Israel was chosen by God to be a light to the nations. To help them live differently from the surrounding pagan cultures, God gave them the Ten Commandments and hundreds of other commandments. These touched every part of life: worship, family, business, care for the vulnerable, and even what they ate. Through them, God was patiently shaping His people into a way of life marked by faithfulness to Him and care for one another.
Over the centuries, further customs and traditions grew up around these commandments. By the time of Jesus, there were many rules and interpretations to follow, which is why the religious scholar could ask Him which commandment was the greatest of all.
Jesus' answer would not have surprised His listeners. He quotes the Shema, a prayer every faithful Jew knew by heart and recited daily: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone." From this profession of faith flows the command to love God with one's whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. Jesus reminds His listeners that beneath all the commandments lies a relationship of love with the one true God.
What does this look like in practice? Loving God is more than an emotion. Feelings come and go, but true love remains an act of the will. We see this in Job, who lost everything yet continued to bless God. We see it most perfectly in Jesus, who in the Garden of Gethsemane surrendered Himself to the Father's will and prayed, "Not my will, but yours be done."
God looks at the heart. He wants our actions to flow from genuine love for Him rather than a desire to be noticed or praised. When we are rooted in that love, we think less about ourselves and become more willing to help, forgive, and serve others. Love for God naturally overflows into love for our neighbour, who also bears His image.
PONDER IN GOD’S PRESENCE:
In the ordinary moments of my day, how do I show my love for God?