{"id":576,"date":"2022-03-21T07:21:11","date_gmt":"2022-03-21T07:21:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/?page_id=576"},"modified":"2025-07-05T19:27:41","modified_gmt":"2025-07-05T23:27:41","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/","title":{"rendered":"The Greatest Commandment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title\">The Greatest Commandment<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>\u201c&#8217;Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.&#8217; This is the first and greatest commandment.<br>And the second is like it: &#8216;Love your neighbor as yourself.\u2019\u201d \u2013 <em>Matthew 22:37\u201339<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus said all of God\u2019s law and the writings of the prophets hang on these two commands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How do we attempt to love God in this way?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/homeless_-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1086\" style=\"width:513px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/homeless_-1.png 1024w, https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/homeless_-1-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/homeless_-1-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/homeless_-1-768x768.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Matthew 25:31\u201346<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On that last day, that great day known as the white throne judgement, all will stand before Jesus.  He will separate people based on those who showed love to Him and those who did not.    <strong>\u201cWhen the Son of Man comes in His glory&#8230; He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.\u201d<\/strong><br>\u2014 <em>Matthew 25:31\u201332<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Sheep (Righteous):<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201cThen the King will say to those on his right, &#8216;Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.\u2019\u201d<\/strong><br>\u2014 <em>Matthew 25:34-36<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2705 Commended Actions (for the \u201cSheep\u201d on His right):<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>You gave Me food when I was hungry<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>You gave Me drink when I was thirsty<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>You welcomed Me when I was a stranger<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>You clothed Me when I was naked<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>You cared for Me when I was sick<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>You visited Me when I was in prison<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Sheep\u2019s Response:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The righteous are <strong>confused<\/strong> and ask:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201cLord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?\u201d<\/strong><br>\u2014 <em>Matthew 25:37-39<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jesus&#8217; Answer:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201cTruly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.\u201d<\/strong><br>\u2014 <em>Matthew 25:40<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus said these acts were done <strong>for Him<\/strong> when done for the least of <strong>these brothers and sisters of His<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Why did Jesus say this? Because He was there all along, suffering with us, even through we didn&#8217;t know it.  He is an intimate Lord, not far away, but one who dwells with His people. Our acts of love and compassion are not only felt by the people we reach, but by God Himself. That&#8217;s why He said <strong><em>\u201cIf you love Me, you will keep My commandments.\u201d<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 John 14:15 <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most of Jesus\u2019 commands focus on the <strong>condition of your heart<\/strong>, revealed through your actions toward others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do you show mercy and have compassion?<br>Do you have an inner desire to place others above yourself?<br>Would you protect and stand up for others\u2014even at your own expense?<br>Do you value honesty, truth, and humility?<br>Can you look past someone\u2019s actions and care about them, even if they\u2019ve harmed you?<br>Do your actions bring peace\u2014or do they create division?<br>Can you forgive\u2026 everyone?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These are the <strong>attributes of righteousness<\/strong>\u2014grounded in the truth that is in Jesus, and brought forth by Him <strong>through relational trust<\/strong>.<br>It is our job to seek who He truly is, and come to <strong>know and trust in His words<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is <strong>His will<\/strong>, as Messiah and Son of God, to transform us into new creations\u2014so that we become pleasing to the Father.<br>When you turn from your old ways and begin to trust Him, <strong>He brings forth the Kingdom of God to you\u2014here and now<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His eternal Kingdom will dwell <strong>within you and around you<\/strong>, as you live, walk, and follow Him in righteousness.<br>Jesus brings forth His Kingdom, and we live it out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>\u201cThy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.\u201d<\/strong><br>\u2014 <em>Matthew 6:10 (KJV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>So, How Do We Learn to Love God With Everything?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus taught us what to do. In this order, He said: <strong>Ask<\/strong>, <strong>Seek<\/strong>, and <strong>Knock<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if you think you already have the answers, I urge you\u2014<strong>please revisit what Jesus Himself taught<\/strong>, because there are great deceptions in many churches today. The Bible must be understood <strong>through the teachings of Jesus<\/strong>\u2014not the other way around, and not commingled with religious tradition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ask: <em>Who are You, Jesus?  