Kingdom Come: The Greatest Commandment, Love Is the Measure (Matthew 22:34-40)
- Through His ministry, Jesus emphasised the centrality of love in the life of His disciples. In these verses, Jesus is asked a question about the greatest commandment in the law. The law refers to the Torah, in which there are 613 commandments, plus another 1500 more commandments in the Mishna, the collection of teachings on the Torah that grew up in rabbinic Judaism around the time of Jesus. Jesus quotes back to them the Shema.
The Shema is a central declaration in Jewish faith from Deuteronomy 6:4-5, which states, “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 word “Shema” means to hear or listen, but it also implies obedience, making it more than just auditory; it’s about action.
Love is the Measure:
The core message of Jesus in this passage is that love is the ultimate standard by which a disciple’s life should be measured. Jesus connects love for God with love for others, showing that they are inseparable. The command to love God with all one’s heart, soul, and mind (verse 37) is the first and greatest commandment, immediately followed by the command to love your neighbour as yourself (verse 39). These two commandments are so interconnected that one cannot truly exist without the other. Jesus makes it clear that all the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments (verse 40).Loving God:
Loving God fully means that every aspect of our being—our emotions, thoughts, and actions—is oriented toward God. This kind of love is not superficial or partial but involves total commitment. Jesus calls for a love that encompasses the heart (our emotions), the soul (our spiritual life), and the mind (our intellect). This holistic love for God is the foundation upon which everything else in a disciple’s life is built.Loving Neighbour:
The command to love our neighbour as ourselves is a natural outflow of the first. If we truly love God, this love will be reflected in how we treat others. Loving our neighbour involves seeking their good, showing compassion, and acting justly. It challenges us to extend the same care and consideration to others that we would want for ourselves. This love is not merely a feeling but is demonstrated through action.The Measure of Discipleship:
According to Jesus, the true measure of discipleship is not in religious rituals or strict adherence to rules but in how well we embody love in our daily lives. Love is the distinguishing mark of a Christian. This love is inclusive, reaching out to all, regardless of social status, ethnicity, or background. It reflects God’s own love for humanity—a love that is sacrificial, unconditional, and transformative.Potential Application
1. Consider what changes you need to make in your love to become a person of love.
Changing a habit, a recurring thought at bedtime or wake up time, a relationship to the internet or social media or Netflix and emotion, you need to process a wound you need to let go of or forgive a therapy session.
