What Is the Greatest Commandment?

Read

Matthew 22:36-39 "’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. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Think

Rules are easier than relationships. The Pharisees built their lives around hundreds of laws, believing strict obedience would make them righteous. So when one of them asked Jesus, “Which is the greatest commandment?” it wasn’t just curiosity—it was a test. Would he elevate one law over another? Would he say something controversial?

Jesus didn’t hesitate. He cut through all the noise and went straight to the heart of it: love. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. And love your neighbor as yourself. In one statement, he shifted the focus from rule-following to relationship—from outward performance to inward transformation.

Loving God with everything isn’t about checking religious boxes. It’s about devotion, a love that shapes our choices, our thoughts, our entire lives. But Jesus didn’t stop there—he immediately connected love for God with love for people. And that’s where it gets real. It’s easy to love God in theory, but loving people—especially difficult ones—can feel impossible. Yet, he calls us to love not just when it’s convenient, but in the same way we love ourselves—with patience, grace, and care.

D.L. Moody once said, “The world does not understand theology or dogma, but it understands love and sympathy.” That’s what Jesus was saying. We can have all the right beliefs, do all the right things, but if we aren’t driven by love, we’re missing the point.

Ask yourself, is love the foundation of my life? Am I loving God with my whole heart, and is that love overflowing to the people around me? Because when we truly love God, love changes everything.

Apply

Show love in action. Think of one person you can intentionally love today—a friend, coworker, or even a difficult person. Send an encouraging text, offer to help, or simply listen without distraction.

Pray

Jesus, help me to love you with all my heart, soul, and mind, and let that love overflow into how I treat others. Teach me to see people through your eyes, showing grace, patience, and kindness even when it’s difficult. Let my life reflect your love in both my words and actions. In your name. Amen.