WATCHWORD:
The Greatest Commandment
34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 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.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:34-40
Meditation:
The Purpose of Life
What is the purpose of life? More to the point, what is my purpose in God’s plan?
I don’t know if in our modern day thinking we can fully understand the question of purpose, and the one that follows: what is my purpose? My mission in this life?
In my digging into scripture, I could not find where Christ provided a direct answer to that question. However, he did provide us with a direction for how we are to apply the gifts and graces that God has given us; our vitality, the circle of loved ones around us, and the talents with which we are endowed. He also responded to those who knew in their hearts that this life that we are living was transitory and incomplete and he offered ways to bring value and texture onto that blank canvas of our lives.
The Pharisees were sneaky fellows, always trying to trip up Jesus. But in my mind, even their treachery, revealed a rather deep well of insecurity. Jesus answered their question about the greatest commandment, by giving them much more than they/we asked.
At the heart of what Jesus said were two main principles of living, on which all true morality, wisdom, and faith depend. Jesus’ answer had two parts: First, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the invisible and faith part; our belief, the spiritual aspect of our commitment to the Lord.
Then Jesus said, the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Meaning love others, friends and strangers alike, and in the same way that we care for and love ourselves. That is a big order, but Jesus tells us if we would follow these commandments, we would be in harmony with the purpose of life, and therefore, we would find our purpose, our mission.
Here is the ‘catch’: You cannot embrace the Second Commandment: Loving others without fully embracing the Greatest Commandment: Loving God. And, you cannot fully embrace loving God without fully embracing the Commandment to love others, your ‘neighbor’.
So, what is the purpose of life? Loving God and loving others. What is my purpose, my mission in life? Loving God and loving others. It is simple and easy, and yet complicated and, often times, difficult.
Be at peace, our faith tells us that God has something good in store for us. We don’t believe that God’s intention is for us to live a life of drudgery. When we love God and others we find out something very special: the realization that God loves us, and therein is the joy of the Lord.
In Psalm 63:7, David said, “…for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.” Jesus has given us the way to that place; where, instead of wandering aimlessly through life, you’re actually singing for joy, in the love of the Lord. Amen.
Revealing:
Hint #1 – What would you think if you saw someone walking on the waters of Wawasee Lake? After the shock and fear, you might think Jesus’ ministry and His walking on the Sea of Galilee to meet the fear of his disciples, and us.
Hint #2 – An amazing time. A stranger visits your town and people are changed? That would be Jesus and the woman at the Well, when He spends two days teaching in her village.
Hint #3 – “Go and do likewise”. This, of course, was Jesus’ answer the question ‘Who is my neighbor’, in the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
The Inn on Jericho Road is the best book I have written with the Lord. It is about to be published and released by the publisher later this autumn. The Inn on Jericho Road has been written, changed, edited, rewritten and changed again and again over a seven year period. I believe you will find it more than an engaging story. It is also one that will inform you of the context of the Biblical facts of Jesus’ ministry. I think you will find the Chronology of Jesus and the Map of the Holy Land helpful resources in your own studies.
If you would like an advanced summary of the book and details on ordering, text me at 1-260-578-2519, or e-mail your request to bosworthescott@gmail.com. Watch this space for further details. Stan Escott
Closing Prayer:
Lord, I don’t know what You know. I see the world and my own life with all-too-human eyes, and I miss the wider perspective. But You see all things, and You know Your ultimate purpose for my life. Guide my steps, my thoughts, my decisions, and my life so that it all points to You and Your plan. Let me not fear making a decision, for I know that if it is not Your will, I can trust that You will speak truth into my life and steer me back on track. Guide me today and every day Lord, helping me remember with every breath I take that my job is to align myself with You. Amen.
