What is the Greatest Commandment According to Jesus?

What is the greatest commandment? What should we be focusing on?

Well, according to Jesus, life is about learning to love. Jesus himself said this…

In Matthew 22, Jesus makes this crystal clear. The passage begins, “One of [the Pharisees], an expert in the law, tested Him with this question: ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’”

Then Jesus responds in Matthew 22:37-39, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second most important is similar: ‘Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself’” (TLB).

That’s the greatest commandment. Love God and love people. That’s what God cares about. He cares more about your love for him and for other people than he cares how many weeks you come to church or how many pages of the Bible you have memorized.

In fact, the Bible tells us that you can do all the right things BUT without love, it doesn’t count.

Life is not about acquisition, accomplishment, or achievement. It’s not about climbing the career ladder, buying the biggest house, or collecting the newest things. You won’t take your career, your car, or your possessions to Heaven—but you will take your character. You will take the love you’ve cultivated in your heart.

God put you on this Earth for a season—whether 80, 90, or 100 years—to learn to love him with all your heart and to love others as he loves you. Every relationship, every challenge, every joy and heartbreak is an opportunity to practice love.

Life is one giant lesson in love. Every relationship is a laboratory to learn how to love.

So, if this matters to God so much… how will you choose to show love to the people in your life this weekend? Will you make love a priority? Will you listen more patiently? Encourage a friend? Serve someone quietly without recognition?

Every act of love matters and reflects the heart of God.