Law and Love 2

One day, an impatient Gentile asked Hillel to explain the entire Torah while standing on one foot.  Hillel’s response was brilliant:  

Whatever is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow.  This is the whole Torah and the rest is commentary.  Go and learn it. - Hillel in the Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 31a

Jesus complements Hillel’s teaching with his own. It’s not a replacement, but rather another perspective on this idea of loving others well. Jesus says:

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. - Jesus in Matthew 7:12

Notice how both are summaries of the Law. Notice how both articulate a vision of love. Note how they can work together: Hillel covering the things not to do and Jesus covering the things to do. Both are important, aren’t they?

Spend some time now thanking God for the invitation into this wild and sacrificial and freeing life of learning how to love well.