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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.” (Matthew 22:34-40 NIV)
Dear Friend, do you ever miss pop quiz days at school? I sure don't. I remember the drill all too well. The teacher would come in with what could be described as a killer grin, with a touch of smug in it, and would yell, "Alright students, clear your desks, get out a clean sheet of paper," and of course, one student who had obviously been in a coma or deep sleep, asks, "Is this a pop quiz?" Yes, the teacher cackled, "This is a pop quiz!" Okay, I'm being mean to teachers; some don't cackle.
It's Tuesday of Holy Week and the Pharisee asking the question might as well have cackled as he approached Jesus with his question, "Teacher (Ooh, he added "teacher," to his quiz), which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" It's a good question, and one that most kids in Sabbath School should answer, but this one was for "all the marbles," meaning there was a purpose behind asking it, as in trick or trap, Jesus. But it was an easy question for Jesus and a great opportunity for Him to teach a bit to those listening. Jesus answers, "'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." Boom. Leave it to Jesus to take it to where it has to be. Love is essential when it comes to our relationship with God and when it comes to ALL relationships.
Instead of listing laws or offering theological loopholes, Jesus distilled the entire heart of God’s will into two relationships—love God, and love your neighbor. Simple, but not easy. This commandment asks for all of us: heart, soul, and mind. It asks us not just to follow rules, but to live in love, which is both the motivation and the measure of a faithful life.
In a world full of division, distraction, and fear, Jesus’ words are a compass. Love is not just one virtue among many; it is the foundation for everything God desires in us. And when we truly love God, it overflows into how we treat others—with compassion, grace, justice, and mercy.
Holy Tuesday invites us to pause and ask: Is love at the center of my life? Is it what shapes my choices, my words, my priorities?
PRAYER: Loving God, You have shown us what matters most: to love You with all that we are, and to love others as You have loved us. Forgive us when we complicate or reduce our faith to anything less. Help us to live with hearts wide open—to worship You fully and serve others freely. Teach us to love, even when it’s hard, even when we feel stretched. Let our lives reflect the very heart of Your law: love that changes everything. In Jesus' strong name we pray, Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: dentify one way today to intentionally show love—whether to God in worship or to someone in your life through kindness, encouragement, or service. Let it be a reminder that love is not just a feeling but a way of living.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
