A religious leader approaches Jesus asking a rather pointed question–‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment…?’ (Matt. 22:36). Without a moment’s hesitation, Jesus says this–‘…You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment’ (Matt. 22:38).
Here’s my question–how can you command love? Love me or else? Doesn’t quite cut the mustard. Not in our culture, where love is voluntary. A choice to make. A reaction to someone or something that grabs our hearts and minds in the most positive ways. I love my wife. My sons. Our precious grandchildren. My brother and sister. Our church family. Don’t have to force the issue when I say that I love them.
Why do I love my wife? Let me count the ways. My first impression of Sue was her kindness. She was exactly that then and still is. I love her for many more reasons as well. But no one had to command me to love her. That wasn’t necessary. The more I got to know my wife, the more I loved her. And still do. Even more so.
The same with Jesus. The more I know Him, the more I can’t help but fall deeper in love with my Lord and Savior. All the hints God gives in the Old Testament foresee the coming deliverer. The One from God who would also be God in the flesh. Whose humble beginnings were in that little town of Bethlehem. Jesus’ stories, called parables, capture imaginations two millennia later. His healings and miracles reveal someone much more than mortal man. And finally, how misunderstood and mistreated He was by those who should have known better. They did know but turned their backs on Him anyway. Nevertheless, He died for all who place their hope and trust in Him. How could we not love Jesus?
I remember when I first heard about my Savior’s love for me. I’d never heard even a whisper of that in the church I attended. Had no idea that Jesus knew I existed until one Sunday evening when I heard Billy Graham speak on his radio program, ‘The Hour of Decision’. That was my hour when I decided to trust Jesus.
How He’s changed me. Challenged me to be less fearful. More giving and loving. And best of all, since I know myself better than anyone else, His forgiveness. How I need that…past, present, and future! And He gives me what I need. Not only for me. You too?
Heaven awaits at some unknown time. I used to stupidly say that ‘heaven is my home, but I’m not homesick.’ Well, I’ve changed that tune, big-time. For I still want to do what the Lord wants me to do here and now, spending good times with family and church, but to be with Him then and there, well, won’t that be heavenly? Just out of this world!
You see–I love Jesus. And I know what He means about commanding love. That the longer I know Him, the more love I’ll have for Him. It flows from my heart because of who He is. Those of us who know Him can’t help but love Him!
Lord Jesus, I love you and thank you for all you mean to me. Amen.
