Matthew_22
Scripture
Matthew 22:37-40
“Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Observation-What does it say?
The Pharisees are trying to trap Jesus with some questions. They are trying to catch Jesus slipping, so they can arrest him. One of the Pharisees, who was an expert in religious law, tried to trap Jesus with the question, “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”
Understanding-What does it mean?
Jesus keeps it simple.
Jesus basically boils down the Ten Commandments into two simple ones. If one can obey them both, it makes following the other eight commandments simple.
By loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind, you are putting God first in your life. Which means we are putting His Will, above ours. Which ultimately leads to doing things in our life that pleases Him, rather than upsetting Him. Then by loving others as we love ourselves, we are putting others needs before our own (the way Jesus did). When we follow these two important commandments in life, it just makes following the other commandments come naturally. (Please read
Exodus 20: 2-17 to refresh your memory on these Commandments).
Life Application
Finding true joy in your life is simple.
Just like the way Jesus made following God’s Commandments simple, I learned a really simple way to experience true joy in my life. It’s basically the same principles Jesus taught in this passage. So you want to find true joy in life?! Follow this acronym: J-O-Y (Jesus-Others-Yourself). Easy to remember right?! Put Jesus first in your life, then others, and finally yourself. I believe by following these basic principles in life, you will experience God’s many blessings, and you will be able to find joy in whatever circumstance you are in! 
-Moses Gaddi