By: Austin Teegarden
“28 One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him, there is no other’; 33 and ‘to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself’—this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that, no one dared to ask him any question.” -Mark 12:28-34
In English, the word love can mean many things. It can mean the feeling shared between romantic partners, siblings, children and parents, friends, and other family members. Yet, we attribute all those different versions of love to one word. The Greek language was much more inclusive of their use of the idea of love. Instead of trying to capture the complex concept of love in a single word, they provided many words to capture this feeling. So, this morning I want to focus on one word, Agape.
This word means self-sacrificing love, a love that requires nothing in return, an unquestioned love. It is most often attributed in the Bible to God’s love for us. In this passage, the word is used to describe our love for God and our love for our neighbor. Jesus is quoting Hebrew scripture in this passage. He quotes Deuteronomy 6:4 and sums up Leviticus 19:9-18. He is pointing the hearers of his word to the scriptures, which they already know.
It is because of this that Jesus reminds us of the love that we are supposed to show God and each other. We are to give each other a self-sacrificing love that doesn’t ask for anything in return. A love that is never brought into question. When we embrace this love, we are closest to the kingdom of God.
As you go into your Christmas celebrations, remember this love. Remember that God calls us to love God and love our neighbor. Extend that love to all those around you.
Let us Pray
Loving God,
We thank you that you are indeed a God who loves us
We ask that you help us love each other as you have loved us.
Empower us to extend your Grace and Love to all those around us
In Jesus’ Name, we pray
Amen
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