47 The Greatest Commandment

Instead of selecting any of the vast rabbinic laws, Jesus quotes what the Jews call the Shema. It is found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 11:13-21 and Numbers 15:37-41. It gets its name from the Hebrew word for “listen” which is shema. This word begins the sentences in the Hebrew text. These texts actually summarize the whole Law, similar to the first commandment in Exodus 20. This Hebrew Shema is recited twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening by observant Jews and is even posted on their doorposts and put into the phylacteries that the orthodox wear. The Lord Jesus always quoted from the Bible, The Word of God and not any of the rabbinic documents. Here He chose to emphasize the unity of the God Head who is to be loved supremely above anything else and with all of the power and capabilities, which we have. This quote by God and from God struck at the very center of the Pharisees self-righteous laws. A person’s total being must be applied to loving our God. When one loves God with this degree of focus and strength one can completely fulfil the commandments related to our direct or vertical responsibilities to God.