July 28

Matthew 22:36-40

"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?"  And He said to him, "'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 foremost commandment.  The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'  On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." (NASB)

The two greatest instructions of God are based on a reality all of us should understand.  This example is based on two spouses who genuinely love each other.  One spouse acts as the other spouse wishes, not because of understanding, but because of love.  I hear poorly.  My ears “ring” loudly 24 hours a day 7 days a week.  I do not like silence!  All I hear is an annoying “ringing.”

In contrast, an ear specialist once told my wife that she hears so well that she could hear grass grow.  I constantly am amazed at how well she hears!  Our African nightwatch once told her she sleeps like a man, but I sleep like a woman—she hears everything; I hear nothing.  She loves silence!

As a result of my “ringing,” I frequently turn on something so there will not be silence.  I could not “estimate” how much meaningless sound she has endured simply so I would not hear “ringing.”  The person who loves silence endures noise because the person she loves hears “ringing.”

Do her ears “ring”?  No!  Is it possible for her to “know” that experience?  No—the best she can do is imagine the “ringing.”  Then why does she endure annoying noise?  She loves!

The same reality is illustrated in any love relationship—parent-child, best friends, etc.  In love relationships, inexperience acts because loves exists.  Love exceeds understanding.

Many times in our relationship with God we cannot understand.  Sometimes we have difficulty imagining!  In such moments, why do we obey?  Simple—because we love!  Love does not say—“Make me understand first!”  Love acts when it cannot understand!  Does that mean understanding is unimportant?  No!  It merely means love goes beyond understanding.

Suggestion for reflection: Consider the importance of love in obeying God.  (Read Philippians 3:7-11.)