Devotional Thoughts Based on the Glory to God Hymnal

He said to Him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

Matthew 22:37

Jesus statement above is set within a Question/Answer format. Jesus has already been tested by the Sadducees and He silenced them. This time the Pharisees nudge a lawyer to query Jesus. The lawyer asks Jesus, “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.” Then Jesus added, “This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Once again, we encounter the previous scripture reference for the familiar story of Jesus welcoming the children to come to Him. The mothers and fathers were bringing their children to Jesus for a blessing. The disciples felt Jesus was too busy to lay His hands on the children. Jesus upbraids His disciples by affirming that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those young, innocent, and receptive. If Jesus takes time to bless the children.

The Glory to God commentator wrote:

“The text was commissioned in 1987 by Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, where it has continued to be used each Sunday as the offertory response. The triune activity of God as Creator (line 1), Savior (line 2), and Sustainer (line 7) enables and inspires our thanks and praise.”

Stated slightly differently, the hymn no less affirms that we are to love God with our whole being. Heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37) and hymn (heart and mind and strength.)

Prayer

O God, we know what You require, namely that we love You with all our heart, soul, and mind is still an objective towards which we strive. Forgive our failures to love You with all our being and strengthen us to achieve that goal. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.