Love, the First Commandment

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” –Luke 10:27

I recently read the parable of the good Samaritan, and couldn’t help but notice the first commandment that God gave the Israelites was to love him. And it wasn’t to be a casual love, but a whole-hearted, deep-in-your-soul, to-your-last-breath, wholly-conscious love. This must have been a unique concept of God at the time, for I can’t imagine people who worshipped pagan gods felt any affection for their idols. It is the only true God who initiates relationship with his creation. And while the Israelites were making their golden calf, God penned this first commandment: love. The same kind of love that Jesus had for his Father, that empowered him to walk, talk, eat, and breathe his Father’s will. The same kind of love that was poured out on the early church and created leaders like Paul who left all for the sake of Christ, or like Peter who, although he denied knowing Jesus three times, ultimately died a martyr. After the resurrection, what did Jesus ask Peter three times? Do you love me?

I felt the Holy Spirit asking me the same question. After some thoughtful consideration, I said, “Yes, BUT not as passionately as I should.” I think about the times I say no to God, and realize that it is those very times that are an opportunity to deny myself and follow Jesus. I think what our Heavenly Father was trying to tell me was that at the point of my “no” there is a false god or something that I love more hindering me. God did not make love the first commandment by mistake. It is out of love for Him that all things flow. It is out of love for the Father that the Son left his glory and became like us, yet obedient to death, even death on the cross. It is out of this kind of love that Jesus was able to say, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)

PRAYER: Dear Father, pour out in our hearts your Holy Spirit, that he may fan the love in our hearts into a holy love for you that is steadfast and without reserve. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen!