A Light for My Path

In Matthew chapter 22, a group of Pharisees tried to trip Jesus up in his knowledge of Jewish law as spoken by God to Moses and documented in the Torah. They asked Jesus what was the single greatest commandment in the law. Jesus immediately responded that the first and greatest commandment is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. And the second greatest law is to love your neighbor as yourself.” Everything else hangs on these two laws. (Matthew 22:34-40)

In Paul’s letter to the congregation of the Christian church in Rome (Romans 13:8-10) he reiterated Jesus’s words. Paul was a Pharisee himself and deeply schooled in Jewish law as well as a believer in Jesus as the Messiah. His phrasing was perhaps chosen specifically to mirror that of Jesus.

Paul explains that we shouldn’t let our obligations remain unmet. We should fulfill our debts to others. But, there is a never-ending obligation to love one another. If we truly love others then we have fulfilled God’s law. He says, “The commandments against adultery, murder, theft, envy, and the others, are summed up in this one command: ‘love your neighbor as yourself’.’’ Love is the ultimate and ongoing fulfillment of the law.

Valentine’s Day is just past us for another year. It’s hard to ignore the ads online and on TV reminding (mostly) men of their obligation to spoil their sweetheart. Many of us may have a vase of roses starting to wilt or an empty candy box going out with the trash. The sentiments are sweet and it’s nice to be treated to a special dinner and a glass of champagne.

But, these are superficial displays of affection. They do not come close to exemplifying the true obligation – the Command – to love. Thinking of LOVE as something we are required, commanded, obligated to do kinda takes the romance out of it, doesn’t it?

Those of us of a certain age may remember a movie called “Love Story.” It was a hugely successful tear-jerker and made big stars out of the lead actor and actress. A tagline that became famous from the movie was “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” And, perhaps that’s a secular way of saying love “keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Corinthians 13:5)

But, love is bigger than that. We are supposed to love God with everything that makes us human: our heart, our soul, and our mind. If we love God in this way, we will love ourselves because we are His creation. And, if we love ourselves, then we must love other human beings in the same way. That means apologizing when we have hurt someone. It means treating others with respect even if we disagree with their way of life, their political affiliation, their form of worship, or the way they dress. It means going so far as to be willing to sacrifice our life for the lives of others (John 15:13).

It’s a bit daunting isn’t it?

But, love is not small. Love is not something to be taken lightly. Love is not something to be taken for granted. God has freely given us so many blessings: grace, mercy, forgiveness, salvation. All out of His love for us. So, why shouldn’t we be obliged to share those blessings with others? Not just certain others. Everyone.

---

Laura