The command to “love the Lord your God” is called the “Shema.” Shema is the Hebrew word for “hear.” It’s the first word in the actual command in Deuteronomy 6:4. “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.”

The fact that Jesus said the Shema was the “greatest and first” command would not have been a surprise to anyone. Devout Jews (like Jesus) prayed the Shema twice a day, 365 days a year—once in the morning and once at night. It’s part of my daily prayers.

And then out of 613 written commandments, Jesus added one more to the Shema, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Basically Jesus summarized the main message of the entire Hebrew Bible in five words, “Love God, love your neighbor.”

Jesus’ parable of the Good Samarian answered the question, “Who is my neighbor?” Our neighbor is anyone were in a position to help. It includes family, friends, associates, next door neighbors, and “the poor and the oppressed.”

We see the “poor and oppressed” as our neighbors because Jesus saw them as his neighbors. Jesus reached out to the poor, the sick, and the vulnerable. He also included people discriminated against by society due to social, religious, ethic, or cultural reasons.

Jesus got personally involved with those who needed it most. He welcomed them, interacted with them, healed them, ate with them, valued them, and loved them. That is our joy and mission as well—to love God, and love our neighbors.

Prayer: Almighty God, give me a heart to love, eyes to see my neighbor, and the joy of helping others. In Jesus’ name. Amen

John StraitonJohn Straiton• Teaching Pastor at St. Andrew’s• Lives with his wife, Mary, in Stillwater, Minnesota• Loves to study and teach the written word of God.

Word of the WeekWord of the WeekWeek 2: January 11, 2021 Week 2: January 11, 2021

Matthew 22:36-39“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Every Monday morning of 2021 watch for Word of the Week where 52 St. Andrew’s members have chosen a verse from the Bible that speaks to their heart. They share their verse and have written their heartfilled thoughts on how this verse has influenced their life. They have included a question and close with a prayer. All of our writers are ages 65 and better!

Word of the WeekWord of the Week

“Who might your neighbor be today?”