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Oct 1, 2017

As we prepare to consider the most important commandments that Jesus declared, let’s take a moment to silence the distraction inside of us. Let’s begin with a deep and relaxing breath. As you breathe in, feel all your muscles begin to unflex. You notice every part of your body and where it is. You feel where your body touches fabric and furniture. Allow that this moment causes you to create a space of quiet inside of you now. As you let the things of this world to fade, you feel a place of peace be prepared in your heart. Breath deeply now. Allow the things you feel you must do take a back seat to the things that God has in mind for you. Allow this moment to be dedicated to God and allow the desires he has for you, to guide you. Breathe deeply and slowly. Every muscle has begun to relax and is much softer that in was previously. Your mind is calm, your body feels more peaceful and will feel even better as you engage with God’s spirit through His word. As I read through the selected Bible verses, keep breathing deeply and allow God’s words to penetrate deep into your heart and soul.

Bible verse for meditation:

Matthew 22:34-40

NIV

34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, tested him with this question:

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

KJV

34 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.

35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,

36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Meditation on scripture / bible verse meditation:

What does this scripture mean to you?

What stuck out to you as you focused on the scripture?

This scripture is a great gift. We are not left to wonder about any hierarchy of commands. We are asked by Jesus to love God and each other. It is significant when Jesus says that this forms the basis for the Law and the Prophets. These are the Jewish references for the Torah which is the Law of Moses as contained in the first five books Christians refer to as the Old Testament. The Prophets refers to other parts of the Hebrew Bible such as the books of Isaiah and Jeremiah. His intention with this is that all of the Law and guidance given to all the prophets was to teach these two commands. To love God and to Love our fellow human beings.

This is not about personal preference. He taught in the Parable of the good Samaritan, that everyone can be considered our neighbor.  We cannot allow hate to reside in us. Jesus tells it as a command. Bearing an echo of the Ten Commandments the KJV has it written as ‘Thou shalt love’. Myself included. We must love. If we expect to receive the peace of God Jesus teaches that we cannot do so without having love for God above all, and also love for each other. If try and love God but secretly hold hate in our heart, we will miss out on the gift of God’s spirit. The more we are able to accept God’s love into our hearts and allow him to replace our stony hearts with hearts of flesh, we communicate our love for God and make ourselves open to receive His love. Let’s take this moment inside our hearts right now to reject the hate that we have secretly been guarding. Take a deep breath. Imagine that any corners of your heart that are guarding and preserving hate are cleared out. Imagine this blackness being washed away by God’s light that rushes in you as you focus on His word and breathe it deeply in. Ponder this command. ‘Thou Shalt Love’

Meditation of Prayer:

Pray as directed by the Spirit.

Ask for God’s help in developing pure love for Him and all of his creations.

Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm:

Imagine the love of God penetrating your heart and allowing it to open to all humankind.

Meditate and Visualize Positive Change in Your Life:

As we have now reflected on the Love of God penetrating their heart, there will likely be things in our lives that can change. I want to to visualize this change. Imagine what specific action you can take that will represent your renewed desire to love everyone. Maybe there is someone specific that you are thinking of. Maybe you are considering your way of interacting with people. Pick something specific that you can do differently now. Fully visualize the interactions that will occur with this insight. Imagine a life full of love. How will you behave differently after implementing this change.  

Visualize blessing someone else:

Now visualize someone or a group of people who need this message. Imagine what their face would look like as they receive this scripture in their hearts. Imagine how you can share it with them.

Conclusion:

I recommend printing these scriptures and placing them somewhere where you will see them each day. Spend time each day and reflect on what you have felt. Allow this scripture to guide your week.

I release a new episode of this every Sunday morning at 1AM Mountain time in the US.

You can help someone feel the peace you experienced here by sharing this podcast with those you care about. You can get more information about my podcast by visiting my website ChristianMeditationPodcast.com.

 

The promise of Jesus fills the gospels. As you learn to love God and those around you, you will be filled with His spirit of love and peace. God will bless our lives with His spirit if we obey his greatest two commandments. I say that in Jesus’ name Amen.

 

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