Written ~ 01-30-2024
Read Matthew Chapter Twenty-Two
Matthew 22
We have seen throughout the Book of Matthew so far, that the religious leaders did everything they could to try and trap Jesus with their questions, they wanted to find reason to arrest and kill Him. Chapter 22 is no different, Jesus continues from Chapter 21 with another parable in verses 22:1-14. Then in verses 22:15-22 the Pharisees send some of their disciples and supporters of Herod to Jesus to ask Him about paying taxes to Caesar. The only reason they went to Him was to see if they “could trap Jesus into saying something for which He could be arrested.” And guess what! It didn’t work! It would seem by now that the Pharisees would realize that the answers Jesus gave to their questions would always be in a surprising yet satisfactory manner, He was not going to be trapped. But they kept on trying. Chapter 22 continues with question after question.
So for today, we are going to look at the question they asked Jesus in verses 22:34-40…
34 But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees with His reply, they met together to question Him again. 35 One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap Him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”
37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Look at verse 22:34 again, “…when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees with His reply, they met together to question Him again…” They just didn’t get it did they? The Pharisees figured that if the Sadducees couldn’t trip Him up that they would give it a try. It seems this goes back and forth throughout the entire New Testament! Look at the question they came up with to trick Jesus, “…which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Sometimes, I really do wonder… what was the answer they were seeking in order to give them reason to arrest Him?
Jesus knew their intentions, so in these verses He used Scripture to back up His reply…
Verse 22:37, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)
Verse 22:39, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18)
And I love the reason Jesus gives for using those Scriptures for His answer, see verse 22:40, “The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
I think I can confidently say that this was a “mic drop” moment. But even still, in the last few verses of chapter 22, the Pharisees continue with their questioning.
Why do you think Jesus used those two Scripture references to answer the Pharisees question from verse 22:36? Jesus knew the hearts of the religious leaders. He knew they really didn’t love the Lord with all their hearts, souls and minds, plus, it’s quite evident in their behavior they did not love their neighbors. Jesus is not just challenging them with a simple answer to a question, He is giving a very poignant response to the condition of their hearts. I think this was a very strategic way for Jesus to convict their hearts! Whether or not it worked on those evil men, who knows… but hopefully some would come to believe that Jesus Christ was the Messiah and Son of God.
You and I, today, can also be given this response from Jesus. Have you ever questioned the Lord? Have you wondered if doing His will really would help you through your difficult situations? It seems simple enough to “Love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself.” But how often do we miss the point of what Jesus is trying to teach us in His Word?
The examination of our own hearts needs to be done on a daily basis. If we don’t rely on the Word of God each and every day, we can miss what the Lord is trying to teach us. Do you love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind? Prove it! Do you love your neighbors as yourself? Prove it!
Father God, help me to test my heart often with the answers Jesus gave to those Pharisees. Do I reveal in my actions that I love You Lord with all my heart, mind and soul? If I am falling short, please convict my heart so I can follow the first and greatest commandment and also heed to the second and equally important command to love my neighbors as I do myself. Thank You Father for the lessons we learn from Your Word.
~AMEN~