THE GREAT COMMANDMENTS (Conclusion)

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:36-40)

The day after the first Shabbat following that tumultuous storm, which had filled Amul’s soul with those strange feelings of love, rumors about the crucified carpenter’s son were already being heard in the land of Bethlehem. There were those who said he would rise from the dead just as Lazarus had risen. There were others who were convinced that the infant movement he had started would soon go the way of the Zealots who were constantly being driven into seclusion by the mighty arm of Rome.

Amul awoke that day with a stirring in his soul which caused him to bid goodbye to Sarah and the children and leave his brother in charge of the family’s flock and move quickly to start a journey to Jerusalem. The road seemed crowded, but since Amul didn’t often make this journey he didn’t know if this was unusual or not. Late in the afternoon as Amul was nearing the Temple mount he found himself moving along with a large group of people. As the throng approached the steps leading to the patio of the Elders, Amul along with the others saw a man speaking to those who had gathered. He heard the words as the teacher turned toward those approaching and then felt the searing in his heart. “Love one another as I have loved you.” As he was falling to his knees Amul’s mind was repeating over and over again, ‘it is the carpenter’s son, but how can it be.’ As he further prostrated himself in reverence without uttering speech Amul heard his mind proclaim, ‘this is no carpenter’s son, but the Son of the Most High.’ The group which now numbered about 500 souls, as one, knew that the Messiah had opened the grave and was now standing once again alive before them.

As the resurrected Messiah spoke of love Amul once again was impacted by the overwhelming feelings of love and peace settling upon him bearing an unquestionable witness that this was the Son of the Most High, but beyond that assurance Amul begin to have feelings that he had yet left unfinished the purposes of his own life. He felt an urge to be more faithful in keeping all that he had been taught about the Law. He was anxious to find those who could teach him the words of the Messiah. He was moved to find ways to be a kinder and gentler husband, to find gentler ways to lead his children, to be more diligent in his responsibilities at the synagogue and he would be more honest in his measuring’s. Then the strangest of all feelings begin to fill his heart, which at first he tried to fight against, but resistance was useless. He would need to find ways to live the ancient ways of kindness found in the Law with the Roman soldiers who filled the markets of Bethlehem.

Although Amul had spent the majority of his days watching and listening to the bleating sheep, he now knew that having seen the wonders of that day he must now go forth to tell all he met that he knew that the carpenter’s son, this Joshua of the Galilee was the promised Messiah and the doors or salvation had been opened to all mankind.

The doubt of the flesh can vanish from my soul and I can come to know that Jesus the Christ is the Son of God and be filled with such merciful love that He lived, died and broke the bonds of death for all. The cloud of understanding can be dissipated and I can know the real purposes for my mortal sojourn. My heart can be changed as it is filled with the love of Him who loves unconditionally. I can be moved by my every strengthening relationship with my Savior to walk that path which will allow me to move toward the full purpose of my existence and gain a righteous self-love. As my awareness of His great love consumes me, I will more powerfully be filled with a desire to help all who return their love to me in so many ways, which makes the task a simple deed. I aspire to be filled with His powerful love so that someday I, like Him, will be able to show love unto all my neighbors, even those who consider themselves my enemy.

Jesus the Christ died so that He might receive Eternal Joy, having fulfilled all His Father sent Him to do. He died for all who call Him friend. He died for those despitefully use Him and insist on calling Him their enemy.

Counting the stars on a clear night would begin to give us an idea of how many children of our Heavenly Father, like Enos, Alma the Son of Alma, the four sons of Mosiah, Paul and the ancient Apostles, have found greater happiness in life as they have allowed the distilling drops of the Redeemer’s sweet love to enter their hearts and move them to see themselves and their neighbors as they were truly meant to seen. Thus, through the lens of this new vision we can all allow the attribute of love to fill our souls and dictate our actions.

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, Matthew 28:16-20, John 13:34, 35, Luke 24:49-53