Published: 19/05/2020
Jesus' Twin Commandments: A Divine Correlation
In the previous article, we have explored how Jesus’ first and greatest commandment and God’s First three commandments of ten commandments are exactly the same.
After delivering His first commandment, Jesus delivers the next, as recorded in scripture:
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:39, NIV)
It is interesting to note that before delivering the second commandment, Jesus weighs it value exactly similar to His first commandment, which is greatest, as recorded in scripture:
‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ (Matthew 22:37, NIV)
In essence, Jesus' two commandments are identical, with no difference between them, as recorded at biblical verses (Matthew 22:37 and 39, NIV). Therefore, Jesus after delivering His first commandment, declares:
This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbours as yourself. (Matthew 22:38-39, NIV)
Jesus declares His first commandment, greatest, and declares the second commandment comparing it equal to the first one. The second commandment is equally great as the first one. In the first one, Jesus commands humanity to love God, the creator, unwaveringly, and in the second one, He commands to love neighbours unwaveringly, as we love ourselves. Consequently, unwavering love to God is only possible, when love our neighbour unwavering. This implies that if we love God, but do not love our neighbours, our love becomes unacceptable to God. This leads to the conclusion that if we wish to love God, we need to express to Him our love for neighbours.
The Altar of Reconciliation: A Lesson in Loving Neighbours
Therefore, God sent back the person, who had come to the temple to express his love for God, to first love his neighbour and then come back..., as recorded in scripture:
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23-24, NIV)
Indeed, the first commandment is identical to the second one. Therefore, the gift offeror must be reconciled with their neighbour or brother, who is God's child.
This confirms that Jesus commands humanity to love their neighbours, emphasizing that our love for God is tightly coupled with our love for others.
The Measure of Loving God is Loving Our Neighbours:
The measure of our love, loyalty, reverence and devotion to God, depends on our love for the neighbours. Our love, loyalty, reverence and devotion to God will only be acceptable to Him, if we love His children, the creation of His hands, that reflects His love for them. Whoever, we come across in life journey are all His children, our neighbours. Therefore, to express our love, loyalty, reverence and devotion, we must one hundred percent abstain from committing sin or transgression against our neighbours, as mentioned in scripture:
Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided. (Proverbs 16:6, NIV)
To be Continued…..
==> Stay tuned for our next article, where we'll uncover how 'Loving Neighbours: A Measure of Loving God’ that transforms our faith journey.
Amen!
Praise be to God, Thanks be to God.
Not being Unrighteous is Religion!!
India! Peace be upon you!!
Peace to the whole world!!