Matthew 22:34-46 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 22:34-46 on biblegateway.com
Verse 34When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, Verse 35and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. Verse 36"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" Verse 37He said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' Verse 38This is the greatest and first commandment. Verse 39And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Verse 40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
Verse 41Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: Verse 42"What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?" They said to him, "The son of David." Verse 43He said to them, "How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying, Verse 44'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet"'? Verse 45If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?" Verse 46No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.
Devotion
Wayne (and his father before him) had farmed a narrow strip of land for decades. But Dennis had the land surveyed and moved the fence to claim his property. Wayne moved it back.
This provoked harsh words and threats. Both men were ready to sue, even if it cost thousands of dollars, over this worthless strip of land.
These two farmers snarled at each other over the table. I asked them to pray with me and then for each to tell me his side of the argument. I spoke of God’s injunction to “love your neighbor” and deal directly and fairly with one another. We weren’t getting anywhere.
Then Dennis spoke up, “OK, he can farm the land, if he’ll admit it is mine and pay me $1.00 each year.” Wayne nodded and opened his wallet. They shook hands and left.
But as he left, Dennis said, “Don’t make me do that again.”
Prayer
Patient God, anger can get in the way of being a good neighbor. Help us to deal honestly, patiently and lovingly with our neighbors, even when we must do so again and again. Amen.