The Greatest Commandments - Matthew 22:34-40

Matthew 22:34-40
34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

When the Pharisees gathered around Jesus in Matthew 22:34–40, one of them—a lawyer—asked, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” His question was an innocent question. He and they others were testing Jesus, hoping to trap Him with His own words. But Jesus’ answer didn’t just silence their debate—it cut straight to the heart of what it means to follow God.

Jesus simply replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

In just a few short sentences, Jesus had summarized the entire Old Testament.

Matthew 18:35 - It's the Mercy

Matthew 18:35:
“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Peter had listened to Jesus and heard a thorough “procedure list” for dealing with sinners -- and what to do when they fail to change.

But what about when they do change?

Peter wondered, would he have to keep forgiving them, or could he limit the times he forgave them to maybe -- seven times?

We are often sinned against by some who later ask us to forgive them. Then -- they go and do the same thing to us again! Each time they come back -- begging our understanding and forgiveness.

Sometimes it’s genuine -- and other times we just feel they are playing us for a patsy. It is hard to tell.

How much patience do we have to extend to those who keep doing it to us, over -- and over -- and over?

Jesus gave Peter, and those around him, a parable to chew on.