What is Your true gospel?  What is Your Kingdom?  Why did You go to the cross?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Seek the answers using <strong>His own words<\/strong>, and know that He will surely lead you to the truth.<br>Then, when you&#8217;re ready, <strong>repent and knock on the door<\/strong>.<br>He will open it and welcome you in with arms wide open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>First, Seek Jesus and His Kingdom<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cBut seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Matthew 6:33<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Discover the truth about the gospel, the Kingdom of God, and who Jesus Christ really is\u2014based on <strong>His words<\/strong>.  <em>See<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/?page_id=1144\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"1144\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#0693e3\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><em>What is the Good News?<\/em><\/mark> <\/a>,                                           <em><a href=\"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/?page_id=1113\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"1113\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#0693e3\" class=\"has-inline-color\">The Beautiful Mystery of the Cross<\/mark><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/?page_id=1168\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"1168\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#0693e3\" class=\"has-inline-color\">Mystery of Jesus Bearing our Sin<\/mark><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cThe time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Mark 1:15<br><em>\u201cAnd this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 John 17:3<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Then, using your God-given free will, decide whether you\u2019re willing to <strong>repent<\/strong>\u2014to turn away from yourself daily and <strong>believe <\/strong>in Him, without turning back.  <em>See <a href=\"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/?page_id=965\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"965\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#0693e3\" class=\"has-inline-color\">What it Means to &#8220;Repent&#8221;<\/mark><\/a> and <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/?page_id=1066\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"1066\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#0693e3\" class=\"has-inline-color\">What it means to &#8220;Believe&#8221;<\/mark><\/em><\/a><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#0693e3\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/?page_id=1066\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"1066\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <\/a><\/mark> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cIf anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Luke 9:23<br><em>\u201cNo one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Luke 9:62<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>If you do, you will enter the Kingdom of God, which will be <strong>within you<\/strong> and <strong>around you<\/strong> as you walk in trust with Jesus.  <em>See <a href=\"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/?page_id=961\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"961\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#0693e3\" class=\"has-inline-color\">What is the Kingdom of God?<\/mark><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cThe kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed\u2026 for behold, the kingdom of God is within you.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Luke 17:20\u201321 (NKJV alt. translation)<br><em>\u201cUnless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 John 3:3<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>You will be born again, and His Spirit will dwell in you.<br>This is the <strong>Spirit of Truth<\/strong>\u2014who convicts, teaches, and reminds us of everything Jesus said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cIf you love Me, you will keep My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper\u2026 He dwells with you and will be in you.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 John 14:15\u201317<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus, the Messiah, will begin a work in you\u2014<strong>transforming your heart<\/strong> and setting you free from the bondage of sin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cThe Spirit of the Lord is upon Me\u2026 He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives\u2026 to set at liberty those who are oppressed.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Luke 4:18<br><em>\u201cEveryone who practices sin is a slave to sin\u2026 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 John 8:34\u201336<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>It won\u2019t be easy. The path is narrow, and the world is against you.<br>But build your life on the rock. Hold on to the truth He gives you so you can stand when the storms come.<br>And always remember: <strong>He will never fail you. He will never leave you.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cIn the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 John 16:33<br><em>\u201cI am with you always, to the end of the age.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Matthew 28:20<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>As you continue in <strong>relational trust<\/strong> with Jesus, you\u2019ll experience a love and peace so deep, so fulfilling, that no amount of money, fame, or power could ever compare\u2014and no words can fully describe it.<br>When it penetrates your soul, you will understand the true meaning of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cMy cup overflows.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Psalm 23:5<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cPeace I leave with you; My peace I give to you\u2026 Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 John 14:27<br><em>\u201cThese things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 John 15:11<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>This is what we call joy.