December 27, 2024

I John 5.3 (NIV)

His commands are not burdensome.

His laws are not unreasonable; the duties which he requires are not beyond our ability; his government is not oppressive.*

When the Pharisees asked Jesus what was the greatest commandment, they were hoping to trick him into saying something they could use against him. He answered their trick question with a “trick answer” – he named the two greatest commandments: Love God and love your neighbor (Matthew 22.37-39). And then he added, “All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22.40)

So whatever else Jesus may have commanded us; whatever Paul and James and Peter were inspired to write; and of all the laws of the Old Testament era – would we need any of those words if we knew what “love God and love your neighbor” looked like? And yet, Jesus has shown us clearly what it looks like: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” (I John 3.16)

There is no doubt that trying to keep the commandments in the law was burdensome - lots of stuff to remember and do; but Jesus came and simplified the rules. As a single mother, caring for my twin toddler boys was – shall we say, challenging? – but never burdensome. Loving God should be even less so.  Look how he loved us!

If you maintain these two top priorities – love God and love others – they will guide you in setting all the other priorities in your life.*