RTW 2023

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.”

Matthew 22:37-40

Jesus talked about the Kingdom of God/Heaven more than any other topic.

• Pharisees: Opposed to Roman rule; a political and religious sect; their group survived the destruction of the temple in AD 70 and became the leaders/keepers of modern Judaism.
• Sadducees: a religious and political sect, though more politically minded than the Pharisees; wealthy and sophisticated class; controlled temple worship; did not believe in the resurrection of the dead; only accepted the 5 books of Moses; their influence virtually ceased with the destruction of the temple in AD 70.
• Herodians: Supported the rule of the Herods, and therefore the rule of Rome; Mentioned 3 times in NT and joined Pharisees to oppose Jesus each time.
• Sanhedrin: Highest jewish council in Jerusalem under leadership of the high priest; 71 members, reflecting the biblical practice instituted by Moses.
• The many factions opposed to Jesus (and often each other) largely missed the most important thing: Love God and love your neighbor.

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Don’t get caught up in factions and divisions–love God and love your neighbor.