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The Greatest Commandment

Matthew 22:34-40
Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?' 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 neighbour as yourself." All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.' (NIVUK)

Religious activity in Israel was controlled by two groups of leaders, Sadducees and Pharisees. Sadducees adhered strictly to the written Law in the first five books of the Bible, oversaw temple worship but denied that there was an afterlife. The Pharisees also taught from the Law of Moses but added many extra rules which God had never given, which became part of their culture. In their minds, the more diligent they were in their religious practices, the more God would be pleased. But what about those laws they failed to keep? James said that if only one law was broken, the person was guilty of breaking all of them (James 2:10).

By asking Jesus to name the greatest commandment, the Pharisees wanted Jesus to side with them against the Sadducees. They also wanted to see whether He would agree with their idea of which laws were the greatest - it was a popular debate at the time. But, of course, Jesus was not caught out.

Instead of citing a particular commandment, Jesus summarised the purpose of the Old Testament Law - to bring people into relationship with God. Using the Shema, which was recited by every Hebrew family each day (Deuteronomy 6:4-5), Jesus showed that God commanded active love – love that obeyed God and achieved God’s work in the world. He did not want their religious duty but their love; genuine loving relationships and sacrificial lifestyles (Leviticus 19:18). Without love expressed in action they had no future with God at all (1 John 3:10-18).

That is the reason for the gospel. We are all sinners and cannot justify ourselves in God's sight. That is why Jesus became the one perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world. Those who trust in Him will enter a relationship with God. That is so different from Christ-less religion. Whichever religion you look at, it has a sort of moral ladder to climb, hopeful of pleasing God. But that is not the Christian life. We start to enter a relationship with Him once we admit we are out of relationship, and only experience the relationship once we welcome Him as Saviour and Lord. Look at www.crosscheck.org.uk and share it with your friends. It will help them to find this relationship also.

Prayer 
Loving God. Thank You very much for loving me despite my weakness and sinfulness. Thank You for making a way for me to have a new life with You through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Forgive me when I have kept this excellent news hidden from my friends or when I have let them think that my life with You is due to my good works rather than Your saving grace. Give me the boldness to share the truth. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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