“What is the most important commandment?”
One day the Sadducees were debating with Jesus. What they were actually doing was trying to trap him with trick questions. A teacher of the law heard the debate and asked Jesus the above question. “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” [Mark 12:29-31]
I read much written by people who claim to know “what Jesus would do” in every situation. They have latched onto the second part of the great commandment, the part about loving neighbors and then use this to chide anyone who doesn’t agree with their political philosophy. Where they often fail, however, is to embrace that first part of the commandment that commands all to love the Lord God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.
I often notice that those who shout the loudest about the second part of the great commandment are the most silent about the first part. You can’t, however, have one without the other.
What is the most important? Our lives are to be living examples of the devotion Jesus had to the Father. He said to do the will of the Father was His “meat” – meaning what governed and sustained His every word and action. If you want me to heed your words about what “Jesus would do” you had better show me first that you are at least seeking and striving to love the LORD our God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.
