Jesus effectively summarizes for his listeners the entirety of God’s Law in a few sentences. First, he repeats the traditional Shema, the prayer faithful Jews would pray every morning and evening at synagogue. It describes the relationship one is to have with God. God is to be in first place. God is owed one’s best. And from that foundational relationship, all other relationships and duties are to flow.
Then Jesus offers a second answer to the scribe’s first question: Love of neighbor ought to be in second place.
The simple truth of this one-two holy order requires my own ongoing self-examination: Who holds first place in my life? Who is second? What do I need to change?
What are the words to the Shema prayer?
Hi Gary, the Shema prayer acknowledges the Unity of God, gives God praise and remember "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the Lord your God." You can read more in Numbers 15: 37-41. The other one is found in Deuteronomy 6: 4 "Hear O Israel, the Lord is one." You can read more from Deuteronomy 6: 1 - 9 I pray that this is helpful.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9, “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts...
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Pat I wish I could make everyone in this world hear these words and live them each day! Thank you for taking the time to share your inspirational words. Blessings to all the LFF, especially those with extra needs these days. May the Holy Spirit fill the hearts of all and guide us to feel Gods love and do his will.
Amen. :)
Amen Amen Amen ????????????
Why do these two commandments have to be in that particular order? First love God first and then love others? *** Is there a difference between loving others first and loving God first? *** Even those who don’t believe in God knows how to love others first in Matthew 5:46-47, “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Even the tax collectors do that. If you greet only your own people, what more are you doing than others? Even people who are ungodly do that!” *** Even sinners know how to love others first in Luke 6:32-34,...
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AMEN!
Amen... thank you Lord, over and over
Amen!
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I love the fact that Jesus sums up the 10 commandments in just two commandments that way I don't have to remember all 10. He takes the first five commandments listed in Exodus 20 all about God and sums it up by saying, "Love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind." (I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt, make no images of me, do not misuse my name, remember the sabbath day) Then he says, "Love your neighbor as you do yourself." (6-10 of the commandments: Honor Mother and Father, do...
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