Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Jesus answered, ‘The first is, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 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.””
NL Daily Devotion for Sunday, March 22, 2020
by Dr. Kimberly Leetch, Clergy Stuff
Main Idea: Love is demonstrated by an outward expression of action.
The religious leaders of Jesus’ day worked hard to do what was needed to make God happy with them. Unfortunately, their efforts were so inwardly focused (and outwardly judgmental), they missed the mark by a mile.
When questioned by a scribe about the greatest commandment (read: which commandment will earn me the most brownie points?), Jesus lifted up two from the Deuteronomic Shema: love God, and from Leviticus 19:18, love others. While Jesus clearly modeled loving self also, he didn’t lift it up here, and certainly never suggested loving self over others. (For the sake of our own health, let’s be clear: self-care can be necessary for loving self for the sake of others—we cannot care for others if we neglect caring for ourselves.)
Loving God and loving others looked quite different from what the religious leaders of the day thought. It was not about public displays of grand religious gestures. It was in the subtler, unrecognized displays of gratitude, generosity, and selflessness as shown by the poor widow who gave more than she could really afford. Although the amount was smaller, the percentage was much greater. Her offering would be a greater sacrifice than the offerings of those with plenty to give.
The widow’s gift was more equitable than equal to the leaders’ gifts. Maybe even today we might stop comparing ourselves to others about what we are able to offer to God and to God’s children. We might think we are better or worse than others at giving of ourselves. But we need only compete against ourselves. Can I do better for me regardless of what others are doing?
Am I giving God and God’s world the best of me? What about you?
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