Transcript The Great Commandment Matthew 22:34

The Great Commandment
Matthew 22:34 - 40
“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.” (22:36-40
Timeline of Passover Week
• Monday – Jesus entered
Jerusalem on a donkey colt to a
Messiah’s welcome
• Tuesday – Jesus cleansed temple
of sacrifice merchants and money
changers
• Wednesday
– He entered the city again and on
the way He cursed the fig tree
– The Judgment Parables
• While teaching in the temple courts,
the religious leaders questioned the
source of his authority
• Jesus condemns the Jewish leaders
through the parable of the tenants
• Jesus condemns the multitudes
through the parable of the wedding
banquet
• Wednesday
– Responses to Three Questions
• Jesus answers the question regarding
payment of taxes to Caesar
• Jesus answers the question regarding
the resurrection
• Jesus answers the question regarding
the greatest commandment
The Approach of the Pharisees (vv. 34-35)
Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together.
One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: (22:34-35)
• The Sadducees were speechless after Jesus’
response to their question regarding the
resurrection
• The Pharisees decided to try to entrap Jesus
themselves. They gathered and plotted their next
question
• They chose a lawyer to ask Jesus the next
question
The Question by the Lawyer (v. 36)
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” (22:36)
• “What was the greatest commandment of Moses?”
• Scribes and Pharisees were said to sit in Moses’ seat
(Matt. 23:2) because they represent the ultimate
authority in Judaism
• Rabbis categorized the law in various ways:
–
–
–
–
“Heavy” – absolutely binding
“Light” – less binding
Could not agree which laws fell into each category
Debating the question of the greatest law for centuries
The Response of the Lord (vv.37-40)
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.” (22:37-40)
• Jesus response was in accord with Mosaic law and Jewish
custom
• The commandment was part of the Shema (Hebrew for
“Hear”), so named because it began with, “Hear, O Israel.”
– Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 11:13-21, and Numbers 15:37-41
– Jews recited the Shema twice a day
• Scripture texts were copied on small pieces of parchment
and placed in small boxes worn on the foreheads and left
arms of Jewish men during prayer
The Response of the Lord (vv. 37-40)
• “Love”
– Hebrew word “Aheb”
• Act of mind and will, the determined care for the
welfare of something or someone
• Distinguishing characteristics – dedication and choice
• Love that recognizes and chooses to follow that which
is righteous, noble, and true, regardless of one’s
feelings on the matter
– Equivalent to Greek word “Agapao” in New
Testament
The Response of the Lord (vv. 37-40)
• To love the Lord will all of one’s heart, and soul, and mind connotes
comprehensiveness
– Heart – core of one’s personal being
– Soul – closest to what we call emotion
– Mind
• usually translated as “might” in Deuteronomy 6:5
• Intellectual, willful vigor and determination, carrying both the meaning of mental
endeavor and of strength
• Genuine love of the Lord is intelligent, feeling, willing, and serving
– Involves thought, sensitivity, intent, and action
– God has never sought empty words or empty ritual
• Love for and obedience to God are inseparable
– “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)
– Trust and obey
The Response of the Lord (vv. 37-40)
• Second greatest commandment – “Love your
neighbor as yourself”
– Involves the same virtue as the first – Love
– Genuine love for one’s neighbor is:
• Purposeful, intentional, and active
• Not merely sentimental and emotional
Conclusion
• The basic requirements of both Judaism and
Christianity are summed up in the same dual
command:
Love God
Love one’s fellow man