In Jesus’ preaching, as he taught the good news of salvation, he encountered different types of people; some received the message, but others confronted Him and did not accept the sermon He gave.
Therefore, we see in the book of Matthew, chapter 22, verses 37 to 40, how Jesus answers the Pharisees and Sadducees about the great commandment, since they asked him what the great commandment of the law was. Jesus answered them and put the Pharisees and Sadducees in their place:
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Matthew 22:37-40
In this chapter we can see that Jesus immediately answers these two interpreters of the law, who joined together to confront the Lord. Jesus told them: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the first and great commandment.
After having presented the first commandment, which must be fulfilled by everyone, Jesus spoke to them of the second commandment: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” because the whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.
It is interesting how Jesus speaks to them about something that they already knew, and this because they wanted to know if He really came from God. These Pharisees and Sadducees did not practice these commandments, and that is why we also see that Jesus exhorts them to fulfill them.
Brothers, we must love our God with all our heart, and love our neighbor as ourselves. We must fulfill this great teaching.
