“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord Your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” -Matt. 22:37-40

Jesus was asked for the one, single greatest command; but he gives them two. Love of God is the first, but love of neighbor cannot be separated from it. Jesus, who always points us to God, always points us to our fellow man. Love of God and love of neighbor stand together.

‘Love’ is a word that is misused in our culture: we love hot dogs, we love cars. It is helpful to use other words to broaden and define the breadth of what ‘love’ is. We are to value people, honor them, serve them, bless them, and do right by them. The opposite of love could be considered not only hate, but also apathy, neglect, abuse – to do wrong by people.

This command is nothing new. Moses in Leviticus 19:18 told Israel to ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ And it is clear that it is not to be just a warm feeling – though it often includes that. It has to do with how we treat people. God loves people and cares how we treat people. (1 John 4:19-21) We have seen an example of that in the life of Mother Theresa who loved the poor and the homeless in Calcutta India. When asked about her life and calling she answered that Christ was in the poor and homeless – that by serving them she was serving Christ. (Matthew 25:31-46)

You might say there are three concentric circles in which we love. First, we are to love our family. (1 Timothy 5:8) There are those we have relationships with and are part of everyday lives. This would include our friends as well, those who make up our ordinary world.

Then there are those we encounter along the path – as taught in the parable of the Good Samaritan. (Luke 10:25-37) We accept and respond to the opportunities that are placed before us. We all know what it is like to pass by on the other side, don’t we. There are endless reasons.

Thirdly, there are those we take purposeful initiative to love. As God leads us we apply our resources to help those who are in need – beyond the boundaries of our normal life. It may be AIDS orphans in Africa, the homeless in Chicago, or wherever and to whomever God leads us.

Listen to the Apostle Paul: “…In Christ neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” -Gal. 5:6

Listen to the Apostle Peter: “ …Love one another deeply, from the heart.” -1 Peter 1:22

It is clear that at the heart of following Jesus is the call to love – love of God and love of neighbor; Not only in word, but in deed. And after all, love is the very first fruit of the Spirit.

Pastor Tim, June 24, 2007