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>And in this joy, we begin to <strong>bear fruit<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With a new heart, we become thankful, kind, gentle, forgiving, compassionate, slow to anger, patient, peace-making, and eager to serve others\u2014not for credit, but in humility and in secret, because of what Jesus has done for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cBy this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 John 15:8<br><em>\u201cWhoever would be great among you must be your servant.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Matthew 20:26<br><em>\u201cWhen you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing\u2026\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Matthew 6:3<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In short:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To obey Jesus\u2019 commands is to love Him\u2014<br>but <strong>obedience without the heart is empty<\/strong>.<br>True obedience flows from a <strong>heart of love and trust<\/strong>, and that\u2019s why this is the <strong>greatest commandment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As we grow in personal relationship with Jesus, He transforms us into people who genuinely <strong>desire to obey and follow God<\/strong>.<br><strong>That\u2019s the destination. That\u2019s how we overcome.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cThis is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 1 John 5:3<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>When it becomes a <strong>joy<\/strong> to do God\u2019s will, then you are truly loving God with everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So desperately pursue <strong>relational trust<\/strong> with Jesus\u2014<br>Because He alone holds the title of Christ.<br>As the saving Messiah, He will break the chains of sin,<br>Give you a heart of flesh,<br>And sow the love of God in you\u2014so that you can <strong>love others as He has loved you<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cIf you love Me, you will keep My commandments.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 John 14:15<br><em>\u201cA new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.\u201d<\/em>   \u2014 John 13:34                                                                <em>\u201cNo one is good\u2014except God alone.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Luke 18:19<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cEveryone who comes to Me and hears My words and does them\u2026 is like a man building a house on the rock.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Luke 6:47<br><em>\u201cBut the one who hears and does not do them\u2026 his house fell, and great was the ruin.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Luke 6:49<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><style>\/*! elementor - v3.16.0 - 20-09-2023 *\/&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br \/>&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br>.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u271d\ufe0f Jesus Came to Save the World<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201cFor the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 <em>Luke 19:10<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>&#8220;Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one\u2019s life for his friends.&#8221;<\/strong>\u2014 <em>John 15:13 (NKJV)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&#8220;I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.&#8221;<\/strong>\u2014 <em>John 10:11 (NKJV)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">For God So Loved the World<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udca1 \u201cFor God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that <strong>whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life<\/strong>.\u201d \u2013 <em>John 3:16<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/cross-683x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1035\" style=\"width:509px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/cross-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/cross-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/cross-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/cross.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;&#8230;whoever <strong>believes <\/strong>in Him shall not perish but have eternal life&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What does it mean to &#8220;believe&#8221; in Him?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the original Greek, the word translated as \u201cbelieve\u201d is <em>pisteu\u014d<\/em> (\u03c0\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5\u03cd\u03c9). It means far more than intellectual agreement\u2014<strong>it means to entrust your entire self to Jesus<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To believe is to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Trust<\/strong> Him completely<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Be faithful<\/strong> to Him as Lord<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Surrender<\/strong> your will to His authority<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Follow<\/strong> His words and example<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>\u201cAnd He said to all, \u2018If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.<\/strong><\/em>&#8221; \u2013 Luke 9:23 (ESV)<br><strong><em>\u201cFor the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.\u201d<\/em> <\/strong>\u2013 Matthew 7:14 (ESV)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"225\" class=\"wp-image-1014\" style=\"width: 150px;\" src=\"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/man_kneeling.png\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/man_kneeling.png 1024w, https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/man_kneeling-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/man_kneeling-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/man_kneeling-768x1152.