The greatest commandment

In the Bible we find a text where Jesus speaks to the pharisees about “the greatest commandment”, and it is very important to take into account the adjective “greatest”, which expresses greatness in power and importance. We all know how religious the pharisees and scribes used to be, to whom Jesus once had to rebuke them using the word “hypocrites”, claiming that they were good at cleaning the outside but inside they were whitewashed tombs.

Today we have many people similar to these religious, who are only interested in certain rules and customs, but forget the most important commandment, which is the one that Jesus dedicates in the following words:

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

38 This is the first and greatest commandment.

Matthew 22:36-38

Without a doubt this is the great commandment that God has taught us through his Word: Love the Lord with our whole being and really this is much more than just attending church (which is necessary) or doing certain charitable works.

It is good to emphasize why Jesus responds in this way to the pharisees and scribes and for that we must take into account what was mentioned in the introduction to this article, the pharisees were much more interested in norms and customs, forgetting and neglecting their inside, and for this reason Jesus uses this comment to make them understand that it is not enough to be clean on the outside if they do not really love the Lord with their whole being.

Loving God is our main purpose as christians, since if we love Him, everything else will be less heavy. Let us love God more than our own lives and in this way we will show a better version of what a true Christian or child of God really is.

When Jesus confronted these religious leaders, He revealed a profound truth: spirituality is not measured by outward rituals, but by the disposition of the heart. The pharisees knew the law, memorized verses, and practiced ceremonies, yet they lacked genuine love for God. This contrast highlights that loving God is not a superficial act but an inward transformation that reaches every area of our being. Many people today still confuse religious activity with true devotion, forgetting that the Lord examines the heart before the hands.

To love God with all our heart means that our emotions, desires, and intentions are submitted to Him. It involves cultivating a relationship that is sincere and constant. Loving Him with all our soul speaks of dedication, identity, and purpose, recognizing that our existence belongs to Him. And loving Him with all our mind includes allowing His Word to shape our thoughts, decisions, and worldview. This commandment is not divided into three parts, but rather reveals the wholeness with which we must surrender to God.

When we fail to love God in this way, we risk becoming like those pharisees who appeared righteous but lacked true spiritual substance. It is easy to fall into the trap of routine—practicing our faith mechanically, attending services without reverence, or helping others without true compassion. God desires something deeper than performance. He longs for intimacy, for a relationship in which we seek Him daily, acknowledge His presence, and depend on Him with humility.

Moreover, when Jesus identifies this as the greatest commandment, He places love as the foundation of all obedience. If love for God is alive in us, then following His commandments becomes a joyful act rather than a burden. The Christian walk becomes lighter when love is the engine behind our actions. This is why believers who genuinely love God often demonstrate unwavering commitment, even in trials, because they understand that their devotion flows from gratitude and not mere obligation.

Another powerful aspect of this passage is that Jesus connects love with totality. He does not ask for partial affection or selective devotion. He calls us to a love that displaces idols, that seeks Him above success, comfort, or personal plans. When we learn to love God more than our own lives, as the Scripture calls us to do, then we begin to experience freedom from the expectations of this world. Our lives acquire direction, purpose, and stability, for nothing anchors the soul better than loving the Creator Himself.

Finally, this greatest commandment is also a mirror. It invites us to evaluate whether our spiritual life reflects authentic love or simply tradition. It challenges us to deepen our intimacy with God and to cultivate a heart that honors Him in secret and in public. Loving God is the essence of Christianity, the source of true transformation, and the mark of every genuine disciple. When this love governs our lives, then we fulfill the highest calling given to humanity.