First and Second Commandments – Matthew 22:34-46

Having failed separately to discredit Jesus, the Pharisees and the Sadducees band together to take Jesus down.  That they would set aside their animosity for each other shows how vehemently they hated Jesus.  From this strange union a lawyer steps forward to test Jesus with the question “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”  Jesus responds with Deuteronomy 6:5 as the first and, as an unrequested bonus, gives Leviticus 19:18 as the second.  And the importance of these two commandments is unmistakable from Jesus’ conclusion “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”  This is another way of saying these two commandments are the centre of the whole Bible.  My love for God is to be with all, all, all my heart, my soul and my mind and I am to love my neighbour as I love myself (that is, watch out for my wellbeing and seek to protect myself – in this way I am to care for my neighbour).