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>  True belief results in obedience, not out of obligation, but out of love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>&#8220;If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.&#8221;<\/strong><\/em><br>\u2014 John 14:23<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>\u201cGod did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.\u201d<\/strong><\/em> \u2013 John 3:17<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udc94 He Came for the Broken<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201cBlessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 <em>Matthew 5:3<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus came for the ones who know they need Him\u2014the humble, the poor in spirit, the meek, the oppressed, and the brokenhearted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em><strong>\u201cIt is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.\u201d<\/strong><\/em> \u2013 Luke 5:31\u201332<br><strong><em>\u201cThe Spirit of the Lord is on me\u2026 to proclaim good news to the poor\u2026 to set the oppressed free.\u201d<\/em> <\/strong>\u2013 Luke 4:18<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/PoorInSpirit-683x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1074\" style=\"width:509px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/PoorInSpirit-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/PoorInSpirit-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/PoorInSpirit-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/PoorInSpirit.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When Jesus said &#8220;<em><strong>I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance<\/strong><\/em>&#8221; He included an irony here that must be understood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus made it clear that no one is righteous on their own\u2014no one is truly good except God. In fact, when speaking to the crowd, He referred to them (and humanity in general) as being evil. The reality is: all people are lost apart from Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The difference between those considered &#8220;righteous&#8221; and those called &#8220;sinners&#8221; is this\u2014sinners can admit they are lost. They know they need help. These are the \u201cpoor in spirit\u201d whom Jesus calls blessed. But those who see themselves as righteous often do not come to Him at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you can\u2019t come before God in complete honesty\u2014examining, recognizing, and acknowledging your own sinful nature\u2014Jesus can&#8217;t save you. He came to call sinners to repentance, because the self-righteous can&#8217;t hear. Jesus extends an open invitation to everyone\u2014but He won\u2019t override someone\u2019s refusal to repent. <strong>&#8220;You refuse to come to Me to have life.&#8221;<\/strong> \u2014 <em>John 5:40<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Repentance isn\u2019t about you conquering sin by effort. It\u2019s not a scoreboard. It\u2019s not about how well you&#8217;re doing. Repentance is about trusting Jesus\u2014leaning fully on Him\u2014and allowing Him to transform your heart.  It\u2019s about becoming broken, being brutally honest, renouncing sin, and surrendering the very areas you cannot overcome. True life begins when you draw closer, lean harder, and walk yoked with the One who is good, faithful, and unfailing.  It is His glory to overcome for you, to carry you when you can\u2019t stand\u2014and that happens when you surrender, again and again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>So Jesus said to him, \u201cWhy do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.&#8221; \u2014  <\/strong>Mark 10:18.  This wasn\u2019t a denial of His divinity\u2014it was a challenge to the man&#8217;s shallow understanding of goodness. True goodness belongs to God alone, not to human effort or morality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children\u2026\u201d<\/strong> \u2014 <strong> <\/strong>Luke 11:13.  He wasn\u2019t insulting His audience\u2014He was pointing out the fallen nature of all humanity. Paul echoes this in Romans 3:10: <em>\u201cThere is none righteous, no, not one.\u201d<\/em><br>The truth is: we are not born righteous\u2014we are born in need of rescue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201cBlessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.\u201d<\/strong> \u2014 see Matthew 5:3. Being &#8220;poor in spirit&#8221; means seeing the truth in who you are compared to the truth in who God is, recognizing that something is really wrong, and that you are in desperate need of rescue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Repentance is about humility, an acknowledgment of sin, and surrender to the truth in Jesus; it is <strong>not about works or self-improvement<\/strong> \u2014Jesus illustrated this in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9\u201314)\u2014the one who humbled himself was the one made right with God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus invites us <em><strong>\u201cCome to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest\u2026 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me\u2026 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.\u201d<\/strong><\/em> &#8212; <em>Matthew 11:28\u201330<\/em>**<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>He never said life would be easy\u2014but He shares the burden, and He offers rest for your soul. This is the picture of a life daily surrendered, walking out your problems with Jesus\u2014not striving for God\u2019s approval, but resting in His presence and in the truth of His words.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u26a0\ufe0f He Warned the Proud<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201cWhat good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 <em>Mark 8:36<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus spoke strongly against the proud, the self-sufficient, and the lovers of money.