28 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:28-31, ESV)
Jesus I confess that I haven’t loved you or the people you have placed in my life with the kind of love you desire. Too often selfishness warps the way I love others and even you. I have loved pleasure, comfort, entertainment, and security more than I have loved you. But in all of my weakness and sinfulness you have loved me. My love may fail, but yours never will. My love is often incomplete, but yours is perfect. Your grace and mercy are new every morning. How great and wonderful is your love for people like me! Your love is steadfast and enduring, patient and generous. Help me to be enamored by your great love. What depths your love must reach, to endure a cross to demonstrate it and to reconcile me! I thank you for forgiving me, and today, Lord, I ask that you would strengthen me by your Spirit to love others as you have loved me. And may the way I talk, act, and live demonstrate a love for you. You don’t ask me to tell you that I love you, you ask me to live as if I love you. May I live that way today. I pray in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Shore Community Church 