The Jesus Creed
Jesus Knows What Life is All About. We seek guidance on spiritual life and spiritual formation. Jesus expressed his view on it by quoting and extending the Shema. "4Hear, O Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. 5You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might." Deut. 6:4-5.
The Creed of Judaism. Observant Jews recite the Shema at least twice a day, when rising and when retiring. Where did Jesus stand in this practice of Judaism.
The Jesus Creed as the First Amendment. When asked about the most important commandment, Jesus recites the Shema and then adds a phrase from a verse in Leviticus. "18You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD." Lev. 19:18. This was a strong statement. It would be the equivalent of adding to the Apostles' Creed in the Protestant church.
The Shema Gets Personal in the Jesus Creed. Jesus revised the Shema by adding loving others to loving God and by defining loving God as following Jesus.
The Jesus Creed Today. It is almost certain that the followers of Jesus credited the Jesus Creed. McKnight suggests that we learn it and recite it daily as well.