Jesus was teaching about the resurrection of the dead, “…have you not read what God said to you, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead BUT OF THE LIVING.” When the crowds heard this, THEY WERE ASTONISHED at his teaching.” (Matt. 22:31-33) Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, TESTED JESUS with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘LOVE the Lord your God with ALL your HEART, SOUL AND MIND.’ This is the FIRST AND GREATEST commandment. And the second is like it: ‘LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR as yourself.’ ALL the LAW and the PROPHETS 1HANG ON these two commandments.” (Matt. 22:34-40) 1kremannumi: to be suspended on or to be held up by. The only way the rest of the law will have any meaning is to understand these first two love commandments.
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love DOES NOT KNOW GOD, for GOD IS LOVE…Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4:7-8, 11) And remember this, “There is NO FEAR in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because HE FIRST LOVED US.” (1 John 4:18-19)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham