Hear and Love

And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:28-31)

Because of their concise and memorable language, creeds help us to teach, talk about and keep in mind important truths. In the Mark text above, Jesus cites the creed from Deuteronomy known as the “Shema” (“Hear” in Hebrew), which is still said or sung twice a day by observant Jews today. This is also God’s Word and creed for us today.

God calls us together at Zion so that we may hear His Word and respond in love to Him and neighbor. We are hearing God’s Word together at Zion, so let us consider how we may also respond in love as a congregation together. If you have thoughts about this, please let me know

In the “Shema” in Deuteronomy, the Lord instructs the people of Israel to teach, talk about, and be mindful of His Word, “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” (Deuteronomy 4:6-7). His Word is precious. As you hear it, ponder it, treasure it up in your hearts, teach it diligently to your children, talk about it in your home and wherever you are. 

As you love your neighbor, tell them what you hear and know about the Lord. Maybe use the Apostles’ Creed as an outline. Tell your neighbor that you “believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth”, and you may stimulate a conversation. Explain that “Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord was crucified, died and was buried”, and they may ask some questions. Continue through “the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting”, and pray the Holy Spirit work saving faith in them through the hearing the Word of God. Would that not be hearing the Lord our God and loving your neighbor?