SUMMARY:
Some spiritual leaders came to Jesus and asked him what he considered to be the greatest commandment in the Law. Jesus didn’t hesitate to answer, and what he said gives us the framework for life and relationships.
Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Love God, love people, love yourself. Simple. According to Jesus, this is the key to life.
What Jesus was saying about relationships
Jesus’ statement was first about love – and that’s a relational word. God is a relational being, and humans are created in his image to be relational as well. People matter to God – more than rules, more than stuff, more than anything in this world. Everything you need to know about life is wrapped up in this simple word: Love.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
What Jesus was saying about priorities
Jesus’ statement was also about priorities. He was teaching that there’s a natural pecking order to things, and it all starts with God. Loving and pursuing God and his will comes first, and when you’ve got that in order you can love your neighbor properly. And implied in the verse is a final command: love yourself. Life works best when you have all three of these elements: loving God, loving others and loving yourself – in that order of priority. The world flips this framework upside down, encouraging people to follow their heart first (love yourself) as long as it doesn’t hurt others (love your neighbor).
What this looks like in the real world
So what does it mean to love God, people and yourself in everyday life? In marriage it means a husband submits to God and sacrifices for his wife, putting her needs above his own. In cultural issues it means a Christian stands by God’s truth even when it goes against the popular opinion of the day. In society it gives a basis for morality (love God), along with its boundaries (love others) while affirming individual benefits and the pursuit of happiness (love yourself).
TALK ABOUT IT:
- Set Up: Watch the video together or invite someone to summarize the topic.
- What’s the greatest advice you’ve ever heard? What’s the greatest advice you’ve ever given?
- List some of the rules you grew up with. How are rules helpful for life? When are they not so helpful?
- Read Matthew 22:37-40. Which one comes more naturally for you: to love God, others, or yourself? Explain.
- Explain how loving God can make a person better. Try to give specific examples.
- Make a list of the problems that come with a “me first” mentality.
- How is belief in a loving God good for society?
- Takeaway: Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
