August 25, 2003
I have watched again the continuing squabbles about the posting of the biblical 10 commandments with a deep concern. Not that they might be removed but rather that we retreat into the do's and do not's of the Old Testament and forget the open ended embracing of our fellow man required by Jesus in his great commandment. As recorded In John 13:34 Jesus tells "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also shall love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." I have called this, Jesus' challenge. Further, if this word love seems too nebulous and undefined let me say it this way, wanting and doing the best for the other person, no matter what that person does to you. Leviticus 19:18 states it more simply, "love your neighbor as yourself." If we think of our neighbor with our modern global worldview as encompassing all the people in the world we again define the love of Jesus.
It is insightful to read the exchange between the lawyer, a Pharisee, and Jesus as recorded in Matthew 22:36f first the question and then the response. "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest." And then "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 greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
Want the best for the other person, or treat your neighbor as you would treat yourself. These define and clarify I believe what Jesus means by his challenge to love.
Help us work this all out at First Baptist if you wish.
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