While we are on the subject of equations, we must not forget to consider the Bible’s most difficult equation. No, it is not the one for which somebody recently received a global award. The sedate-looking gentleman solved a math problem that had baffled egg-heads like himself for sixty years. Tough as that problem must have been, it is nothing compared to the Biblical injunction to love your neighbor as yourself.
What was Jesus thinking?! How could He place that most difficult equation on us? Oh, He assumed we could be like His Father and Him, who gave up His glory to die for sinners. Romans 5.8 says, “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” What?! A sinless God died for horrible sinners. And it was His way of demonstrating love. No wonder He believed He had the right to ask us to address ourselves, who claim to follow Him, to this most difficult equation. We are to love others as we love ourselves.
Think about it for a moment. You buy a bottle of perfume for yourself and then remember your close friend. Your conscience prompts you to buy him a bottle. But what do you do? You start looking for a cheaper bottle to take back to your friend. And that is the best of us; others would not even consider their friend at the point of parting with money.
This Most Difficult Equation Is Half Of The Greatest Commandment
You may be tempted to think that if those loudmouth disciples had not asked Jesus for the greatest commandment, we could have been spared this most difficult equation. But I doubt we can truly blame them because Jesus would have found another way to make His point: Love God as number one, and then, transmit that same love to others.
Sadly for those of us who find it tough to love others, it was not even Jesus’ idea when, in Luke 12.31, He answered His disciples’ question. He took it from the Old Testament injunction in Leviticus 19.18: “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”
So, this most difficult equation is not only a New Testament idea. It was a big part of God’s idea from the very beginning. Why do we say it is a big part? Anytime you see “I am the Lord” after a commandment, we need to pay attention. God wants us to operate in reverential fear regarding that particular rule. It is not a rule to joke about, which leaves us in a very difficult position.
How can you possibly love people of other races, genders, colors, and cultures? What about people of different social levels, educational attainments, and hygiene levels, as your well-cultured self? As if that were not tough enough, Jesus had to go and make this love business a visible demonstration of our love for God. He implied you cannot claim to love God unless you love others as you love yourself. Observe that the Bible talks, not of loving others as this post does, but of loving your neighbor.
What Is Impossible For Man Is Possible With God
But since the parable of the Good Samaritan refers to your neighbor as someone of a different race, wounded and helpless, we believe that extends to everybody. So, we see this most difficult equation expecting us to love all others as we love ourselves, and we groan. Silently, we tell God, “But that is impossible.” How does God respond to our complaint? From experience (I complain a lot, but only to God), I can imagine Him saying, “Of course, it is impossible.”
You wait for an explanation, and God does not disappoint as He continues: “The things that are impossible with man are possible with God.” You have been around God long enough to know that is all He would say about that. He expects you to know you must be in Jesus and have Jesus in you for impossible things to become possible.
At that point, unless you are sure you have made Jesus number one in your life, you quickly invite Jesus in. You not only invite Him as a house owner invites a guest, but you give Him the control of the entire house (your life). Suddenly, you discover that this most difficult equation looks easy. Why, you can readily love that man who, until now, seemed horrible.
You forgive him, look past his perceived faults, and love him, almost as yourself. Loving your neighbor as yourself does not happen in one instant, but at least you have started. Congratulations on having the engine of love (Jesus) inside of you. You are finally ready for Heaven, where you shall see Him face to face.
Maranatha!
