1 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, 2 saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sat on Moses’ seat. 3 All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do. 4 For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them. 5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad, enlarge the fringes of their garments, 6 and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ by men. 8 But don’t you be called ‘Rabbi,’ for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers. 9 Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ. 11 But he who is greatest among you will be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Matthew 22:34-40 - World English Bible

Sometimes I ask my students, “What is the most important rule at school?” Out of the many answers they give me, the one everyone eventually settles on is “Respect.”

The Pharisees tested Jesus with the same question but, not only did they want to see what he would say, they wanted to grasp his logic. How did he prioritize the commandments. How did he envision the Law. With these tools, they could find the weaknesses in Jesus' view and attack him.

So, how did Jesus see the Torah? He reduced the “Law and the prophets” (the Hebrew scriptures) down to two verses: Deuteronomy 6:5 (know as the “Shema”) and Leviticus 19:18. “Shema” meant “Hear;” it was the first word in Deuteronomy 6:4-5, “ Hear, Israel: Yahweh is our God. YHWH is one. You shall love YHWH your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.” This verse demanded not just faith or even fidelity, but devotion to God. In other words, put God first in life. He deserved ultimate respect.

Jesus also spoke to one's relationships with others. Here, he quoted Leviticus 19:18, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” This verse stood at the height of the chapter that invoked the name of YHWH more times that any other chapter in the Law (hence, it was called the “Holiness Codes.”) In fact, according to an old rabbinic story, if someone took the Torah scroll, rolled it out and folded it in half, one could see Leviticus 19:18 on the fold crease; it was the center of the Law. At its core, then, the Law addressed relationships with others with the word “respect.”

Jesus molded these two verses with the common thread of love. But what did this word mean? Love was more than a feeling, it was a way of treating God and others, a behavior of heartfelt respect.

What is the most important commandment then? Love, but in a way that gives God and others their due. In other words, “Respect.”

How have you kept the “Great Commandment” this week?