What Jesus Did! 'Boils Down to Love' — Matthew 22:39-40

Friday, October 24, 2025

[After Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God, he continued:] "A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."
— Matthew 22:39-40 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus emphasized and displayed love. God uses it to describe his essential nature (1 John 4:16). The Holy Spirit pours it into our hearts (Romans 5:5) and produces it as they fruit of God's presence in your lives (Galatians 5:22-23). Jesus stressed it would be our identifying quality as his disciples (John 13:35).

When it comes to discipleship, Christian virtue, spiritual character, and ultimate holiness, it all boils down to love. Now we're not talking about some sappy, insipid, fleeting emotion. We're talking about that determined, disciplined, and deliberate commitment to others to work what is for their best good in every situation. Love means caring and sacrificing for others. Love means supporting and encouraging others. But love also means correcting and disciplining others. Love means standing up for truth when others want to abandon it - no matter their reason or motivation.

We are to love God from our toenails to the tops of our heads. But we cannot claim to love God and not love others. It all boils down to love.

Today's Prayer

Holy and loving God, thank you for loving me with an everlasting love. Please help me to show that same love, not only to you, but also to your children. Please give me the strength of character to love others as you have loved me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

37 Related Resources by Heartlight

The Right Angle of Love
Devo: Together in Christ
"[Jesus continued his answer to the expert in religious law about the most important commandment:] "A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor...."
Family to Those Who Are Alone
Article by Bill Sherrill
Are we really to be family to those who don't have family? We've got to show the world that we will actually love them way we claim we will.
Back to Basics
Article by Rubel Shelly
Isn't it about time to get rid of the fluff and get back to the basics? Rubel Shelly uses the recent world series and a few Casey Stengel stories about the early days of the Mets to remind us that the we need to get back to the basics of what we do as believers: love God and love each other.
The Center of God's Will
Article by Tom Norvell
Is this really a safe place? Tom Norvell reminds us that the safest place is in the center of God's will and that means loving God and loving people.
See All 37 Related Resources about Matthew 22:39-40

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 22:39-40 NLT — "A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, October 24, 2025

Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'He Will Give Them Rest' (Je. 50:34)
"The one who redeems them is strong. his name is the Lord of Heaven's Armies. He will defend them and give them rest."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Saved from an Evil World' (2 Ti. 3:1-9)
"Dear Father, Savior, Undergird me with your grace during the days of stress that are present in these last times. Keep me from going in the direction..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Called to Communicate' (Ek. 2:1-3)
""Stand up, son of man," said the voice [of the Spirit to Ezekiel]. "I want to speak with you." The Spirit came into me as he spoke, and he set me on my feet. I...."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
John 6:29
"Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: To believe in the one he has sent.""

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!