<br>He called out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The rich who trusted in their wealth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The proud who exalted themselves<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Those who loved the world more than God<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em><strong>\u201cYou cannot serve both God and money.\u201d<\/strong><\/em> \u2013 Matthew 6:24<br><strong><em>\u201cWoe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.\u201d<\/em> <\/strong>\u2013 Luke 6:24<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/TheRichMan.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1024\" style=\"width:513px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/TheRichMan.png 1024w, https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/TheRichMan-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/TheRichMan-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/TheRichMan-768x768.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201cFor what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?\u201d<\/strong><br><em>\u2014 Mark 8:36<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Additional Context of Jesus Speaking (Mark 8:34\u201337):<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, \u201cIf anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.<br>35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel\u2019s will save it.<br>36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?<br>37 For what can a man give in return for his soul?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus also phrased the same idea this way <strong>&#8220;He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.&#8221;<\/strong>  \u2014 <em>John 12:25 (NKJV)<\/em><br>Jesus is alluding to the truth that if you love what the world offers, you are actually at enmity with God. Choosing to love the things of this world reveals that you serve it as your god. And what is your inheritance? Death\u2014because that is what all temporary things lead to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>James, half-brother of Jesus and known as &#8220;James the Just&#8221;, put it bluntly when he said \u201cYou adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?  Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.\u201d  <em>\u2014<\/em> James 4:4<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Those who come to know this truth begin to hate the empty pursuits of the world. They see clearly how chasing fleeting comfort, pride, and pleasure leads only to loss\u2014of self, of purpose, and often of those we love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Those who truly love God cannot love the life this world offers. They willingly lay it down. In doing so, they find true life\u2014through loving God and serving others. Their inheritance is eternal life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201cDo not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world\u2014the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions\u2014is not from the Father but is from the world.&#8221;<\/strong>  \u2014<em> 1 John 2:15<\/em> <em>(written by the apostle John, not Jesus, but reflects His teaching)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udcd6 Parable of the Rich Fool \u2013 <em>Luke 12:16\u201321<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>And he told them this parable:<br>\u201cThe ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest.<br>He thought to himself, \u2018What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.\u2019<br>\u201cThen he said, \u2018This is what I\u2019ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain.<br>And I\u2019ll say to myself, \u201cYou have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.\u201d\u2019<br>\u201cBut God said to him, \u2018You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?\u2019<br>\u201cThis is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/RichFool-683x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1037\" style=\"width:538px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/RichFool-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/RichFool-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/RichFool-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/RichFool.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udcd6His Words Alone Save and Judge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201cFor I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 <em>John 12:47<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus didn\u2019t come to bring condemnation\u2014but He warned that His words would be what judge us in the end:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cThere is a judge for the one who rejects me <strong>and does not accept my words<\/strong>; the very <strong>words I have spoken will condemn<\/strong> them at the last day.<br>For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.<br>I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just <strong>what the Father has told me to say.<\/strong>\u201d<\/em><strong> <\/strong>\u2013 John 12:48\u201350<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/JesusTeaching.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1018\" style=\"width:545px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/JesusTeaching.png 1024w, https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/JesusTeaching-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/JesusTeaching-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/JesusTeaching-768x768.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udd0d What does \u201c<strong>accept my words<\/strong>\u201d mean?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Greek word for <strong>\u201caccept\u201d<\/strong> here is <strong>\u03bb\u03b1\u03bc\u03b2\u03ac\u03bd\u03c9 (lamban\u014d)<\/strong> \u2014<br>It means to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Receive<\/strong>, <strong>embrace<\/strong>, or <strong>take hold of<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Not just hear, but to <strong>receive with agreement and obedience<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>So when Jesus says <em>\u201caccept My words\u201d<\/em>, He means:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Take them into your heart<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Agree with them<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Live by them<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Let them become the <strong>foundation of your life<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s the opposite of just <strong>hearing<\/strong> and doing nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cWhy do you call Me, \u2018Lord, Lord,\u2019 and not do what I say?