“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your strength.” - Deuteronomy 6:5
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 is known as the Shema. It is an ancient prayer, offered at the beginning and end of the day. It reminds us that love is central to our relationship with God. It is not surprising that these verses resurface in the Gospels. You can learn more about the Shema through the BibleProject video HERE. This Sunday, we will hear these verses as they emerge in the Gospel of Luke. They are recounted to Jesus by a lawyer who has come to test him. There is a similar account in the Gospel of Mark, although in Mark’s version, it is Jesus who offers these verses when asked which of the laws is the greatest. Initially, this command does not sound difficult. Loving God can come naturally, particularly if we continually experience the mercy and love of God. But as the story continues in both Mark and Luke, we see the challenge this command holds: our love of God also must guide our interactions with everyone else. Praying these verses daily will help remind us of this instruction. Living these verses daily will change our lives. Blessings,
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