Key Verse: "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
- Matthew 22:40 KJV
When asked which commandment was the greatest, Jesus did not hesitate. He did not choose a ceremonial law or a complex rule. He chose love. These two commandments are not suggestions. They are the foundation. Jesus said that all the Law and the Prophets hang on them. Every command, every teaching, every moral instruction flows from loving God and loving others.
Key Verse: "Go, gather together all
the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither
eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast
likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to
the law: and if I perish, I perish."
- Esther 4:16 KJV
When we are in darkness, under distress of conscience, or
when guilt lies hard and heavy upon the soul, these things do, and must
until removed, keep us back from the Lord. But are we ever to give heed to
these enemies of our soul's peace? Are we never to press through the crowd?
How was it with the man who was paralyzed for so many years? He might
forever have lain helpless upon his bed, had he not been brought into the
presence of Jesus. How with the woman with the issue of blood? She might
forever have tarried on the skirts of the crowd, a poor, polluted,
self-condemned wretch. But she pressed through the crowd, and got to touch
the hem of Jesus' garment.
Key Verse: "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:"
- Matthew 13:47 KJV
The parable of the net cast into the sea was calculated
particularly to interest the disciples, many of whom were fishermen. They
were accustomed, after the toils of the day, to sort the fish they had
taken. This employment affords a lively image of the distinctions that will
be made at the last day. The net represents the word of the Gospel, which is
preached to many, and which many profess to believe. The
disciples were shortly to begin the work of preaching it. Great success
would accompany their endeavors; but yet that success would be attended by
much disappointment. Many to whom they preached would prove hypocrites.
Some of these would be detected in their lifetime, but others not
until the judgment-day.
Key Verse: "Therefore, my beloved
brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of
the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the
Lord."
- 1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV
Jesus walks no more among men, doing his deeds of love—but he sends his followers forth to do the works in his name. We ought to abound in all loving ministry just as he did. It is not enough to be good, gentle, sweet, amiable, kindly, patient. It is beautiful to live such a life; and its influence is far-reaching, like the fragrance of Mary's ointment. But we must also be full of good works. We must be winners of souls. We must live to do good to men, to comfort sorrow, to feed hunger, to relieve distress, to cheer the disheartened, to break chains and liberate sin's captives, to stand up for the truth, to do battle for the right. We are to be like Christ, and we begin to be like Christ—only when we begin to be useful.
Key Verse: "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." - Hebrews 12:6 KJV
What! God loves me — when He is discharging His quiver upon me — when He is emptying me from vessel to vessel — when He is causing the sun of my earthly joys to set in clouds? Yes! O afflicted, tempest-tossed one, He chastens you — because He loves you! This trial comes from His own tender, loving hand — from His own tender, unchanging heart!
Key Verse: "And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:"
- Mark 12:10 KJV
Why does the world reject the Savior of the world? Why do they abhor him who is altogether lovely—and hate him who is the best Friend of mankind? Had I the tongue of a cherub, which has heard the language of glory, and mingled in the discourse of the multitudes before the throne for these five thousand years; or could I talk in every tongue, extend my voice to every nation, and speak so loud and long, that the assembled universe should hear—what should be my theme, my darling, favorite theme? Surely the Son of God, the Savior of the world. How would I dwell on his divine nature, and enlarge on his enrapturing relationship to his people—until all the needy nations fell prostrate adorers before the throne of their kinsman-Redeemer, and their God!
Key Verse: "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
- Romans 5:8 KJV
The Scriptures are very clear that the wrath of God is visited upon sinners or else that the Son of God dies for them. Either sinners are punished for their sins or else there takes place a substitution. Either the sinner dies or the substitute dies.
Bible Reading: Matthew 22:32-40 KJV Key Verse: " On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. " - Matthe...
