Nougat 11

While reflecting on this series on the Ten Commandments, my friends and I noted that there were some concepts that weren’t included. We agreed that they were either among the other 603 laws or were assumed into what we do know. Whatever the case, we felt sure that they were addressed.

While ours was mere curiosity, other persons wished to validate their sense of superiority over others. When the Pharisees and teachers of the Law approached Y’shua about the Commandments, they probably had ulterior motives. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat for example.

Matthew 22:36-37 NLT

[36] “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”

[37] Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’

The Greatest Commandment

In their defence, after being exiled, losing all their glory, and living under Pax Romana, the various religious sects were probably keen on law and order. It was the only manageable variable in their world. They were devout – trying to win God’s favour. Y’shua would have presented as too radical for them. Moreover, He didn’t fit the ‘look’ of a Messiah (Y’shua, that is).

Their question about the greatest commandment was understandable under the circumstances. A bit obnoxious, nevertheless, their diligence was commendable. If you were Y’shua, how would you react? I suppose I would have dismissed them.

Self-Check

How do we respond to unnecessary testing and provocation?

Application

But Y’shua didn’t dismiss them.

He validated them by responding, although He challenged them. Y’shua stated the obvious: You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. erm … It wasn’t quite the familiar wording of the Decalogue (Ten Laws), as it seemed to emphasise the extent of love one should have toward God.

How would that work?

If, as is commonly believed, humans are tripartite beings, the three parts are: body, spirit, and soul. Yet Y’shua asked for love with heart, not body. Could God prefer affection to duty? To love God with our hearts would have challenged the Pharisaic rigour of somewhat empty rituals. We are called to love God as a response to God’s love for us. A love manifested in the birth of Christ – God made flesh – to redeem us from eternal damnation. That ought to be an emotional response beyond duty and manipulation.

In turn, we may find ourselves drawn more to God, as Spirit communes with spirit. That, for me, is loving God with our soul. It involves yielding to God, God’s Spirit, and God’s will for our lives, recognising that God’s love accompanies us everywhere so we can submit to God.

To do that, rather, to love God to that degree means we know God. Our minds must then be consumed with knowing God. Or, as David says, we delight in God’s word and meditate on it day and night (Psalm 1). Does it sound closer to Paul’s premise in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, that we pray without ceasing? Yes, but it genuinely asks that we search the scriptures to learn more about God, and spend time in prayer. Then our bodies, souls, and spirits will be fully engaged in loving God.

That’s what loving God means.

Assignment

Do we desire to deepen the love we have for God? Let’s intentionally spend more time together (with God).

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May all we seek be found in Christ