Daily Devotional (GPS)
The Messiah Establishes God's Kingdom Through Love
Daily Scripture
Matthew 22:34-46
34 When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had left the Sadducees speechless, they met together. 35 One of them, a legal expert, tested him. 36 “Teacher, what is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 He replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being [Deuteronomy 6:5], and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: You must love your neighbor as you love yourself [Leviticus 19:18]. 40 All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”
41 Now as the Pharisees were gathering, Jesus asked them, 42 “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?”
“David’s son,” they replied.
43 He said, “Then how is it that David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, called him Lord when he said, 44 The Lord said to my lord, ‘Sit at my right side until I turn your enemies into your footstool’ [Psalm 110:1]? 45 If David calls him Lord, how can he be David’s son?” 46 Nobody was able to answer him. And from that day forward nobody dared to ask him anything.
Daily Reflection & Prayer
Scholar William Barclay noted that some rabbis said “there were lighter and weightier matters of the law… great principles which were all-important to grasp.” Others “held that every smallest principle was equally binding.” * Jesus clearly agreed with the first view—loving God and loving your neighbor are the greatest commandments. Similarly, Jesus’ final question taught the central truth of who he was. When people called him “Son of David,” expecting an earthly conqueror, Jesus pointed to Psalm 110:1, where David called the Messiah “Lord.” Barclay explained that Jesus meant, “It is not enough to call the Messiah Son of David…. You must go beyond that, for the Messiah is David’s Lord—meaning Son of God…. Messiahship is not to be thought of in terms of Davidic conquest, but in terms of divine and sacrificial love.” **
- Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” That doesn’t leave much out! Then he added from Leviticus 19: “You will love your neighbor as yourself.” How do these great commandments form the foundation for making choices based on God’s will in all areas of life? In what area of life do you particularly sense a need to apply the greatest commandments right now?
- Jesus’ question about Psalm 110 used an approach familiar to the rabbis of his day, but his point was much bigger than wordplay. As scholar Floyd Filson noted, “This passage shows Jesus declaring the freedom of the Messiah to establish the Kingdom by another path than the political and military methods of David.” *** Can you accept Jesus establishing God’s kingdom through the power of invincible love rather than through “might makes right”? What does this reveal about God’s character and methods?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, sometimes I want what I want so much that it’s hard to even think about what you want. Keep me growing in my willingness to live into your will—which, when I’m aware of what’s truly best for me, is ultimately what I want too. Amen.
GPS Insights
Brent Messick
Brent Messick, now retired, formerly served as Church of the Resurrection’s Managing Executive Director of Operations.
If I was ever to get a tattoo, it would prominently display this scripture verse. MTW 22: 37-40. This is my favorite Scripture verse.
I tend to simplify things, which makes me appreciate how Jesus summarized all of the laws and commands into two sentences. Brilliant. “Love God.” “Love your neighbor.” It is my understanding that there are over 600 laws and commands in the Bible, which are summarized by the 10 Commandments. I doubt that most of us can cite all 10 Commandments. But we can remember these two commandments as cited by Jesus.
I try to use this Scripture verse as a beacon to guide my life. In my prayers, I ask God to fill me with His love, and that I may love Him back “with all my heart, with all my being, and with all my mind.” And then I ask Him to help me “love my neighbor as I love myself.”
“Love God.” “Love your neighbor.” Even in the busyness of our lives, it is simple and easy to remember. I invite you to use Jesus’ two greatest commandments to guide your daily lives. It just feels right.
By the way, I am probably too old to start getting tattoos. But I will encourage my friends that have them to include this Scripture verse in their collection.
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Resurrection offers a free tool for those who wish to read the Bible daily. Our Grow/Pray/Study guide (GPS) provides a Bible reading, Scripture reflections based on the passage, inspirational quotes from leading Bible scholars, questions to help readers apply the Bible to their faith journey, and a daily prayer guide at the end of each day’s reflection. Many readers have told us the GPS has strengthened their spiritual growth and helped them better understand how to let the Bible guide them in Christian living.
