“’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 neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’” (Matthew 22:35–40, NIV 1984).
My Musings – “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” And why is that do you suppose? All heart, soul and mind. As yourself. If you do, then there is no room for bearing false witness, coveting, stealing or murdering. But some may say, that’s fine with God and our neighbors, but there are a lot more out there than our neighbors. Really?
“’And who is my neighbor?’ In reply Jesus said: ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. Look after him, he said, and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have. Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?’ The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’ Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise.’” (Luke 10:29–37, NIV 1984).
My Advice – Who are our Samaritan’s. Do we need to be taught by them, or anyone else, what it means to love our neighbors as ourselves? I guess that’s why the rest of the laws are there. Because we don’t always get the first two right.
