Love
Scripture Reading — Matthew 22:34-40
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart …’ And … ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Matthew 22:37-39
This month we’ve been talking about being transformed into the likeness of Christ. We’ve heard that Christ crucified is the secret of such change, because in his cross we see both God’s power and his wisdom. Today we turn to the last dimension of the wisdom of God demonstrated by the cross.
What is the central change God wants in our lives? So many of the changes we desire are important but not central to life: weight loss, better study habits, development of leadership skills, more peace of mind, even moral improvement. These are all good things, but they’re not the main thing.
The legal expert who questioned Jesus understood the main thing, and he wanted to know if Jesus knew. “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,” and “love your neighbor as yourself.” That’s the central change God wants in our lives, and it will make us like Jesus.
To keep these priorities straight in a world filled with choices, we must, with the Spirit’s help, keep our eyes on the cross, because at the center of the cross is the love of God. “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
O Love that will not let us go, we turn our longing eyes to you, as you suffered there on the cross in love for us. Amen.
About the author — Stanley Mast
Beginning in 1971, Rev. Stanley Mast has served churches in Missouri, Colorado, and Michigan. After teaching at Calvin Theological Seminary for a few years, he was the minister of preaching at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, until his retirement in 2012. Stan and his wife, Sharon, enjoy time with their two sons and five grandchildren.
Start your day with quick daily devotions.
See God's love, power, presence, and purpose in your life every day!