The Gospel Series
The Gospel of the Greatest Commandment

Love God, Love People

Sunday April 6, 2025 - Pastor Jonathan Fung

Matthew 22:34-40

Theme: Love God, love people.

The primary command God intends to govern our lives is to walk in a love relationship with Him, not out of duty but delight.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus redefined "neighbor" to encompass anyone in need, regardless of their background or relationship to you, emphasizing that compassion and helping others are the core of loving your neighbor.

Matthew 22:34-40 provides us with a profound blueprint for Christian living. It teaches us that love is not an optional virtue but the very essence of our faith. In loving God and neighbor, we fulfill the law, embody the teachings of Jesus, and bear witness to the transformative power of divine love.

What does Matthew 22:34-40 mean?

Meaning and Explanation:

• 1. Context: The Pharisees were trying to challenge Jesus, and one of them, a lawyer (an expert in Jewish law), asked Him to identify the greatest commandment. This was not only a theological question but one intended to trap Him.
• 2. Jesus's Response: Jesus answered by quoting from the Old Testament, specifically from two key passages:
  1. Deuteronomy 6:5 - "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind" (which is the first and greatest commandment).
  2. Leviticus 19:18 - "Love your neighbor as yourself" (the second commandment, which Jesus says is like the first).

These two commandments are the foundation of all the moral and ethical teachings in the law.

• 3. "Love" as the Key Principle: The emphasis is on love. The first commandment highlights the importance of total devotion to God - loving Him fully with all your being. The second commandment underscores the need to love others as you love yourself, indicating that love for others is deeply connected to love for God.
• 4. The Law and Prophets: Jesus summarizes the entire Jewish law (which consists of commandments and teachings) by saying that they "hang on" or are based on these two commandments. In other words, every aspect of God's law, from the Ten Commandments to the prophetic messages, points back to these two principles of love.

Application:

1. Loving God fully means prioritizing Him above all else, dedicating one's heart, soul, and mind to Him.
2. Loving others involves treating them with the same care, respect, and value as you would want for yourself.
3. The Importance of Love: The passage emphasizes that love is not just a feeling but a command to be lived out in how we relate to both God and others. All the other commands (moral, ethical, and even spiritual) stem from these two principles of love.

In essence, these two commandments encapsulate the heart of the Christian life: love for God and love for others.

Challenge Question: Is your love for God reflected in how you treat others?

Personal Application: Do one intentional act of love this week for someone who might not expect it.