The Greatest Commandment

DAILY READING

Matthew 22:34-40

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

Love is the Answer. Now what is the Question?

by Judy Webb

You might ask, "What does love have to do with prayer?" The reading for today is a very familiar one: “‘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.

While I understand we are to love God and love one another, I don't see an obvious connection to How Should I pray? Or do I, and it is just too obvious I can't put my finger on it. 

The answer is always love...or

The answer, is, always love...or

The answer is always, love

Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians 1:9, "And this is my prayer, that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight." 

We need to read the title of this series carefully. How should we pray? The question isn't what we should pray or pray for. It isn't asking for the cries of our heart or the needs of my personal care -- but how can I pray. That is a totally different question.

Realizing that love is a choice and something that doesn't come naturally or easily in many situations, love must often be prayed for. This is a heart change. This heart change is what our world needs most. Love God, Love each other. Sounds simple, but love is never simple. We must pray with boldness, confidence, and persistence. (Sunday's message by Mike Bradley) 

PRAYER PRACTICE

Jesus, I pray for Love to take over my life. I pray that my love for you is first and love for everyone else is next. Love is the answer to all our problems, but we know love isn’t always easy. Let us pray that our world is overtaken by love for you. Amen

Love God and your neighbor

March 18

Read Matthew 22:34-40 and reflect on the passage.

Underneath the starry sky, we rode back to the village in an open- air cattle truck. The Honduran man sitting next to me had led us in worship two nights before. He joined us that night in the neighboring village as our team lead worship. Without speaking the same language, we could love God together.

But, their love of God extends much farther than the walls of the church. It’s spending days nailing together a new chicken coop, advocating for clean water even if it won’t reach your own house, and dropping your own plans to take visitors on a challenging hike. I went to Honduras to serve my global neighbors, but it was the people in those villages that showed me what loving neighbors in your own community really means.

Now back home, I’m called to do the same. Jesus clearly commands us to love the Lord and love our neighbors. We are surrounded by people in our communities, offices, and homes that we can love the way Jesus does. For me, a reminder now hangs on my refrigerator—a photo of the mission team with a note from our team leader: “Love God. Love People. Impact the world.”

Questions

1. Who are the neighbors that God is calling you to love and serve?

2. How can you love God by loving others today?

Prayer

Lord, You are good. Thank You for Your unconditional love. Help me to love my neighbors the way You love me.

—Kelsey Kimmelman

Listening is Hospitality

If you are like me, there have been times when something is bothering you … really bothering you.

  It could be something that happened at work, or a misunderstanding with your spouse. Perhaps it had something to do with politics, or the recklessness of a driver in another car. Maybe, heaven forbid, it was something that happened at church.

Sometimes you have to take action to rectify the situation. Other times you merely need to vent. A reassuring ear can do wonders to get something off of your chest.

 Today’s reading is Matthew 22:34-40. Jesus is talking to the Sadducees (a Jewish sect that had merged many Greek ideas into their culture). He tells them to “Love the Lord your God with all your soul and all your mind” and to “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

 Loving your neighbor is not always easy. Let’s face it, we can’t always be pleasant. There are days when we wake up on the wrong side of the bed. Other days we are sure our neighbor woke up on the wrong side.

 Yet, we are to love them.

 Being hospitable to someone is a sign of Christian love. A smile and some kind words, the very basics, are a great start. But there are times when that is not enough.

 Your neighbor might have something that is bugging them.

 They are in no position to respond, or appreciate your hospitality. They have something else that needs to be dealt with.

 What do you do? If you are like me, you might want to walk away. But that wouldn’t show much love. Rather, you listen. Listen to what is bugging them. Let them get whatever it is off their chest. Maybe even give their emotion a name.

They will know you care, maybe even love them.

 Your hospitality and your love will be understood and appreciated.