DAY 16 | CHOOSE LOVEž ž ž

centering thought

“Love demands a direct object. We cannot accomplish ‘love’ on our own …”

encouragement from God’s word 

Read: MARK 12:28-31

devotional direction

When pressed by religious leaders of the day, Jesus elevated a duo of commandments above all other commands he’d endorsed. “The greatest commandment,” he said, is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength ...” 

At this point, perhaps Jesus paused for effect, as those religious leaders nodded like bobbleheads, affirmed in their pious stance before God. But despite the leaders asking for the most important commandment—singular—Jesus was only halfway done. “The second is equally important,” he continued. “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Love our neighbors as ourselves? the leaders must have thought. But they are unrighteous! They are unruly! They are unclean!

The irony here would have been tough to miss. Here were self-proclaimed masters of spiritual excellence, seemingly incapable of manifesting the one characteristic that Jesus said would define all followers of his: love. 

That’s it. Love would be the mark of the believer. Yes, you can know and follow all the ritualistic rules. But do you follow the rule of love?

“When you are tempted to isolate,” it’s as if Jesus said, “in that moment, love.”

“When you are tempted to segregate, choose instead to love.”

“When you are tempted to neglect or cast aside, show up and extend real love.”

“When you are tempted to seek vengeance, lay down your weapons and decide to love.”

If we wish to be people of the Way, we will choose the way of love. 

question to ponder

What if you went into this day believing that you are capable of manifesting great love?