God with all our heart, mind, and strength, and that we must love others as much as we love ourselves. These commandments are more important than all the sacrifices and offerings that we could possibly make.”
34When Jesus saw that the man had given a sensible answer, he told him, “You are not far from God’s kingdom.” After this, no one dared ask Jesus any more questions.
Jesus sums it up as love. Love God, love others and love yourself. So this Kingdom of God’s that is beginning to grow, this new thing God is doing – love is what you need. Without love it won’t work. Jesus isn’t talking about sloppy sentimental love, he means the hard love of sacrifice, of walking the tough road together, of mopping fevered brows, of forgiving and forgetting – the love that costs and keeps on giving. That is how God’s Kingdom works.
Jesus has set us the example. He brought God’s love alive – can we follow the way he has shown us.
Can we love God, as we reflect on all he has done, all he continues to do?
Can we love ourselves? Often the hardest part, but it was for the depth of his love for us that Jesus came into the world and showed us God’s ways. He wanted to help us, for us to understand, and ultimately to die that we might know a life of forgiveness and love.
And if we live in these, can we then turn that to others and love them too? When they hurt us, when they fail us – and when they love us.
Lord,
may the flame of your love
burn brightly in my heart.
As I delight in the knowledge
that you love me,
may that cause me to live in love for others.
May I live in love:
of you,
of myself,
and of my neighbour
near and far
This year, I am again following the BigRead using Tom Wright’s Lent for Everyone – Mark. I’ll reflect here – if you’re following it too, or even if you’re not, please share with me.
Pam's Perambulation 