Within the first five books of the Bible, which is called the Pentateuch, there are 613 commandments, a comprehensive guide for living a life pleasing to God. Faced with this vast body of law, a teacher of the Law posed a crucial question to Jesus.
Mark 12:28 NIV One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
Jesus, in His wisdom, directed him to God's revelation, found within Deuteronomy 6:4-9, which is referred to by Hebrews as the “Shema" which means “to hear”.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NIV [4] Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. [5] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. [6] These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. [7] Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. [8] Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. [9] Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (emphasis mine)
This scripture establishes the fundamental truth of monotheism, affirming the unique and singular nature of God.
Jesus emphasized the midway point of this passage, saying, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” This isn't a suggestion; it is a command. The Hebrew terms used carry deep significance.
“Heart”, in Hebrew “lev” covers more than just emotions; it represents the entirety of one's inner being, including intellect, understanding, and reasoning.
Loving God with your heart means engaging your mind in understanding His ways, aligning your thoughts with His truth, and dedicating your intellectual pursuits to His glory.
Proverbs 4:23 NIV [23] Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
“Soul”, in Hebrew nephesh”, signifies the whole person, the entirety of one’s being, including the physical body. It's not a separate entity, but includes the living, breathing person. As Jesus himself said,
Matthew 16:26 NIV What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
Loving God with your soul means dedicating your entire life, actions, and physical existence to His service.
“Strength”, in Hebrew ‘me’od” is often understood as “very” or “exceedingly.” It speaks to the totality of someone’s resources, including physical abilities, material possessions, and influence.
Proverbs 3:9-10 NIV [9] Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; [10] then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
Loving God with your strength means using all that He has given you for His purposes, recognizing that everything we have ultimately comes from Him.
James 1:16-17 NIV [16] Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. [17] Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
This comprehensive love, encompassing heart, soul, and strength, is n a response to the love that God has for us.
1 John 4:19 NIV We love because he first loved us.
God’s love empowers and enables us to respond in kind. This love isn't just a feeling, it's a lived reality, demonstrated through obedience and devotion.
John 14:21 NIV Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
Mark 12:28 NIV One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
Jesus, in His wisdom, directed him to God's revelation, found within Deuteronomy 6:4-9, which is referred to by Hebrews as the “Shema" which means “to hear”.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NIV [4] Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. [5] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. [6] These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. [7] Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. [8] Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. [9] Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (emphasis mine)
This scripture establishes the fundamental truth of monotheism, affirming the unique and singular nature of God.
Jesus emphasized the midway point of this passage, saying, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” This isn't a suggestion; it is a command. The Hebrew terms used carry deep significance.
“Heart”, in Hebrew “lev” covers more than just emotions; it represents the entirety of one's inner being, including intellect, understanding, and reasoning.
Loving God with your heart means engaging your mind in understanding His ways, aligning your thoughts with His truth, and dedicating your intellectual pursuits to His glory.
Proverbs 4:23 NIV [23] Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
“Soul”, in Hebrew nephesh”, signifies the whole person, the entirety of one’s being, including the physical body. It's not a separate entity, but includes the living, breathing person. As Jesus himself said,
Matthew 16:26 NIV What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
Loving God with your soul means dedicating your entire life, actions, and physical existence to His service.
“Strength”, in Hebrew ‘me’od” is often understood as “very” or “exceedingly.” It speaks to the totality of someone’s resources, including physical abilities, material possessions, and influence.
Proverbs 3:9-10 NIV [9] Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; [10] then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
Loving God with your strength means using all that He has given you for His purposes, recognizing that everything we have ultimately comes from Him.
James 1:16-17 NIV [16] Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. [17] Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
This comprehensive love, encompassing heart, soul, and strength, is n a response to the love that God has for us.
1 John 4:19 NIV We love because he first loved us.
God’s love empowers and enables us to respond in kind. This love isn't just a feeling, it's a lived reality, demonstrated through obedience and devotion.
John 14:21 NIV Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
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