Leviticus 19-22
There it is in today’s reading. Do you see it? Admittedly, it’s a bit inconspicuous. There are no neon signs pointing the way. There is no thundering voice from heaven, no trumpet call to draw attention. It’s just there in the midst of other rules and regulations. It’s a short little statement, not even a whole verse. It is almost just casually thrown in. Yet it is utterly foundational: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Lev. 19:18)
Jesus says that to love the LORD (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) is the greatest commandment and that this commandment to love one’s neighbor is like it, adding, “On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (See Mt. 22:35-40; Mk. 12:28-34; Lk. 10:25-37.) Saint Paul likewise affirms that idea, saying that the whole law is summed up in loving one’s neighbor. (Rom. 13:9; Gal. 5:14)
Sometimes the most important things in life are hidden away in plain sight, lost in the midst of other details. So it is here. How easy it would be to miss this second greatest commandment! We need to pay attention. We need to diligently search for truth and wisdom, as for treasure. We need to rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit and to truly seek the heart of God as we read through the Scriptures.
In noting our need to search for hidden gems, let’s not miss the actual commandment: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Let me just say that it is much more challenging to love the person next to me — my neighbor — than it is to convince myself that I love everyone. Loving “all those people out there” is easy. They are all just imaginary. Or maybe I can just write a check to support some distant program. Truly loving my annoying neighbor, though, whose dog barks in the middle of the night and poops in my yard, well, that’s a different story…
Whew, we’ve had a lot of regulations for sacrifices and relationships. I admit that I get lost in them.
But as Jesus so beautifully pointed out, they all boil down to how we relate to God (with fear, trembling, awe, obedience, and humility) and how we relate to the people next to us (like we would want to be treated).
I can understand that. And then I can immediately see how I fall short and need my Savior…
And yet that one little phrase has been misread/misinterpreted over the years–“…as yourself.” Do I (you) love myself, (yourself)? I was told so many things over the years, put others above you, don’t think you’re better than others and then in the 70’s the message was for women to put themselves first then they would be able to meet the demands of their family life. Media sources scream ME FIRST! all day long.
I love God, my family, my friends, but do I truly love myself, not in a vain way but an accepting way? God wants us to love others, to accept our neighbors and love them as they are and to also love ourselves that way. Why? Because this is how He loves us.