In Matthew 22 Jesus is asked one of the most important questions found in the New Testament: Which is the greatest commandment in the Law? His response was in two parts.
1.) “You shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart, and with all of you soul, and with all of your Mind.” V.37.
Though that answered the question He continued with another response.
2.) “The second IS LIKE IT, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” V.39.
We may have heard this before, but maybe not. Though this was a question and response to the Old Law it serves as a foundation to the new Christian Law. How interesting it is that Jesus would say that loving your neighbor is just as important as loving our God.
The question must be asked though: what does that look like? In a response to another question in Luke 10:30-37 Jesus gives the parable that is often referred to as the parable of the good Samaritan. Who is a good neighbor? The one who shows love and mercy. It is easy to think selfishly. Whether it is in terms of our time or our possessions. Loving our neighbors demands sacrifice from ourselves. “Love them as yourself.”
It is interesting as well that the last command Jesus gave to the disciples before His ascension was “Go and make disciples…” Matthew 28:19. We are to love our neighbors and one of the most important aspects of that love should be to share the Gospel with them. To take a step outside of our comfort zone and fear about any awkwardness and share the Word of God with them. True love is showing someone the love of Jesus. If we love as we are commanded to love, then sharing the Gospel of Jesus should never cease!
-Corey Tackett
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