Can you remember back to last Sunday (February 26)? I’ll give you a big hug next Sunday if four days later you still remember the scripture the sermon was based on last Sunday.
Here’s a hint from Proverbs 14:21:
Those who despise their neighbors are sinners,
but happy are those who are kind to the poor.
The scripture from Sunday was Matthew 22:34-40:
‘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.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Jesus grew up as a practicing Jew in the first century. Jesus was probably raised on the wisdom found in the Proverbs. As he was taught he then taught us:
Never despise your neighbors.
Be kind to the poor.
We are to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
The scriptures will keep reminding us of this simple commandment until we get it right every time.
Dear God, thank you for surrounding me with all my neighbors so that I can show the love of Christ over and over again today. Amen.