Thursday, March 5

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"

"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 12:28-31)


In this passage above, Jesus reiterates the two Greatest Commandments: loving God and loving others. Paul comments in Romans 13:10 and Galatians 5:14 that love brings forth fulfillment of the law; that is, by acting in love, we honor God's will.

These commands are clear enough to understand but challenging to carry out. We find the world overwhelmed with negativity, doubt, frustration, anger, striving, and chaos. Psychology explains that, naturally, those who have not experienced love from others will struggle to give it to others; we cannot model what we have not seen modeled.

Yet, in our relationship with God, we have the ultimate model of love, mercy, and grace. Romans 5:8 tells us: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Jesus explained in John 15:13: "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." Jesus shared this truth just before giving His life for His friends on the Cross, hours later.

Importantly, whenever we consider the Cross or anything that God has done on our behalf, we see clearly that love demands action. 1 John 3:16-18 summarizes: "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."

How can we demonstrate God's love to this hurting world? I recommend starting by connecting with God each day. We cannot give out of emptiness; rather, we need fullness of love from having connected with God. We may read God's Word for guidance and encouragement, and we seek God in prayer. We may even pray, "Lord, help me to demonstrate Your love to those around me today. Give me opportunities to shine forth in a dark place." We may then consider the question: "How may I serve here? What would make a difference?" (cf. Philippians 2:1-4) Ultimately, love comes forth from intention, as an act of the will. In this way, the love of God comes to us, and we reflect His love back to Him and to others as an expression of gratitude.

Whom could you love today? How could grow more in your love for God?


Lord God, thank You that we never need doubt Your love. You have so clearly demonstrated Your love for us on the Cross. Give us spiritual eyes to see the depth, breadth, and height of Your love. Open doors so that we may bless and love others, to Your honor and glory. Purify our hearts of any misguided motives. Help us to put others ahead of ourselves. We love You and seek You this day. In Jesus's Name, amen.


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