Jesus answers people's questions about God
From the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 22, verses 34-40 and verse 46
It was a few days before Jesus was killed. He was in the Temple in Jerusalem. He was teaching about God. Many, many people were listening to what he said.
Some leaders in the Temple were listening. They didn't like Jesus. They thought that more people were listening to Jesus than to them. It felt like he was more popular than they were! They wanted Jesus to go away.
They decided to make Jesus look foolish in front of everyone. Maybe that would make him go home. Maybe everyone would forget about Jesus.
So they asked him a question. "Jesus, you are really good teacher. And you know a lot about God. Tell us – what is the best rule about how to be with God?"
Jesus knew that there were 10 rules about how to be with God, plus a whole lot of other things that Jewish people did to get close to God.
"The most important rule," he told them, "is to love God. Love God with your heart and your head. And love God from that place deep inside you where you are most fully you."
The leaders listened carefully.
Then Jesus said, "And there is another rule about being with God that is also important. Love your neighbor. Being with God is all about these two rules."
After that, none of the Temple leaders asked Jesus any more questions.
Questions for you to think and pray about:
Has anyone ever tried to make you look foolish? How did that feel to you?
Have you ever tried to make someone else look foolish? Why did you do that?
Do you have a name for that place deep inside you where you are most fully you?
How do you show your love for God?
Who is your neighbor? How do you show your love for others?