Boiling It Down

Read Proverbs 8

Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

Mark 12:29-31

“Boil it down for me, Jesus,” the Jewish scribe essentially asked. “Of all the laws on the books, which one should I focus on?” In so many words, this is the great dilemma of the ages: What is the point of life? Is there a succinct philosophy or worldview that spells out why we are here and how we are to live?

Not only did Jesus summarize over six hundred Jewish laws in a handful of short sentences, he also revealed the only way to a rich existence full of meaning and purpose.

Life is all about relationships, Jesus stated. Knowing God (and loving him with all that we are, in all that we do) is foremost. Hand in hand with this is our God-given responsibility to care for others and to look out for their interests (Philippians 2:3-4). When our passion and purpose in life is to please the living God and bless others, then (and only then) we will find the simplicity, freedom, and joy that eludes most people.

A WORD FOR TODAY

The greatest proverb—“Love God.”

Today, Lord, I want to love more fully. Ignite within me a passion for you and a compassion for others.