The Greatest Commandment and the Call to Surrender

 

Many people approach Jesus with questions—not just for knowledge, but to test, to justify, or to seek truth. In Matthew 22:34–40, a lawyer asks Jesus a question meant to test Him:

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"

Jesus’ response is simple yet profound:

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

This answer summarizes God’s entire will for humanity—love for God and love for others.

The Rich Young Ruler and the Call to Surrender (Matthew 19:16–23):
Earlier, another man, a rich young ruler, approached Jesus with a different question:

"Teacher, what good thing must I do to have eternal life?"

Jesus first points him to the commandments, but when the young man claims to have kept them, Jesus reveals the one thing holding him back:

"Go, sell what you have, give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me."

The young man went away sorrowful, because he had great wealth.

Connecting the Two Passages:
Both the lawyer and the rich young ruler sought to test or justify themselves. However, Jesus’ response in both cases was not about rules but about the heart. The greatest commandment—loving God with all our being—requires total surrender. The rich young ruler followed rules but lacked true love for God because his heart was tied to his wealth.

Application:

1. Love for God is more than obedience; it requires surrender. We cannot serve both God and earthly attachments.
2. Loving others is an outflow of loving God. The lawyer asked about the greatest commandment, and Jesus immediately included love for others. Our faith is incomplete without love.
3. Following Jesus means sacrifice. The rich young ruler walked away because he valued his wealth more than following Christ. What are we holding onto that keeps us from fully loving and obeying God?

Jesus calls us not just to obedience but to wholehearted love. This love transforms our priorities and how we treat others. May we not be like the rich young ruler who walked away sorrowful, but like those who surrender all to follow Christ.

Amen.

More: Sabbath School Lesson 12: The Two Greatest Commandments