Our scripture this week is Matthew 22:34-46.
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 neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” “The son of David,” they replied. He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says, “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”’ If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.
Jesus has taught us what is most important – our relationship with God and one another. If we get this right, everything else will follow. When we interact with love we are better able to see God’s plan for us and the world.
Those listening that day might have remembered the scripture “Hatred stirs up strife but love covers all sins” (Proverbs 10:12). In one of his letters Peter echoes this teaching saying “Love covers a multitude of sins” (1Peter 4:8). Those who come to know Jesus learn that this is an essential part of the faith to which He calls us.
We desperately need to show our love for God and each other in our words and actions right now. We are concerned for our health and we worry over the state of our world. Jesus knows our fears and weakness, and He calls us to the assurance that God cares about us. Loving God and each other is the only way to resolve our issues and bring healing to all.
Gracious God, we know that it is only through Your love that we are here at all. Help us to us share that love with one another that the world may know You. Amen.