\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Luke 6:46<br><em>\u201cEveryone who hears these words of Mine and does them\u2026\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Matthew 7:24<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udd25 Context: Eternal Consequences<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus is saying:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>His <strong>words<\/strong> are not optional.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To <strong>reject Him<\/strong> and <strong>not receive His words<\/strong> = judgment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>On the <strong>last day<\/strong>, His <strong>own words<\/strong> will be the standard by which people are judged.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Why? Because:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cI did not speak on my own\u2026 the Father who sent Me commanded Me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>So to reject Jesus\u2019 words is not just rejecting a teacher or prophet\u2014<br>It is rejecting the <strong>very words of God the Father<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udd39 <strong>Jesus Speaking Directly from the Father<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus does not just speak <strong>inspiration<\/strong>\u2014He speaks <strong>revelation<\/strong> from <strong>direct knowledge and unity with the Father<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;<em>For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.&#8221; <\/em>\u2014 John 12:49<br><em>\u201cThe words that I say to you I do not speak on My own authority, but the Father who dwells in Me does His works.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 John 14:10<br><em>\u201cTruly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of His own accord, but only what He sees the Father doing.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 John 5:19<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus is <strong>the Word made flesh<\/strong> (John 1:14).<br>He is not just a messenger\u2014He <strong>is the message<\/strong>, perfectly revealing the Father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2705 The message is <strong>from the Father, through the Son<\/strong>, with <strong>perfect clarity and authority<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">So why does this matter?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Because Jesus&#8217; words hold <strong>absolute authority<\/strong>. They are the <strong>foundation<\/strong> of the faith:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cHeaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Matthew 24:35<br><em>\u201cEveryone who hears these words of Mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Matthew 7:24<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Even the apostles (including Peter, John, and James) <strong>affirmed Jesus&#8217; words<\/strong> as the highest authority.  Therefore all scripture, both Old and New Testament, needs to be discerned, interpreted, and understood through the truth as revealed by Jesus \u2014 the divine Son of God, the anointed messiah, and the truth in whom the body of His church is built upon.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cJesus said to him, \u2018I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 John 14:6 (ESV)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cDo not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.\u201d<\/em>  \u2014<strong> <\/strong>Matthew 5:17 (ESV)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cAnd I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Matthew 16:18 (ESV)                               The \u201crock\u201d is Peter\u2019s declaration in <strong>verse 16<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cYou are the Christ, the Son of the living God.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>So Jesus is building His church (those who believe in Him) on the <strong>truth of who He is<\/strong>.  It is this truth, this rock, this foundation that allows us to overcome all lies and all deceptions that lead to the gates of hell.  Therefore, be wise and build your house (your spiritual understanding, your temple) on His rock (His words, His truth) and your house will stand for forever.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Luke 6:47\u201349                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     The wise man <strong>hears<\/strong> His words and <strong>does<\/strong> them\u2014he&#8217;s like a man building a house on rock.<br>The foolish man <strong>hears<\/strong>, but <strong>does not obey<\/strong>\u2014and his house falls.  <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udf1f The Second Greatest Commandment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c&#8217;Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.&#8217; This is the first and greatest commandment.<br><strong>And the second is like it: &#8216;Love your neighbor as yourself.\u2019\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 <em>Matthew 22:37\u201339<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus said all of God\u2019s law and the writings of the prophets hang<strong> on these two commands<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udcd6 Parable of the Good Samaritan \u2013 <em>Luke 10:25\u201337<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus.<br>\u201cTeacher,\u201d he asked, \u201cwhat must I do to inherit eternal life?\u201d<br>\u201cWhat is written in the Law?\u201d he replied. \u201cHow do you read it?\u201d<br>He answered, \u201c\u2018Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind\u2019; and, \u2018<strong>Love your neighbor as yourself<\/strong>.\u2019\u201d<br>\u201cYou have answered correctly,\u201d Jesus replied. \u201cDo this and you will live.