Musing – What’s the Most Important thing Christians can do for the Kingdom?

Hebraic Musing – What’s the Most Important thing Christians can do for the Kingdom?

The most popular quick answer, even from ministers, would be “Evangelize and save souls”.  But what did Jesus say?    "The most important one… is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.    Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'   The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:29-31  NIV

Was Jesus stating a new command?  No; He’s just reiterating the OT command – "'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” Lev. 19:18

Types of love mentioned in the Bible (from the original Greek):
Eros        - “Sensual” or romantic – for Self-gratification
Phileo      - “Brotherly” which unites believers and most relationships. (including many marriages!)
                   It is a relationship that benefits one’s self; and might last only as long one enjoys benefits.
Storge     - “Familial”, the special love and care within family or members of a herd; from self-protection,
Agape     - “God’s love”, unconditional love based solely on character and volition and choice of the lover,
                    rather than the one being loved.   Remember that “… he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

Did you notice that the first three types of “Love” are mostly for self-benefit?  And Agape, God’s love, can only be accomplished with help from God’s Holy Spirit.  Even then, we can never get it perfected; but, that is not an excuse for not trying!

And then Jesus raises the bar with a real test in Matt 5:43-44   "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'  But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”   And Jesus goes on to point out that even the pagans and gentiles experience the imperfect forms of self-serving love. “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matt 5:46-48  

And then Jesus tells us how to pursue the perfect Agape love –"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.  If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also….”   Luke 6:27-29

Do break relationships over insults?  What does it mean to “Turn the other cheek” in Matt 5:39  “But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”    To strike someone on the right cheek using your dominant right hand, you need to be using the back of your hand.  That back of the hand blow is an insulting dismissal, not at deliberate debilitating punch. 

If you prayed “for those who mistreat you” might you someday learn to love them?  It could happen!  If you have difficulty doing that, might the Holy Spirit be willing to help?  Maybe we can start by identifying the good in each person we meet!?!?   There is no trivial talk on the deathbed!  What would happen if we eulogized people while they were still alive, instead of waiting for the funeral?

Points to ponder

How many people love Jesus because of what He does for them?

Does love just happen?  Or do you need to deliberately pursue love?  And practice at it!

Who should we add to our prayer list?

If the world sees more Agape Love, might there be more souls saved?

♫  What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It's the only thing that there's just too little of... ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          May 28, 2019  

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note - Inspired by Tony Crisp message May 22, 2019