Rules That We Live By

I suppose that we all have certain rules in our lives that we live by. These rules may not just apply to us personally, but may also apply to others. If I asked you to choose the most important one of these, could you do that? What is your most important rule? It seems that the rules that we follow reveal what is important to us. A scribe, one versed in Jewish Law, once asked Jesus to identify the most important commandment. With over 600 laws including the Ten Commandments, rules on food hygiene, morality and rituals, Jesus, like us and our laws, had plenty to choose from. Jesus doesnʼt give just one, but two. First, love God. And second, love each other. Jesus links them together, meaning that these two laws canʼt really be separated, that they canʼt really be understood apart from each other. You canʼt love God, in other words, apart from loving each other. The best way to love God, is to love each other. The best way to honour God, is to honour each other. and the best way to be in relationship with God is to be in relationship with each other. Jesus demonstrated this to the utmost, giving his life for the other. When we realise this, we are, indeed, not far from the Kingdom of God. Prayer: Dear God, help us to see in the people all around us, your beloved children, our beloved brothers and sisters. and let us love them as you have loved us and, in this way, return your love.

In Jesusʼ name. Amen

Pastor Darryl