Mateus 22

Mateus 22

Meyer - Matthew 22:37 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God … with all thy mind. This was Adam’s blessed privilege in Eden; but he missed it. The love of self took the place of the love of God. It is the aim of our blessed Lord to bring us back to that position. Perfect love is the sunlit peak to which his whole redemption tends. And perfect love would be perfect holiness. If a man were to love God and his neighbor as his first and chief and all-absorbing passion, there would be no room for sin to establish itself in his heart. But does not this command seem altogether impracticable? It does; and it is impracticable to our mortal flesh. It is high; we cannot attain to it. Yet the very sublimity of the demand is intended to drive us to the Holy Ghost. He sheds abroad the love of God in hearts which are fully yielded to Him. If you desire that this love should be your privilege, lie down low before the flow of the River of Life, and it will fill every gully and inlet of your nature. But, perhaps you are not of an emotional nature; you cannot gleam and flash, and shed tears, and light up with smiles. You cannot love God with your heart! Then see, the Lord says that you can love Him with your mind, i.e., with your intellect, your choice, your will. Probably this is where you have to begin. Give your mind, your will, your power of choice to God. Make Him first. Ask Him to take the helm of your life, and to control, inspire, and direct its every movement. Crown Him King. And when the will, which is the high priest of your nature, has put its crown of life on the head of Christ, who is God Incarnate, all the emotions and affections and faculties of heart and Life will come in to swell the court with their homage and acclaim. Daniel Akin proposes a series of questions helps evaluate our “love life” when it comes to rightly loving God and Is the Lord the all-consuming passion of my life? Do I have a deep, intense and abiding affection for my Lord? Am I loyal to my God with an exclusive love? Do I resist and even oppose anything or anyone that seeks to do my Lord harm? Am I zealous to, with grace, defend my Lord’s name and honor? Do I enjoy spending time with my Lord? Do I do things that please my Lord and increase His joy? Do I brag on my Lord to others? Do I tell my Lord that I love him? Do I talk with my Lord as much as I can? Akin goes on to emphasize that "these are not things I do to get God to love me. They are things I do because I am loved by Him and because I love Him. I never lose sight of the fact that I do not love Him to get Him to love me. I love Him because He first loved me (1 John 4:10+) (Mark 12:28-34 Two Great Commandments, Two Great Loves) Norman Geisler - When Cultists Ask - MATTHEW 22:37–39—Does obedience to the “greatest commandments” bring about a unity of religions? MISINTERPRETATION: In Matthew 22:37–39 Jesus described the first and second greatest commandments as loving God and loving one’s neighbor. According to New Agers, these commandments “describe the process by means of which the barrier of separation is broken down, by which microcosm (man) and macrocosm (God) can be one and synthesis and unity be expressed within the relative universe of I and thou, me and you.” By being obedient to these commandments people “will build the most enduring bridges between creeds, paths, teachings, and philosophies” (Spangler, 1981, 30). CORRECTING THE MISINTERPRETATION: First, the commandment about loving God takes priority over loving people. God is to be loved with all of one’s heart; the neighbor is to be loved only as one loves oneself. The clear implication here is that God should be loved supremely but humankind only finitely. In light of this distinction, it is clear that the first priority is expression of love to the one true God—not to Buddha, or Krishna, or any idols set up by New Agers. A serious flaw in New Age thinking is the assumption that loving God and loving one’s neighbor automatically does away with all discrimination and separation (between religions, for example). However, such is clearly not the case. Jesus recognized the importance of love, exhorting his followers to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:43–44). Yet, this same Jesus (at the Judgment) will say to unbelievers: “I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness” (Matt. 7:23 NASB). God loves the world (John 3:16), but eternal torment nevertheless awaits those who reject his provision for salvation in Jesus Christ (Rev. 20:14). The Little Evangelist Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. —Mark 12:30 Today's Scripture: Mark 12:28-34 My 6-year-old neighbor Michael and I were talking in my front yard when two new neighbor kids stopped by. After I asked them their names, Michael’s first question to them was: “Do you love God?” Sugar, a 5-year-old boy, quickly responded, “No!” Michael gave him a look of disapproval and