Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Matthew 22:34-40

Highlight Verse:

“Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭37‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I am currently preparing a message for middle school students that focuses on this verse. In it, Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:5.

But there is a slight difference.

Matthew records Jesus’ words in Greek.

The original Hebrew word for love is “aháb”. That’s as generic as “love”.

In the Greek, Matthew reports the word “Agapao” which is a much stronger word. Its meaning is more like “all encompassing, self sacrificial love.”

Either way, Jesus places great emphasis on a strong form of the word “love.”

We would do well to follow His lead.