The Great Commandment

Pastor Hilton preached on the great commandment from Deuteronomy 6:4-5, examining three New Testament instances where Jesus referenced it. In Luke 10, a lawyer tempted Jesus by asking what to do to inherit eternal life; Jesus directed him to the law, and the lawyer correctly answered to love God with all heart, soul, strength, and mind, and neighbor as self. In Mark 12, a sincere scribe asked which commandment was first, and Jesus replied that the first is 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord,' and to love Him with all heart, soul, mind, and strength, adding that the second is like it—love your neighbor as yourself. In Matthew 22, Jesus stated that on these two commandments hang all the law and prophets. The pastor conducted a word study on the Hebrew terms for heart (levav), soul (nephesh), and might (me'od). Heart refers to the innermost being, the seat of knowledge, will, and moral character. Soul is the living being that actuates the heart's intentions. Might means muchness, force, abundance, and vehemence—loving God exceedingly and with all one's strength. The pastor illustrated this through King Josiah, who at age eight became king, at sixteen began seeking God, at twenty tore down idols, and upon finding the Book of the Law, rent his clothes and wept. He turned to the Lord with all his heart, soul, and might, and no king before or after him was like him. The spiritual purpose is to inspire believers to love God with such total, vehement devotion that it transforms every aspect of life.