The Great Commandment

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 22:34-46. Jesus is asked the third and final question in a series of three questions intended to entangle him in his words and test him. After the Sadducees had been silenced, a lawyer of the Pharisees asked, "'Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?' And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets'" (Matthew 22:37-40). Jesus then asks the Pharisees a question about the sonship of the Messiah. Quoting from Psalm 110 Jesus asks, "If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?" (Matthew 22:45).

Jesus calls us to love God and love others and empowers this love in us through his life, death, and resurrection. He is the Son of David, and David’s Lord who lays down his life that we would love others as he has loved us.