Why does Jesus place commandments to actively love above commandments to refrain from evil (thou shall not???)? Note: Jesus answered with two quotations from the Jewish law about loving God (Deuteronomy 6:4), and about loving neighbors (Leviticus 19:18)
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Love your neighbor
In the ancient world, was it better to be born a girl or a boy? It was better to be born a boy. One historian writes:
  • Exposure of unwanted female infants ''the practice of just abandoning them until they would die outside somewhere'' was legal, morally accepted, widely practiced by all social classes in the Greco-Roman world.

    This is a letter that I just read this week. It was written during the first century by a Roman husband to his wife. Apparently, she was pregnant. This is what he writes:

  • Know that I am still in Alexandria. I beg you to take good care of our baby son. If you are delivered of a child before I come home, if it is a boy, keep it. If it is a girl, discard it. You have sent me word, ?Don't forget me.? How could I forget you? I beg you not to worry.

    This is a guy who thinks of himself as a good husband , loves his wife.

    There's a new community that remembers that Jesus treated women differently. He taught them when no other rabbi would teach a woman. He valued them. He included them in His community. He thought that all of life was sacred. Jesus, when asked what was the greatest commandment, said:

  • This is the heart of the whole deal. ''The fundamental commandment in Judaism was from Deuteronomy 6:4, the shema'': Hear O Israel, the Lord our God the Lord is one. Him shall you love with all your heart, your soul, your strength. ''Deuteronomy 6: 4-5'' and ''Mark 12: 29-30''

    Then Jesus adds to it, as a sign of His great authority, the second great commandment found in Leviticus:

  • Love your neighbor as yourself. ''Leviticus 19:18'' and ''Mark 12:31''

    All of life is sacred. All of life is to be revered. Little girl babies as well as little boy babies were prized in this new community. They were not discarded.



    By: John Ortberg
    Category: Why does Jesus place commandments to actively love above commandments to refrain from evil (thou shall not???)? Note: Jesus answered with two quotations from the Jewish law about loving God (Deuteronomy 6:4), and about loving neighbors (Leviticus 19:18)
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