Matthew 22:34–40 (ESV)
The Great Commandment
34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher,
which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is
the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
The Pharisees and the Sadducees have failed in their previous attempts to trap Jesus. Today, they try again. It says “And one of them, a lawyer…”
When we think of lawyer, this is correct… however we should look at this person as more of a biblical scholar. The Law was from the Bible. They want to know which of the Laws are the greatest. Jesus quotes to them “You shall
love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” The significance of his answer is that he has included the first 3 of the Ten Commandments which focuses on God. Then he gives them the second greatest
(they didn’t ask for it) “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The significance of this answers is that it includes the rest of the Ten Commandments. So in essence, he gives them all 10 of the Ten Commandments. Luther points
out that it is impossible to keep these. Luther writes: “But you may say: Oh, it is utterly impossible for a person to keep these two commandments. Yes, it is impossible for you to keep or perform them. You cannot do it; God must do it in you,
for him it is possible” (AE 51:104).”
I pray: “Living God, Your almighty power is made known chiefly in showing mercy and pity. Grant
us the fullness of Your grace to lay hold of Your promises and live forever in Your presence; through Jesus Christ.” Amen.