concern. When 4-year-old Nana noticed he wasn’t pleased with that answer, she said, “Yes!” Michael’s “witnessing strategy” may not be the most effective, but he does have an important question for the people he meets (and I’ve heard him ask it of several others as well). Jesus was asked, “Which is the first commandment of all?” (Mark 12:28). He answered, “The Lord is one. ‘And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength'” (vv.29-30). Jesus was referring to Old Testament times, when God had told the Israelites to place Him as the one and only God in their lives and nation. The pagan nations around them had many gods they loved and worshiped, but God’s people were to be different. For Further Thought Have you trusted in Jesus as your Savior? What evidence is there in your life that you love God? How are you showing God's love to others? If you truly love the Lord, you'll want others to love Him too. An Important Command You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. — Mark 12:30 Today's Scripture & Insight: Mark 12:28-34 When asked by a lawyer to identify the most important rule in life, Jesus replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). In those words, Jesus summed up what God most desires from us. I wonder how I can possibly learn to love God with all my heart, soul, and mind. Neal Plantinga remarks on a subtle change in this commandment as recorded in the New Testament. Deuteronomy charges us to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength (Dt 6:5). Jesus added the word mind. Plantinga explains, “You shall love God with everything you have and everything you are. Everything.” That helps us change our perspective. As we learn to love God with everything, we begin to see our difficulties as “our light and momentary troubles”—just as the apostle Paul described his grueling ordeals. He had in mind a “far more exceeding and eternal . . . glory” (2 Cor. 4:17). Once earthly joy I craved, sought peace and rest; Now Thee alone I seek; give what is best. This all my prayer shall be: More love, O Christ, to Thee. —Prentiss The most treasured gift we can give to God is one that He can never force us to give—our love. A Web Of Relationships You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind. —Mark 12:30 Today's Scripture: John 15:1-14 Several years ago, a Harvard Business School professor wrote an open letter to the nation’s graduates. He told them that in one sense they needed to forget what they had learned in school. He said that schools tend to put too much emphasis on the idea that success comes as a result of passing tests and is based on individual performance rather than on group effort and cooperation. The professor pointed out, though, that in the workplace doing well depends largely on learning to succeed in what he called a “web of relationships.” This truth also applies to living the Christian life. We often think that spiritual maturity and success result from how much we know about biblical facts and principles. Christ showed us, however, that it comes from something else—from loving one another in the same way He loved us. He made it clear that we can do this only if we “abide” in Him (Jn. 15:7). This means we must stay close to Him through prayer, and that we will obey His commands (v.10). Our web of relationships must extend to God and then to others. Lord, help us learn from what You did When You lived on this earth; You spread Your love to all You met— You gave each one true worth. —JDB When Christians draw close to Christ, they draw closer to one another. Private Property Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. —Mk. 12:30 Today's Scripture: Mark 12:28-34 An editorial cartoon depicted the first nativity scene, but with a modern twist. As the shepherds were paying homage to the baby, one said, “This had better be happening on private property or we’re in trouble!” The cartoon pokes fun at laws banning the display of religious symbols on public property, but the phrase can be seen in another light. If we aren’t worshiping the Christ of Christmas in the “private property” of our hearts, we are truly in trouble. The citadel of heart, soul, and mind is the ultimate in private property. No one can legislate what happens there. And love for others is the demonstration of God’s presence in our lives. No law can banish that from public display. When Jesus was questioned about the greatest commandment, He answered, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself'” (Mk. 12:30-31). Ah, dearest Jesus, Holy child! Make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled, Within my heart, that it may be A quiet chamber kept for Thee. —Luther If you honor Christ in your heart, He will be honored by your life. Matthew 22:38 “This is the great and foremost commandment. KJV Matthew 22:38 This is the first and great commandment. BGT Matthew 22:38 αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ μεγάλη καὶ πρώτη