CD - The Ten Commandment (an Introduction) - Matthew 22:37-40; 7:12

“Thou shalt not do this,” “thou shalt not do that,” etc. These “do’s” and “don’ts” are usually what we think of when we think of the Ten Commandments. With that in mind, I know you will be shocked when I tell you that love is the summary of the commandments. Let us go back a little to understand.

The Old Testament, the first half of the Bible, can be better understood if we talk about it in terms of a covenant, or agreement, hence; God gave the Ten Commandments as we know them today, as part of a covenant with His people. God also gave many ceremonial or ritual laws for the children of Israel at that time, all meant to help them in their worship and to help them get along better with one another—all of which are part of a covenant. At any rate, when Jesus came, He fulfilled, or lived according to all the old laws. He did what generations of the Israelites were not able to do, which is why He did it, and He did it perfectly. He did it in our stead, so that we do not have to (Matt. 4:48). After His death and resurrection, He established the New Testament, or new covenant (agreement) which we usually associate with the second half of the Bible.

In the new agreement, Jesus summed up the first three commandments, which talk about how we are to be in relationship to God, as “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind” (Mark 12:30). He then summed up commandments four through ten, which talk about how we are to treat each other, as “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). In both instances, we see the key word love. If you think about it, it is logical. If you love God more than anyone or anything, He will be first in your heart, soul, and mind. If you love your neighbor as you love yourself, you will not steal, covet, hurt, harm, commit adultery, etc. In fact, you will want to help and befriend your neighbor.

We all know the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matthew 7:12). When Jesus said these words He was speaking in a very positive sense. He did not say as we do today, “if others do not bother me, I will not bother them,” or “I will do to them as they do to me.” He said for us to do it first, as you would like someone to do to you, but He did say not to expect anything in return. This practice is a display of love.

Back to love as the summary of the commandments. God had so much love for us that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to live, suffer, die and rise for our salvation. That is true love, and that is the kind of love we ought to have for one another; that is, a selfless concern. If we can practice that kind of love (the Greeks call it agape), then love is the summary of the commandments, and we will be able to keep them.

Dear Lord Jesus, forgive me when I put someone or something in first place in my life, ahead of You. Forgive me when I forget to love my neighbor as myself. Thank You that You loved me so much that You lived, suffered, died and rose for me. Help me to do to others as You have done for me. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.