I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Matthew 12. “One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked Him, ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’ ‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is ONE. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.’ Well said, Teacher’, the man replied. ‘You are right in saying that God is one and that there is no other but Him. To love Him with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.’ When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, He said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God'” (Verses 28-34). I noticed something unique about this particular encounter, this was the first time that Jesus did not have to lead the participant to the answer. This man got it! What did he get? There is ONE God (thus the “All roads lead to heaven” mantra is turned on its head). Two, he realized that these two simple rules (love God with all of your being and love your neighbor as you love yourself) would covered all the other rules. All six hundred and thirty laws boiled down into two easily said, but not so easy to follow steps. Yes, it is hard in our “human-ness” to love God with everything, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t attempt it. Jesus wouldn’t have said it if He wasn’t going to give us the strength to accomplish it. The reward?  The kingdom of God.

“What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to His voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice”…(1 Samuel 15:22, NLT).