In this week’s Church at Home, we are looking at the Hebrew word me’od, which is translated as strength in the ancient Hebrew prayer known as the Shema. In the prayer, listeners are called to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and me’od (that is, strength). But the Hebrew word technically means “very” or “much.” So while it might sound funny, this famous verse could also be translated, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your muchness.” What do you have much of? Sometimes we love having much instead of using what we have to love God and others. How do we avoid hoarding our muchness to enjoy the freedom of loving God with everything we are? | |||||||
Listen | |||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
Watch | |||||||
|
|||||||
Read and Discuss | |||||||
Video Question How did the video expand your understanding of the word me’od? |
|||||||
Matthew 6:19-34 Read here What do we have much of? Our “muchness,” or how much we have, can easily become what we love. But God calls us instead to use all that we are and have to love him and others. When we use our muchness in this way, it receives the joy and security of God’s own muchness and becomes even more valuable.
|
|||||||