\u201d<br>But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, <strong>\u201cAnd who is my neighbor?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GoodSamar-683x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1040\" style=\"width:540px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GoodSamar-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GoodSamar-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GoodSamar-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GoodSamar.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>In reply Jesus said:<br>\u201cA man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers.<br>They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.<br>A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.<br>So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.<br>But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.<br>He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.<br>The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. \u2018Look after him,\u2019 he said, \u2018and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.\u2019<br>\u201c<strong>Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers<\/strong>?\u201d<br>The expert in the law replied, \u201c<strong>The one who had mercy on him<\/strong>.\u201d<br>Jesus told him, \u201c<strong>Go and do likewise<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201cGo and learn what this means: \u2018I desire mercy, not sacrifice.\u2019 <\/strong><br>\u2014 <em>Matthew 9:13<\/em> (Jesus quoting Hosea 6:6)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udfe0 Coming Home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To believe in Jesus is to come home.<br>It is to stop running, stop striving, and be restored to the One who made you.<br>He calls us to surrender our sins, ambitions, and fears\u2014and to walk daily in truth, peace, and joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em><strong>\u201cCome to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.\u201d<\/strong><\/em> \u2013 Matthew 11:28<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udcd6 Parable of the Prodigal Son \u2013 <em>Luke 15:11\u201332<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Jesus continued:<br>\u201cThere was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, \u2018Father, give me my share of the estate.\u2019 So he divided his property between them.<br>\u201cNot long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.<br>After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.<br>So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.<br>He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.<br>\u201cWhen he came to his senses, he said, \u2018How many of my father\u2019s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!<br>I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.<br>I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.\u2019<br>So he got up and went to his father.<br>\u201cBut while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.<br>\u201cThe son said to him, \u2018Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.\u2019<br>\u201cBut the father said to his servants, \u2018Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.<br>Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let\u2019s have a feast and celebrate.<br>For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.\u2019<br>So they began to celebrate.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ComingHome-683x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1017\" style=\"width:509px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ComingHome-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ComingHome-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ComingHome-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ComingHome.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udcd6 <strong>Luke 15:4\u20137 (NKJV)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>4<\/strong> <em>\u201cWhat man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?<\/em><br><strong>5<\/strong> <em>And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.<\/em><br><strong>6<\/strong> <em>And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, \u2018Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!\u2019<\/em><br><strong>7<\/strong> <em>I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<form id=\"wpforms-form-132\" action=\"\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php\" enctype=\"multipart\/form-data\" method=\"post\" data-formid=\"132\" data-token=\"79f8fa806e8ee8d17874b618400c1a11\"><\/form>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201c&#8217;Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.&#8217; This is the first and greatest commandment.And the second is like it: &#8216;Love your neighbor as yourself.\u2019\u201d \u2013 Matthew 22:37\u201339 Jesus said all of God\u2019s law and the writings of the prophets hang on these two [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"page-builder","ast-site-content-layout":"normal-width-container","site-content-style":"unboxed","site-sidebar-style":"unboxed","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-576","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"greatestcommandment.org","author_link":"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/?author=1"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"\u201c&#8217;Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.&#8217; This is the first and greatest commandment.And the second is like it: &#8216;Love your neighbor as yourself.\u2019\u201d \u2013 Matthew 22:37\u201339 Jesus said all of God\u2019s law and the writings of the prophets hang on these two&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/576","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=576"}],"version-history":[{"count":126,"href":"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/576\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1322,"href":"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/576\/revisions\/1322"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/greatestcommandment.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=576"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}