"Let First Be First"

  He was a lawyer and came to Jesus asking Him, to test Him: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" We might expect such a question from a lawyer! But there is more than meets the eye and ear here. The answer Jesus gave must have astounded this man. This wasn't what he was expecting to hear but before we speak of that we need to see something else.

  At the center of  the nation of Israel was a tabernacle. The heart of Jerusalem was tied to the temple. We see God at the center. The worshiping of His name and recognition of His mercy toward His people was the heart beat. The center of the camp of God was a house where God was worshiped and adored. Worship of God is so vital to the heart and growth of His people. It always has been. The approach to God's name to worship could be in vain and void because the worshipers could be selfish, sinful or just going through empty motions. Just read through Isaiah 1 and see God's attitude toward such. They were completely rejected.

  Here we are today and it seems less and less that people place on worship. More emphasis on man. Excuses fly right and left. The heart of some of the "called out" have become insensitive and dull. As Jesus answered the lawyers question  He didn't give the second greatest first!! Too many today are giving first place to what Jesus said was second: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." I'm not trying to put less emphasis on the words of Jesus but He did say this was the second. We must not give first place to the second. First should always be first: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." (Matt. 22:37-39) Let's keep our priorities in the proper place. We need to be concerned about how we relate and live with one another. We need to to know what it means to love one another as God is love (I John 4:7-8). But Jesus said the first and foremost concern had to be how each one of us stands in relation to God!! The Church must make certain the involvement is around God and loving Him with all our being or things start getting out of whack. If God isn't given His rightful place in the heart and soul of man, the human family won't enjoy His blessings (Phil. 2:5-8)