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Monday, March 31, 2025 A New Commandment I Give |
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Scripture: Matthew 22:35-40 (NLT) – “One of them [a Pharisee], an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: ‘Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?’ Jesus replied, ‘“You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.’” Message: In a recent Bible study of the ten commandments, the writer dug into each commandment one by one. The first three focus on a vertical relationship with the Father, the fourth explains how to honor the Sabbath, our relationship with the Father and all he has done for us. The last six relate to our horizontal relationships with others. The last five of these tell us what not to do in maintaining relationships and in reflecting God’s love to others. The study assignment included a worksheet instructing us to re-frame each commandment in a positive way, in our own words, using “shall” instead of “shall not”. The intent was to use this as a blueprint going forward in serving others. There were only ten short lines to use indicating brevity in the assignment. Would I rewrite thou shall not steal as thou shall steal? Or I shall commit adultery? I think not. I would want to consider the opposite of the focus of each commandment, or “What does God actually want us to do”. Then these two examples would read: “I shall give to those who ask” and “I shall honor the sacrament of holy matrimony”. Got it! I could see a plan developing to always reflect His love to others. Jesus summed up all of this with a new commandment recounted in Matthew, Mark and Luke as the Great Commandment: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all of your soul and all of your mind.” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37 & 39). All that Jesus said was in a positive light, and without one “not”. Prayer: Gracious and loving Father, help us see how to love our neighbors in a positive way that reflects Your love and character. Let us replace the “shall nots” with “shall” in all we do for You. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
John
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