– Deut 6:4-5
From the 613 total commandments that complex the lives of the Jews, an expert in the law asked Jesus which one is the greatest commandment. I think Jesus answered the question like any good Jew would. The Jews have a practice that captures me. The Shema is recited every morning, during morning blessings, throughout prayer services, when the Torah is brought out, at holidays, as a bedtime prayer, as part of the deathbed confessional, and various other times. The first part of the Shema is the answer that Jesus gave as the greatest command, Deuteronomy 6:4-5.
To love God is not just to have good feelings about Him or to keep a list of prescribed rules. I’ve known many people who have lived out this view of love toward God. We discussed this in class this past Wednesday night and I really like how Dustin Deal put it. “When you love God with all that you are it simply pours out of you.” To love God is to give Him your all…everything you’ve got – your mind, spirit, body, time, service, allegiance, dedication, passion, stuff, money, time, and on and on and on.
The Jews repeat this passage over and over throughout the day and throughout their lives as a reminder of the very basis of their beliefs: “That the LORD our God, the LORD is one.” The theme of Winterfest this weekend is “Love God – Love Others” based on this passage. Our teens will be challenged to live out this command in their lives. I want to leave us with the question…and challenge…if we focused throughout the day on Deuteronomy 6:4-5, how would our lives change?
1 comment:
Dude, once again, awesome post. I really struggle with just trying to keep a list of rules. Thank you for the challenge. Hope Winterfest is wonderful for you.
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