Love in Leviticus? (9)

Another irony is that one of the most important themes in the New Testament comes from Leviticus.

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD (Lev 19:18).

We can continue to use this verse, because it was claimed and repeated by Jesus.

Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matt 22:37-40).

This command is quoted seven times in the New Testament, by Matthew, Mark, Luke, Paul and James (Matt 19:19; Matt 22:39; Mar 12:31-33; Luke 10:27; Rom 13:9-10; Gal 5:14; Jam 2:8). John never quoted this command, but he certainly imbibed it, because both his gospel and his letters focus on the theme of love.

The second greatest commandment comes from Leviticus. This shows the graciousness of God. Even while giving laws to protect the children of Israel from evil, he pointed forward to the time when these laws would be made redundant by the death of his Son.

This also shows that the Holy Spirit has a sense of humour. He put the verse of scripture that we love to love in the book that we hate to love.