The First Straight Answer

Scripture:
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.”
Matthew 22:35-40

Observation: The Jewish leaders have been trying to trap Jesus over and over again. They have asked many questions, posed by all among their ranks. Sometimes Jesus simply refused to answer their question. Most of the time he insults their lack of understanding about the law and their own teachings, and then answers them with scripture ... often then further clarifying the answer with a parable.

Then finally, one "expert in the law" tests him with a question. And Jesus ... provides an immediate, unqualified, unambiguous, definitive answer.

Application: There is only one reasons why Jesus answered this question - this is, in fact, a legitimate and scripturally sound question.

All the questions designed to trap and trick Jesus are invalid questions. They present an invalid hypothesis, twist a law, then ask a question. The questions about taxes, marriage, divorce, Sabbath, healing, authority ... they are all invalid questions. However, this expert tried to trick Jesus differently. He asked a direct question knowing there was a "right" answer AND that the question and answer were both scriptural AND that only an expert would know the answer. He expected Jesus to duck his question again. Instead, Jesus didn't hesitate - he answered.

And this is even stronger evidence that Jesus spoke the truth. This one answer not only addressed the question, but it also proved that Jesus wasn't just someone speaking in confusing riddles, metaphorical stories, and rote catch phrase. Jesus knew the heart of God! He knew that there was a "core" - a center - to the law, and that center is love. God loves us, and all he REALLY asks us to do is a) love him back, and b) love others, too.

I am once again shown that these are also the "work and service" to which we are commissioned. The 'work of God' is to love him through our purpose on earth. The 'service of Jesus' is to love others enough to baptize and teach them for eternal salvation.

Everything hangs on these two things.

Prayer: Abba, father, I love you with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength. My behavior doesn't always reflect that, but I'm working on that, and I know that I can only do that through your strength, and by your love, and with your spirit within me. I give to you the other cares of my life, so that I can only focus on you and how I can do your work, on your world, among your people, in the name of your son, for your glory.