It may seem a little strange to us that a scribe would ask Jesus, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” We’re familiar with the Ten Commandments, so the question might appear unnecessary. But for the Jewish people, the commandments, are the entire Mosaic Law. The teachings found in the first five books of the Bible, known as the Torah. Within these books are over 600 laws that govern nearly every aspect of life. These laws not only shaped daily living but also served as a visible sign that the Jewish people belonged to God, setting them apart from the surrounding nations.

With that understanding, the scribe’s question makes more sense. With so many commandments, which one truly matters most? Jesus answers by quoting the Shema, a prayer recited by Jews every morning and evening:

“Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”

Then He adds a second: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Jesus Himself would have grown up praying the Shema every day. But as a man, He went beyond simply reciting it He fulfilled it entirely, not just in words, but in His own body. Because we, by our own strength, are unable to fully love God in this way, Jesus does it for us, on our behalf.

To show us how to love God completely, Jesus became one of us fully human, yet without sin. Only He could love God with His whole being. And when we look at the Cross, we see how He did this.

• He loved God with all His mind. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked three times if the cup of suffering could pass from Him, yet He surrendered each time: “Not my will, but yours be done.” His mind, His reason, was pierced, by the crown of thorns forced onto His head.
• He loved God with all His strength. The strength of a man lies in his hands and feet. Jesus gave up that strength when they were nailed to the Cross, rendering Him completely helpless, yet totally surrendered.
• He loved God with all His heart. Instead of having His legs broken, as was Roman custom to hasten death, Jesus’ side was pierced with a lance. From His heart flowed blood and water. A sign of His love poured out to the very end.

And He did all of this out of love for you and me, His neighbors.

On the Cross, Jesus cried out, “Father, into Your hands I commend my Spirit.” This was not a cry of defeat it was a gift. He was saying: “Father, I give You the Spirit, the one that has loved You with everything. Now give it to them.”
Through His death and resurrection, the Holy Spirit is given to us freely. And by that Spirit, we are empowered to love God and to love others as Jesus did. So that through our lives, others might come to know that they are loved unconditionally.