ἐντολή. NET Matthew 22:38 This is the first and greatest commandment. CSB Matthew 22:38 This is the greatest and most important command. ESV Matthew 22:38 This is the great and first commandment. NIV Matthew 22:38 This is the first and greatest commandment. NLT Matthew 22:38 This is the first and greatest commandment. NRS Matthew 22:38 This is the greatest and first commandment. NJB Matthew 22:38 This is the greatest and the first commandment. NAB Matthew 22:38 This is the greatest and the first commandment. YLT Matthew 22:38 this is a first and great command; MIT Matthew 22:38 This commandment is paramount and primary. GWN Matthew 22:38 This is the greatest and most important commandment. Related Passages: Mark 12:31+ “The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” THE GREATEST AND THE FOREMOST This is the great and foremost (protos - most important) commandment (entole) - Great (megale) means most important, preeminent, overarching and surpassing all others in weight and significance. Foremost speaks of rank, priority, or foundation and as such is the starting point and source from which all other commands should flow. It defines the essence of what God desires: a relationship grounded in total love, not mere ritual or rule-keeping andis is the foundation for fulfilling all other laws (Mt 22:40). Stated another way loving God is not just the first commandment — it is the core of every commandment. All genuine obedience begins with love for God (Jn 14:15+). Love of God is the chief duty of man and is superior to every other obligation. Stanley Saunders: This answer allows Jesus to affirm the two commandments as “great” and “first” without suggesting that they trump or diminish the rest. There is not one great commandment, nor even two, and then many subordinate commandments, but an integral whole that encompasses the law and the prophets. The greatness of these two commandments lies not in their distinction from the others, but in their capacity to articulate the root and foundation of the whole tradition. While love in both Mt 22:37 and Mt 22:39 is in the future tense, from this verse clearly both are to be seen as commandments. 🙏 THOUGHT - On a scale of 1 to 10 (not judging you because I am looking in the mirror as I write) how would you "grade" your love for God today? If you are faltering (as I often do) in your love for God, read (memorize and meditate on) David's (cf Acts 13:22b+) words in Ps 18:1-2+ "I love You, O LORD, my strength.” The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." If you have never read J I Packer's classic work Knowing God (borrow) in which love of God is a central theme. Matthew 22:39 “The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ KJV Matthew 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. BGT Matthew 22:39 δευτέρα δὲ ὁμοία αὐτῇ· ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν. NET Matthew 22:39 The second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' CSB Matthew 22:39 The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. ESV Matthew 22:39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. NIV Matthew 22:39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' NLT Matthew 22:39 A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' NRS Matthew 22:39 And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' NJB Matthew 22:39 The second resembles it: You must love your neighbour as yourself. NAB Matthew 22:39 The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. YLT Matthew 22:39 and the second is like to it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; MIT Matthew 22:39 The second is similar: Love your fellow human being as you love yourself. GWN Matthew 22:39 The second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.' Thou: Mt 19:19 Lev 19:18 Mk 12:31 Lu 10:27,28 Ro 13:9,10 Ga 5:14 Jas 2:8 neighbour: Lu 10:29-37 Ro 15:2 Ga 6:10 Related Passages: Mark 12:31+ “The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Leviticus 19:18+.‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD. 1 John 4:19-21+ We love, because He first loved us. 20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also. The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE (agapao - carries force of a command) YOUR NEIGHBOR (plesion) AS YOURSELF - It is ironic that this command to love as we love ourselves actually calls for total commitment to selfless love (meaning of agapao the highest kind of love). Jesus quotes from the Septuagint of Leviticus 19:18+. Note the phrase "as yourself" which in contrast to some modern interpretations of this passage, is not commanding that a person love himself or herself. To the contrary it is assumed each person already does love himself or herself. Your neighbor is literally "one who is nearby" and thus describes our fellow man, whoever and wherever we encounter them. It means anyone and everyone we have opportunity to meet in any way! This word (plesion) is "all inclusive."