Lesson 26 - The Second (2nd) Greatest Commandment

Matthew 22:36 - 40

And the second is like it: ’Love your Neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 

 In this passage, a religious expert asks Jesus about the greatest commandment in the Law. Jesus responds by quoting two commandments. The first is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, which emphasizes wholehearted devotion to God. The second is to love your neighbor as yourself, which emphasizes treating others with love and kindness.

Jesus explains that these two commandments are interconnected and summarize the entire Law and the teachings of the Prophets. In other words, all of God's commandments can be understood and fulfilled through the lens of love for God and love for others. 

By emphasizing the importance of love for God and love for neighbor, Jesus challenges the religious leaders of his time to move beyond legalistic observance and to cultivate genuine love and compassion in their relationships.

This passage teaches that love is the foundation of true obedience to God and that it should extend not only to God but also to our fellow human beings. It reminds us that our love for God should be reflected in our attitudes and actions towards others. Loving our neighbor as ourselves means treating others with the same care, respect, and kindness that we desire for ourselves.

Jesus concludes by stating that all the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments, emphasizing their central importance in guiding our relationship with God and our interactions with others.

Overall, Matthew 22:36-40 teaches the significance of love in the Christian faith, highlighting the inseparable connection between love for God and love for others. It reminds us that living out these two commandments is essential for fulfilling the entirety of God's law.