Day 36 of Lent: April 15, 2025

Scripture: Matthew 21:23–27; 22:34–40

“‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind... And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” – Matthew 22:36–39

As if Monday’s table flipping with the money changers and merchants along with the verbal sparring in the temple courtyard with the religious authorities was not drams enough; on Tuesday Jesus reenters the temple grounds for more conflict and intense confrontations with the Pharisees and Sadducees. 

The gospel writers tell us Jesus spends Tuesday teaching in the temple courts, where he continues to challenge the religious leaders and power brokers. It is clear these folks have not learned their lesson and continue to try to attack, discredit, and ambush Jesus through there verbal sparring.

For example, they ask, “By what authority are you doing these things?” they ask. “Who gave you this authority?”

Please know they are not asking because they want to understand—these are questions designed to trap. You see if they can get him to say the wrong thing, he will condemn himself by either speaking treason or blasphemy.

But Jesus, as always, responds not with defensiveness but with discernment. He answers with parables, teachings, and questions of his own, revealing their hypocrisy while pointing to a deeper truth.

One of the most powerful moments on this day comes when a Pharisee, an expert in the law, asks Jesus to name the greatest commandment.

“Out of the more than 600 commandments in the Torah, Jesus, which is most important?”

Without hesitation and I imagine with no wavering in his voice, Jesus responds - love. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, body, and mind. And love your neighbor as yourself. Everything else - the laws, the prophets, the traditions—hang on these two commandments.”

In a week when his own life is on the line, Jesus centers everything on love.

It is essential to know this isn’t sentimental love. It’s not some softhearted sentimental 80’s ballad love song.

This is a sacrificial love that will soon wash the feet of friends, stand silent before accusers, carry a cross up a hill, and forgive even while dying a brutal state and religion sponsored execution.

 It is a love rooted in courage, sacrifice, and truth.

Holy Tuesday reminds us that Christian love isn’t just some passive feeling—it’s an active choice. It’s not confined to our private spirituality but is centered in what we do and in how we treat one another.

As Jesus prepares to lay down his life, he doesn’t debate doctrine or defend his rights—he calls us to radical love.

As the great theologian and Biblical commentator William Barclay declared. “Love is the key to the kingdom—not doctrine, not ritual, but love that reflects the heart of God.”

Friends, our call to love, for indeed it is love that matters most.

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Alleluia. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• How are you and I being challenged to love more fully?

• Are there areas in your life where it is difficult to love others? What practices might help you in overcoming those difficulties?

• How does Jesus’ definition of love reframe your understanding of faith?