G. Archer Frierson
Austin Seminary Board of Trustees
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Advent Devotional for December 10
• Matthew 22:34-40
Our Lord’s words—in response to the final question posed by the Pharisees—are all too familiar: “‘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.’” Jesus had a buffet from the Law of which to choose, but he offered up these two commandments, one from Deuteronomy, the other from Leviticus. Jesus landed on love.
The commandments and laws numbered in the hundreds—Maimonides listed 613—so it’s hard to guess which specific commandment the questioning Pharisee was expecting. Would Jesus say the greatest commandment is to honor father and mother? Do no wrong in buying or selling? Do not take revenge? Do not bear a grudge?
Jesus landed on love!
Jesus landed on love—and where he landed says a lot about our Creator’s hopes and expectations for the world. We can easily wade out into the thick of it, making sure we feed enough people … give a full ten percent of my full income … care specifically for the widows and orphans. While these are good commandments to follow, Jesus was less concerned about the specifics of the rules and laws. Jesus was more concerned about love.
Because of your love for them, care for your neighbors. Because of your love for your parents, honor them. Because of your love for God, don’t misuse God’s name. Jesus landed on love and encourages us to start there as we live out the commandments given to us.
As we wait with hope and expectation this Advent season, let us take time to identify where we’re starting from: are we in the rules and commandments —doing the things and checking the boxes—or are we living out of love in the things we do? May we live by Jesus’ words, loving God and neighbor with all our hearts, all our souls, and all our minds.
Mr. Sheth LaRue
Senior student from Salida, Colorado
For the glory of God and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a seminary in the Presbyterian-Reformed tradition whose mission is to educate and equip individuals for the ordained Christian ministry and other forms of Christian service and leadership; to employ its resources in the service of the church; to promote and engage in critical theological thought and research; and to be a winsome and exemplary community of God's people.We hope that you are preparing the way for the Lord in your life as you read these meditations and prayers. And, we hope this Advent season is a meaningful one for you. Please know that Austin Seminary’s dedicated, diverse, and loving community of faith is not complete without you. Did you know?
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