Love the Center // Matthew 22:37-39

Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV) | 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.

What is at your center, your core? Today’s passage is one that’s shown up several times recently. These two Commandments, which Jesus referred to as The Greatest, point to love. They come from The Shema, which is a prayer central to the Jewish faith. Jesus used those words for The Greatest Commandment, because He wanted love of God to be central to our lives, lived out in relationship with others. I love how this was echoed by the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:9-10, “Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle” (MSG). So, as we kick off this Monday morning, let’s make sure love is at the center of who we are; especially since God is love (1 John 4:8)! Then, allow that love to emanate from you, being a good friend who loves deeply.

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