In order to prepare for Sunday, take some time to read Matthew 22:34-40 below. Do your best to place yourself in the shoes of the characters in the story? If you were a Jewish leader, how might you be feeling as you approach Jesus? If you are Jesus, what might be going through your mind as you are approached by the leaders? If you are watching as a disciple, how do you respond? If you are a non-Christian Jew, how do you process what is said?
Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your 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 hang on these two commandments."
The question this week leading up to our service this weekend is, "How do you best love God?"
Now this question may seem a little strange, but what we want to begin thinking about is how do we love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. If this is the greatest commandment, then we ought to be about doing this, right? In preparing for the teaching this weekend, I have read a lot about how loving God is important, but very little on how we do so.
I would really like to hear how you love God. What do you think it means to "love" God, anyway? If you are a man, how do you talk about loving God without coming off as a softy? If you are a woman, how do you express your love for God?
As always, comments and questions are welcomed.
Okay, I'll go first. To put it simply, to me, loving God is "like" having an imaginary friend that is with you where ever you are at that moment. You can 'think' a conversation with Him at any moment even during the middle of the night (He's not as busy then) knowing that He hears and cares about whatever is on my mind. I can ask questions and if I am paying attention, I can get the answers also. Loving God, to me is wanting to be with Him in thought all the time. (Sorry, forgot to set up my identity. Bev)
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