All you need is love...

Although the phrase was made popular by the Beatles, the concept was introduced at a much earlier time! When Jesus was asked about the Greatest Commandment, he surprised his audience with his answer. The Jews were more than familiar with the command to, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and all your strength…” (Deuteronomy 6:5). What they weren’t expecting to hear was the addition of a second commandment.

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, the Lord 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.” (Mark 12:28-31)

The shocking portion of this dialogue is that Jesus lists these commands together. Somehow loving God was supposed to be more than burnt offerings and sacrifices. Jesus tells the teachers of the law that by loving those around us, we are loving God the Father and honoring him. And lest we feel relief at loving those only in our inner circle, we only have to look at Matthew 5:43-44 to see that Jesus desires us to love our enemies. All he asks is love.

Little eyes are watching us…what are we modeling for them?

Our key word this weekend is indeed LOVE and we will be discovering the meaning of loving our neighbor through the story of the Good Samaritan.

I will see you guys this weekend! - Ginger