There’s a thing we miss about the great commandment: to love God and our neighbors as ourselves. And that is that we are made of love.
We are created by and for love
Proper 25A | Matthew 22:34-46
Can you imagine what that must feel like? Standing in the portico of the holiest site on earth. Among the most devoted people of faith in the world.
And knowing some of them want you dead.
Of course, this isn’t a Mission Impossible movie. There is no action scene to get us out of it.
We’re just standing there. Feeling the pressure of thousands of eyes and ears waiting for something to happen. To be said.
And they’ve all taken a turn at us. Temple leaders, scribes, the Pharisees’ disciples, and Sadducees have all tried to trip up Jesus. To trap him in heresy. Into convicting himself. Into signing his own death warrant.
Or…
Humiliation. Hypocrisy. Taking himself off the board. By saying God won’t provide.
Imagine standing there through this and then seeing the Pharisees crowd together. And the Pharisees: these are the most dangerous opponents because they’re also the most sincere. And from them, a lawyer, offers the question at the heart of everything.
And in response, Jesus says “Love”…
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