The Greatest Commandment

 “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. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”Matthew 22:36-40

Today is Palm Sunday, the day we celebrate Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. As Jesus entered,  

"A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna[b] to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[c]

“Hosanna[d] in the highest heaven!”

10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.""

Matthew 21:8-11

Jesus knew what was coming next; he knew what would happen during that week's time. Regardless, he kept teaching. 

Right now, we live in a time none of us probably expected or planned out for our lives. After weeks of what people call restrictions on our lives, we are starting to long for things we once took for granted. For some, this time is changing us, not in a bitter, resentful way, but in a way that allows God to lead. 

For others, the focus might still be on what God can do for us, on God saving us. People telling or begging him to do this or to do that. 

The huge piece that's missing in all of the asking is that God already has saved us. This, too, is being used for His purpose. There is so much in the book of Matthew, as we follow Jesus through Holy week, so much wisdom and also warning that God gives all of us. 

This week, take the time to allow God's words to pierce your mind, heart and soul and follow Him through Holy week. Get into the Gospel and follow Him. He is giving us this time to do just that. He doesn't want us sitting here complaining about being bored or fretting about things He has already overcome. The Lord wants us to love Him with ALL of our hearts, souls and minds (Matthew 22:37). 

That scripture alone is enough to get us thinking for a good part of the day. Are we loving him with ALL of our hearts, souls and minds? What do we place our thoughts on (the majority of the day)? What do we feed our hearts, souls and minds the majority of the day? I can honestly say, I am at fault and need to do better. 

I love the Lord with everything in me and I can do better. He has willingly given up everything for all of us. Willingly, knowingly, with everything in Him.

During Holy week, the Lord continues to warn us, over and over again of the cost of living for anyone or anything other than Him. He warned and continues to warn us. All the while, people don't listen, even those claiming to be His disciples (and He points this out, too, several times). Some who claim to follow Him, to know Him, do nothing or very little He has asked of them. 

Doing good is good, but it isn't what He really asks of us. He asks us to follow Him; to deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24).

As we get further into Holy Week and read the Parable of the Wedding Banquet, he explains this very thing in another way. He invites us all in, but we can't fake it. We can't plan out our own lives, never consulting the Lord and call that following Him, just because we have done some good. So he warns and warns and warns some more. Even as people spit in His face, defile His name and eventually crucify Him. He loves far beyond that.

What does He ask in return? Love Him with all of our hearts, souls and minds. We can do this.

He is our Father, our instructor, our only provider and redeemer. Let us love Him with everything in us--with our hearts, souls and minds. We need to lay this world down for Him. 

Are we still sleeping? Do we need more time? Thank God for all of the time He has given us, but the time is now.