Matthew 22:35-40
“35 One of them, an expert in the law, 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.”
There’s something refreshing about getting back to the basics. In a world overflowing with noise, opinions, and endless priorities, Jesus cuts through the clutter with stunning clarity. When asked to identify the greatest commandment, He doesn’t hesitate. He doesn’t complicate. He doesn’t create a list of 613 rules to memorize. Instead, He brings everything down to two simple, life-shaping truths:
Love God. Love people.
That’s it. That’s the center. That’s the main thing.
Before we can talk about priorities, habits, spiritual disciplines, or life goals, we have to start where Jesus starts. What matters most? What is the foundation for everything else? Jesus tells us plainly: Love God with all you are, and love your neighbor as yourself. Everything else flows from these two commandments.
When we get this right, everything else begins to fall into place. When we get this wrong, everything else begins to fall apart.
Religious leaders in Jesus’ day had built an intricate system of rules, interpretations, and traditions. It was heavy. It was confusing. It was exhausting. But Jesus takes this complicated structure and distills it into two clear priorities — love for God and love for people.
Not because the other commandments don’t matter, but because these two commandments give meaning to all the others. They are the heartbeat of God’s law.
We often talk about love as an emotion, but Jesus describes love as devotion. Loving God means obedience, trust, and relationship. It’s not about momentary spiritual highs; it’s about a life oriented toward Him — heart, soul, and mind.
It’s choosing God when it’s easy and when it’s not. It’s aligning our desires with His. It’s letting His voice shape our decisions, values, and identity.
Jesus doesn’t give us the luxury of separating love for God from love for people. According to Him, the second commandment is “like” the first. In other words, how we treat people reveals how we truly feel about God.
We can’t claim to love God while ignoring, dismissing, or mistreating the people He created. We can’t worship passionately on Sunday and wound others carelessly on Monday. Love for people is the evidence of love for God.
Churches lose their way when they forget this. Families fracture when they forget this. Individuals drift when they forget this. Love is not one priority among many — it is the priority that shapes all the others.
If we want to get back to basics, this is where we begin. If we want to grow spiritually, this is where we start. If we want to live lives that reflect Jesus, this is the foundation.
Love God. Love people. It’s simple. It’s challenging. It’s transformative. And it’s the main thing.
Reflection Questions
What competes with your love for God?
Who is God calling you to love more intentionally?
How would your life change if these two commandments shaped every decision?
Other Post in this series…
So good! This really just helped me focus on what is holding my love for God back. And who I need to intentionally love to show God‘s love to others.
I’ve had a complicated relationship with someone I feel I should love easily. At times I’ve joked that I only love them “10% for Jesus’ sake,” because my heart has felt so hardened by everything between us. “Back to the Basics” reminded me that I don’t have to force myself to “get over it.” I just need to love God, and the rest will flow from there. Jesus really does simplify what I tend to make complicated.
Love this!
I recently went through a season of dismantling everything I’ve ever known about living the Christian life because it was such a legalistic mindset that left me feeling trapped and many times confused. Understanding that Christianity is this simple helped me so so much. Your post is so encouraging and a beautiful reminder of how we should love every single day!
❤️ I feel it now more than ever, the need to get back to the simple art of loving.
These are some life-changing truths! I cannot stop thinking about this one: “Jesus simplifies what we complicate.” Yes!!!
❤️ Right, this was something I needed reminded of.
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