In 32 words Jesus sums up the meaning of life. In 32 words Jesus defines the scope and purpose of our existence on the earth. In just 32 words Jesus defines what a successful marriage looks like. In 32 words Jesus defines an effective family. All sixty-six books of the Bible can be defined with these 32 words.
Have you ever attended one of those philosophy classes in high school or college that discuss the meaning of life? In such classes the professor waxes on and on about Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, Kant, Nietzsche, and Socrates. If he’s slightly enlightened, he might give five minutes, but no more, to Jesus. After all there might be an atheist in the class and who would want to offend the class atheist?
It was the great Methodist missionary to India, E. Stanley Jones, who said that if we only followed this one statement of Jesus that all the world’s problems would be solved. Billy Graham once said that these words of Christ defined everything the world needs. Every war, all poverty, all injustice could be alleviated by living these 32 words. 32 words! No more, no less.
It is the final week of Jesus’ life and once again another scribe asked Jesus a question. Finally instead of sarcasm a Jewish leader who asks with sincerity, “Which is the first commandment of all?”
Jesus said, and you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. (And the second, like it, is this): ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Mark 12:30-31 NKJV)
32 words that would change your life. If we lived those 32 words for the rest of our life, a revolution would start in our own hearts that could transform our marriage, our family, our community, our city, our nation, and the entire world. I want to live it, not just read about it. How about you?
On the Road,
Steve Holt
Pastor-Teacher
The Road
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