October 29 Matthew 22:34-46 Grand Commandments 21^st Sunday after Pentecost     Going from 1 to 10 commandments then back to 2.               Psalter reading Psalm 1:1-6

1   Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. 2   But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. 3   They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. 4 But not the wicked!  They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. 5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.  Sinners will have no place among the godly. 6   For the LORD watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

Psalm 1:1-6 NLT

34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again. 35 One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: 36 “ Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” 37   Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Whose Son Is the Messiah? 41 Then, surrounded by the Pharisees, Jesus asked them a question: 42  “ What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They replied, “He is the son of David.” 43 Jesus responded, “Then why does David, speaking under the inspiration of the Spirit, call the Messiah ‘my Lord’? For David said, 44 ‘ The LORD said to my Lord, Sit in the place of honor at my right hand  until I humble your enemies beneath your feet.’ 45  Since David called the Messiah ‘my Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?” 46   No one could answer him. And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Matthew 22:34-46 NLT

The world sees the 10 Commandments as a limitation and a threat.  So much that they try to eradicate it from every public place.  There is a great movement to keep the Bible out of the hands of people while the Qur’an and other “religious” books are part of school curriculum. THEY FEAR THE BIBLE!!!

When I served a congregation in a farming and dairy area I learned what the 10 Commandments really are.  Just as a farmer will fence in cattle to protect them so God uses the 10 Commandments to protect from our nature to “graze” on the wrong things that will and do destroy us!  Living in that safe pasture keeps us life and soul destroying pastures.

But God knew we couldn’t follow the 10 Commandments and they also show our need for someone to save us and that is Jesus the Christ who offered Himself for us!

So Jesus in our scripture shows us 2 Commandments that not only can we live in with Jesus but which Jesus lived out for us and before us!

Following these commandments:  “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Protect us from ourselves and as we live it out draws others to Jesus to experience God’s love and forgiveness!

Rest in the safety of Jesus and in living out the Commandments Jesus not only gave us but lived for us!!!