Keep It Simple!

Likely, it happens in every family, social setting, workplace, and place of worship. Well-meaning people make faith a complex and complicated issue. We cite creeds and doctrines, debate great details on religion, and attempt to prove our deep theological understanding. We explore the genesis of a scripture, attempt to divine the meaning of the text in the original Greek or Hebrew, offer our interpretations, and analyze the validity of various Bible translations or gospel accounts.

We do not dismiss the value of many of these points. It is important to study, gain knowledge and most of all, achieve understanding. Our faith is important and deserves careful study. But at the center of it all, Jesus said He came to free the world of all the complexities, rules and doctrines to bring us back to the basic truth of what really matters—love.

In the verses prior to today’s passage, the Pharisees attempted to entrap Jesus on the issue of paying taxes. Then the Sadducees attempted to ensnare Jesus with a question on the resurrection (a concept the Sadducees didn’t believe in). Both attempts failed to tangle up Jesus; the questioners ended up being entangled themselves. Finally, the scribes asked Jesus which was the greatest commandment in the law.

Jesus responded with today’s key verses. Very simple concepts but they are the key to our relationship with God and our relationship with others. A single phrase is found in both verses, “you shall love.” Love God, love your neighbor. In Luke 10, someone challenged Jesus to define “neighbor” when He called for loving our neighbors. Jesus’ response, the Parable of the Good Samaritan, freed us from categorizing the neighborhood as our geographic spaces, our familial relationships or our social circles, but to extend that neighbor relationship to all who stand in need.

Jesus’ definition of love, and the definitions we see in the other New Testament writings, especially by John, tell us love is not simply an emotion, but a commitment that translates into action. Love requires we exhibit a difference in how we obey God and how we respond to one another.