The month of February is coming to a close for another year. Many have long since forgotten those thoughts of love so prevalent in the first fourteen days of the month. Yet, those of us who have been on this 28 Day journey have intentionally kept ourselves focused on the Biblical concept of true love. Our attention focused on “The Love Chapter” where we learned that Love Must Be Our Priority, Love Must Be Practiced, and Love Must Be Permanent. Having examined this glorious chapter on love, let us now turn our attention to consider the words of our Lord while He was here on earth.
Jesus said to him, ” ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ “This is the first and great commandment. “And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
While Jesus’ ministry was well received by the people, the religious leaders were increasingly jealous of the Lord. They wanted to catch Him in His words and embarrass Him in front of the people. In Matthew chapter twenty-two various leaders made attempts to ask Jesus difficult questions, hoping to at least cause a stir. First they asked Him about paying taxes. His answer confounded them. Next they asked Jesus about the Resurrection, an issue that the leaders themselves did not agree upon. Once again, Jesus left them stunned with His wisdom. Finally, they attempted to cause a fuss when then asked Him, “what is the greatest commandment?” Jesus’ response not only ended their inquiry, but stands as an appropriate text for our consideration on this final day of our 28 Days of Love.
Having gained a thorough understanding of what real love is all about over the last 27 days, today we focus on where our love should be focused. Jesus said, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” First and foremost our love should be directed at God. He loves us with an everlasting love. His love will never fail. Nothing can separate us from His love. The only proper response to His amazing love is that we love Him more than we love ourselves. We should love Him completely. Notice Jesus words again. We should love God with all our emotion, all our intellect, and all our will. We should love Him with all that we are and all that we have. This is the first and greatest command.
Jesus then turns to the second command, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” That one statement summarizes all we have been learning in 1 Corinthians 13. We are to love others as if we are loving ourselves. What a contrast to the world around us. While worldly wisdom says, “love yourself, watch out for number one, and put yourself first”; Jesus speaks and tells us to love others just as much as we love ourselves. In fact, in John chapter fifteen He said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down his life for his friend.”[1] The fact is we are to reflect God’s sacrificial love. Jesus sacrificed Himself for us, we should be willing to sacrifice for others.
As this month of love comes to a close, take a few minutes today and evaluate your own love. Now that we really have a better handle on what love is, it is time to ask the hard questions of ourselves. “Do I really love God with all my heart, all my soul, and all my mind?” “Do I really love my neighbor as myself?” Only you and God know the answer to those questions. Why don’t you take some time today and talk with God about it? Ask Him to help you to truly love, not only on February 14th, but every day of your life.
Be watching for a new devotional series beginning next week.
[1] John 15:13
Walking by Faith 