May 29, 2020
Good afternoon,
" Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22: 34-40
This passage is near the end of Jesus' ministry with his disciples. It is after the parade into Jerusalem, and within a few days of his death. The question comes from the leaders of the faith, and they give it to one of the lawyers of the Torah to ask Jesus. I am one of the leaders. So, you might see the question coming from somewhere out there, but I see if coming from myself. I am a Sadducee or a Pharisee or a teacher of the Law. I have studied at Seminary, served with MCC and been a pastor of three churches. I am an insider. I think all of the parables of Jesus are directed at me as well. It is the leaders out of Jesus' own community that challenge him almost every day. What is God, through Jesus, saying to me ?
Jesus's answer to this ultimate question of life is right out of the Law, as set down in the first five books of the Old Testament. Worship God with all of your being, and make sure that your neighbour is taken care of with all of life's necessities . In the second part about loving your neighbour, you have to treat yourself well. Treat yourself with the respect that God has for you.
The religious leaders cannot get mad at Jesus for this set of statements . He is playing back what God has told them to be about. Maybe they were not doing it . We do not have their response in the text. They were trying to find something to prosecute Jesus with in court, either political or religious. During this final week of his life, they ask him many questions, and finally get him arrested.
What am I asking Jesus for these days ? I am not trying to catch him to arrest him, but what new/old things do I want to know ? What do I need to know to be a good leader in the community and church ? What do I need help from our Lord, during such a time as this ?
Prayer for Today
How do I love thee ? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth the breadth, the height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
for the ends of being, and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need by sun and candle-light ……. Elizabeth Barrett Browning ( 1806-1861 )
Fred Redekop
Pastor
Poole Mennonite
Ponder Anew 