Lovingly Close

‬‬ “Then one of the scribes [an expert in Mosaic Law] came up and listened to them arguing [with one another], and noticing that Jesus answered them well, asked Him, “Which commandment is first and most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The first and most important one is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul (life), and with all your mind (thought, understanding), and with all your strength.’ This is the second: ‘You shall [unselfishly] love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” The scribe said to Him, “Admirably answered, Teacher; You truthfully stated that He is One, and there is no other but Him; and to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to [unselfishly] love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered thoughtfully and intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that, no one would dare to ask Him any more questions.”

Love God, love people. Our church motto, and the principal on which the church as a whole was meant to be built. When Jesus envisioned the building of the church and the spreading of His message, love was to be the foundation (John 13:35). 

Love was, is, and always will be, what everything is to be built upon. The apostle Paul tells us that everything is meaningless without love (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). In this passage we get to see just how important love truly is. 

As we read, once again see the religious leaders attempting to challenge Jesus. This time they are testing His knowledge of the Jewish law (biblical commandments), and Jesus is asked which law is the greatest or most important. Jesus responds by saying, loving God with all that we have within us and around us is the most important thing to follow. 

Now, considering the times, Jesus could have stopped there and it would have been a satisfactory answer. Jesus however, takes it a step further by putting the love of people on the same level as loving God. Essentially making the love of God and people of equal importance, not placing one above the other. If love is missing for one then love is missing for both. Simply put, if you don’t love God then you can’t love people or if you don’t love people then you can’t love God (1 John 4:20). 

When the religious leader acknowledges the truth of Jesus’ response, Jesus tells him that he is not far from God. Love is the answer. Love is the reason why a perfect God can accept us even with all our flaws.
His love for us is the source of His forgiveness. As we grow closer to God we in turn love Him more and as a result we love people more. We have to love God to love people, but loving people is evidence that we love God. So, if you desire a closeness with God, it begins with love.

Prayer:
Lord help us see people with Your eyes. To love them as You would have us love them. May our love for You and them continuously grow, and may it bring us closer and closer to You. Amen.