Dillon Community Church

“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’” (Matt 22:34-40).

As I continue to age and watch the world in which I live, it seems increasingly obvious to me that at the core of the many frustrations, pains, conflicts, and wars is the question of what it means to be human. And I find it interesting that Jesus, when he was being challenged by a Pharisees about which was the greatest or perhaps the most fundamental commandment, pointed to the commandment out of Deuteronomy to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all you soul and with all your mind.” Basically, he is saying that at the core of what it means to be human is to be a created being and that as we go about being human, in everything we do, we are to recognize that we have been fashioned by the Lord.

As it says in the Proverbs, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Pr.9:10). Jesus then adds to this by also stating that to “Love your neighbor as yourself” is part and parcel of this most fundamental commandment. In essence saying that to be human is to know that we are created beings, created for a purpose; namely, to love. Whom do we love? Whoever the Lord sees fit to bring into our little worlds. Do you want to give someone one of the greatest gifts of all? Help them to see and understand what it truly means to be human by doing your best to follow these two great commandments. And if you’re having problems doing that, ask the Lord for help. I believe the Lord relishes the opportunity to bless his children with the gift of wisdom and understanding, grace and love, desire and ability. Merry Christmas!

Rob Schmidt, pastor