When asked to identify "the greatest commandment in the law," Jesus' reply undoubtedly surprised his questioner (Matt. 22:36). In the assumed likelihood of Christ's addressing one of the more commonly emphasized "Thou shalt nots," his inquirer could then, with a sense of self-righteousness, assert his compliance with the most significant of spiritual requisites.
It did not quite work out that way, however. Having posed the question, the lawyer (i.e., expert in Mosaic law) found Jesus' answer of loving God with a totality of being (here quoting Deut. 6:5)and, secondly, of loving one's neighbor as himself (Lev. 19:28), troubling. Indeed, the need to "justify himself" in relation to the latter injunction indicated the degree to which our Lord's answer had hit home. We all know the story.
Scripture repeatedly associates a meaningful love for God with an attendant sense of commitment to the interests and well being of others as well. The Church has frequently experienced difficulty here; those of a more "liberal" bent frequently stressing the latter emphasis to a point of essentially ignoring the first. At the same time, it has not been unknown for more conservative elements within the Church to become so engaged in "being spiritual" as to neglect the horizontal dimension of Christ's directive.
As those of an evangelical perspective, we do well to frequently revisit Jesus' statement that "When the Son of Man comes in his glory (here see John 14:28 NIV: "I am going away and I am coming back to you")... all the nations" (i.e., everybody, including the Church to which he here returns) will be gathered before him" and shall give answer, not only with regard to having shared the Gospel with its transcendent values and objectives, but of having ministered to the temporal needs
of others as well (Matt. 25:31-32).
This reflects the fact that much of Jesus' initial teachings (Sermon on the Mount, for example) dealt with societal concerns and personal relationships - hence his summary exhortation to "do unto others" that which we, in return, would desire from them. (As contrasted to some contemporary church offering appeals, Luke further notes Christ's observation here that it is "men" who, in response to our beneficient quality of spirit, will then minister to our needs and concerns in "good measure...and running over" (Luke 6:38).
Simply put: Christ was never so far removed from either spiritual or practical aspects of the faith as some have imagined.
And finally: To those who, in the interests of serving others, have met the reciprocal criterion of Matthew 25:31-46, "the King will then say...'Come you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world'" (vs. 34).
We do well to ponder our Lord's words at this juncture.
Burl Ratzsch
