“Shema”, meaning “hear”, is the Hebrew word used by the Jewish faith to designate one of the most famous passages of scripture: “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God , the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:2-5)

These are words spoken by Moses to the Israelites just before they were to enter the Promised Land. In everything the people experienced and lived through, they never forgot the words, though they sometimes wandered far from obeying them.

When Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment, he answered with the Shema, and added, “The second is like this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. . . There is no greater commandment than these.’” The man who questioned Jesus responded, “Well said, teacher,. . . these are more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”(Mark 12:32-34). Jesus answered, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” To understand the Shema and to live it in our lives is to be close to God’s kingdom and to His son.

Those words of Jesus ended all argument toward him and dispersed the crowd. The primacy of Love in the kingdom of God was indisputable to scribes and Pharisees questioning Jesus. They had not forgotten Moses’ words from centuries ago.

Jesus’ ministry on earth was to prove to be a living out of the Shema. In all his miracles, Jesus displayed the love of God. The healings, the feedings, the walking on water, stilling the storm, restoring the dead, all demonstrated deep love for his “neighbors.”

Jesus’ unconditional, intimate prayer to his Father God: “Abba, Father, everything is possible for you,. . . yet not what I will, but what you will, be done,”(Luke 22:42) is the most profound demonstration of Shema in all the history of salvation. It culminates Jesus’ time with his disciples on earth just before his death on the cross.

That same evening Jesus included the disciples in the Shema: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my father’s commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that your joy may be complete. My command is this: ‘Love one another as I have loved you.’”(John 15:9-12)

Love in Him,and Shalom

Prue