Sounds Familiar

Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18

I'll be the first to admit I'm not a bible scholar. The fact is that I really don't memorize bible versus, nor can I tell you exactly where to find certain stories in respect to their places within our bible. I know the stories well enough, but ask me where one can find the story of Noah's Ark, or the recapture of the Ark of the Covenant and I wouldn't be able to.

I also couldn't recite with any sort of accuracy where Jesus said the things he did. For instance I know he said to turn the other cheek and I know that statement is part of the Sermon on the Mount, but ask me for book and verses and I'm at a total loss.

Of course I continue to read my bible and do my daily devotions as well as my daily prayers. And, with a continued focus on my relationship with God through those practices, I'm sure my bible knowledge will become like Jesus' knowledge of the scriptures of his day.

Today's passage is a prime example of what I'm striving for. We all know the story of the "Greatest Commandment". (I actually cheated and looked ahead at this week's lectionary readings and that particular story is the Gospel reading from Matthew for this week.) We are told by Jesus that the greatest commandments are to love God with everything we are and to love one another as we love our self. Great words - I use them as the basis for most of my teachings with youth, especially the love yourself part.

However, and here's where my bible knowledge (or lack thereof) comes in, I had no idea those exact same words are written in Leviticus. In fact, the Leviticus passage from today goes a step further and tells us how to love one another in the same way we love ourselves. Put basically, we are asked to treat everyone the same, regardless of socio-economic status or hierarchical standings. We are also asked to speak out against injustice while at the same time not hold grudges towards others.

In other words, love one another as we love ourselves. Jesus' exact words, spoken in a different time, by a different people, for different reasons. However, words which rang true in Jesus' time as much as they ring true today.

The challenge from Jesus for those who would listen to him, as well as from the priests and scribes who wrote Leviticus, holds true for us today. When we find someone in need, provide. When we find someone being oppressed, help free them. When there is division with those around us, seek reconciliation through understanding. Do so without regard to how we might be repaid and do so regardless of who we are doing it for.

Okay, back to my bible.