Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (NIVUK)
4 Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
On Sunday we thought about the parable of the Good Samaritan. In this an expert on the law asks Jesus what he has to do to inherit eternal life – to be part of God’s restored kingdom or God’s family. Jesus gets him to give his thoughts first. He answers by quoting two sections of the Old Testament. The first is Deuteronomy 6:5, which is part of the famous Jewish prayer and pledge of allegiance, the shema. To be part of God’s people, we’re called to love him with our entire being, not just our emotions, nor just our intellect, nor just our will power, but with every part of us and in every part of our lives.
Which parts of your life do you find it easy to give to God or use to praise and serve him? Which do you find it hard?
Lord, you might be ‘one’, wholly committed in your love and work, but we find it hard. Help us to learn to love/serve you with every part of our lives.
Original photo by Gleren Meneghin on Unsplash
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