Key Thought

After Jesus' answer on the "greatest commandment" question, we are brought back to the truth of the situation. The opponents of Jesus aren't really interested in his answer on this important matter. His answers are for us, his disciples; Jesus' opponents don't care to hear the truth of God. They are simply trying to trap him and trick him into a huge mistake. So Jesus' answer stressing the importance of love is saved for us, to help us know what our Savior holds as most important for us to do. However, Jesus has no illusions about the hostility he faces in the Pharisees, Sadducees, and teachers of the Law. He knows their plan and their purpose. But Jesus still loves them and longs to confront them with the truth. So he asks a question to baffle the hard hearted. At the same time, his question is designed to speak to the seeker in these hostile groups and ask them to look deeper into his Davidic and Messianic claims and come to his authority emanating from God. The first group, of course, is silenced and shamed at being tripped up in their own game. The latter group has a seed that is planted in their hearts that hopefully will germinate when the Spring of faith warms with hope at his resurrection.

Today's Prayer

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Almighty God, I know that no one is like you or worthy of the praise that is due you. I thank you, however, for showing me Jesus. One who took on human flesh and walked the world that I face. Thank you for showing me your grace and strength in the context of my world. I want to live under your authority and according to your will. Seeing you in Jesus helps me know unmistakably that your authority alone saves. Thank you, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

The Pharisees learned that Jesus told the Sadducees things they could not argue with. So the Pharisees met together. One Pharisee was an expert in the law {of Moses}. That Pharisee asked Jesus a question to test him. The Pharisee said, "Teacher, which command in the law is the most important?" Jesus answered, "'You must love the Lord your God. You must love him with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and most important command. And the second command is like the first: 'You must love other people the same as you love yourself.' All of the law and the writings of the prophets take their meaning from these two commands." So while the Pharisees were together, Jesus asked them a question. Jesus said, "What do you think about the Christ ? Whose son is he?" The Pharisees answered, "The Christ is the Son of David. " Then Jesus said to the Pharisees, "Then why did David call him 'Lord'? David was speaking by the power of the {Holy} Spirit. David said, 'The Lord (God) said to my Lord (Christ): Sit by me at my right side, and I will put your enemies under your control. ' David calls the Christ 'Lord.' So how can he be David's son?" None of the Pharisees could answer Jesus' question. And after that day no person was brave enough to ask Jesus any more questions {to try to trick him}.

— Matthew 22:34-46 (ERV)

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.