[CYM] 4.0 Love God and Neighbour

In Matthew, Yeshua declares the greatest commandments: thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind and thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself (Matthew 22:37–39). This teaching occurs during a dialogue with a religious expert, emphasizing that love is the foundation of all the Law. Throughout book of Matthew, Yeshua reinforces love as the guiding principle for ethical behavior.

The book of Mark similarly highlights this double commandment as the most important of all (Mark 12:30–31). Yeshua stresses that loving God wholeheartedly and loving one’s neighbor is the essence of faith and fulfills all commandments. The book of Mark presents love as active and inclusive, breaking down barriers between people.

In the book of Luke, Yeshua teaches love with a strong emphasis on mercy and compassion, illustrated in the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37). Here, love transcends ethnic and religious boundaries, calling followers to care for all people, especially the marginalized and oppressed.

The book of John deepens the command to love by focusing on love among Yeshua’s followers and love for God. Yeshua commands, ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another (John 13:34), highlighting self-sacrificial love modeled on His own life. The book of John presents love as the defining mark of discipleship and unity with God.

Together, the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John present love for God and neighbor as the foundational commandment that shapes the believers’ life, ethics, and relationship with God.