Labor Day (80/09/01)
Hello! This is "Daily Word". Thank you for calling. Today is Monday, the first day of September. In the United States and Canada, the first Monday in September is called "Labor Day" and is a national holiday to honor the working men. It was first celebrated by an American labor organization called the Knights of Labor in the year 1882 and was proclaimed a national holiday in the U.S. in 1894. In Japan and many other countries in the world, May Day, the first day of May is celebrated as the workingman's holiday. The word "labor" refers to physical or mental work. Japanese men are known to be good workers. However, it is important to consider the end result of our work. An Old Testament prophet wrote: "Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? (Isaiah 55:2). Gaining satisfaction from our labor requires a healthy mental attitude—a kind of faith that our lives and our labor have meaning.
"In unity there is strength" (80/09/02)
Hello! This is "Daily Word". During the past few weeks, there have been many news stories regarding the striking workers in Poland. Despite the government efforts to cause disunity among the various workers' groups, their unified stand once again made clear that "in unity there is strength." Although we may be weak as individuals, when we are united for a common cause, we become strong. At the signing of the American Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, Benjamin Franklin stated, "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separetely." Whether we are students, or teachers, workers or employers, Japanese or foreigners, we should remember that "in unity there is strength." Through a united effort by weak individuals, great things may be done. The Christian is a person who is spiritually united with Christ and who through this union finds strength to meet and overcome the problems of life. When united with Christ, even a weak person becomes strong.
Jizo-bon (80/09/03)
Hello! This is "Daily Word". According to the solar calendar in general use in our day, today is September the 3rd. However, according to the old lunar calendar, which is still used for certain religious or agricultural rites in Japan, today is the 24th day of the 7th month, known as Jizo-bon, the day to honor the Indian god known in Japan as Jizo. We see stone images of Jizo along the road or at crossroads, especially in country areas. Jizo is believed to be a very gentle, merciful god and especially kind to children. Therefore, a gentle smiling face is sometimes called a Jizo-face. Bibs are sometimes hung around the necks of Jizo statues by expectant mothers with the prayer that they will have a healthy child. The Old Testament psalmist referred to God as "merciful and loving, slow to become angry and full of constant love" (Psalm 103:8). In the New Testament, it was Jesus who told his disciples to let the children come to him for blessing. Today whenever you see a Jizo statue, remember that the Living God is a merciful Father, who loves you.
Remembering anniversaries (80/09/04)
Hello! Today is September the 4th. It is not a famous day in world history, but it has special meaning to me. It was on this day in 1919 that my parents were married outdoors on a green lawn under a bridal arch entwined with flowers. That bridal arch was later removed to the backyard of the new home they built and holds a special place in my memories. Frankly, I don't remember the dates of my parents' deaths, but I do remember their birthdays and their wedding anniversary. In Japan, it is common to remember one's departed loved ones on the days of their deaths, but I prefer to remember my departed parents on happier anniversary days. On this day I recall the words of the Old Testament book of Proverbs, chapter 10, verse 7: "Good people will be remembered as a blessing." We cannot always choose what experiences, events or people we will remember, but we can choose which ones we will emphasize or focus our attention on. Remembering past joys, happy experiences and good people will brighten your day today. Happy memories will encourage happy hopes for the future.
Peace Treaty with Japan (80/09/05)
Hello! How are you today? On this day 29 years ago, the representatives of 52 countries were gathered together in San Francisco, California to draw up a peace treaty with Japan, 6 years after the end of the Pacific War. The peace treaty was then signed by 48 representatives of various nations. Unfortunately, however, peace does not come about by signing one's name at the bottom of a legal document. Even this peace treaty with Japan was not signed by the Soviet Union and other communist countries, so Japan and the U.S.S.R. are still without a formal peace treaty. Since the end of the war, "peace" has been a popular word in Japan and among the many brand names of Japanese cigarettes, "Peace" is the one with the longest history having been first put on the market in Japan in 1946. However, peace does not come through smoking either a peace pipe or a peace cigarette. Peace is an attitude of mind that comes from a healthy faith. The Old Testament prophet, Isaiah wrote (26:3), "You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you."
Children run away (80/09/06)
Hello! According to a recent newspaper article, during the first 3 days of this month, 20 children who had run away from home were picked up by the police in the vicinity of Nagoya Station. Three of those children were elementary school students, 5 were in junior high school and 8 were senior high school students. Although 8 of them were from Aichi Prefecture a couple came from as far away as Kyushu and Okinawa. Why do children run away from home? Some have arguments with their parents. Others dislike school. Still others want to travel. However, there is a basic tendency in human nature to free oneself from all restraints and to become truly independent—selfishly independent. Jesus pictured mankind, in one of his stories, as a son who had run away from home and found out that a self-centered life does not bring happiness but miserable bondage instead. The good news that Jesus taught was that God is like a loving parent who is always ready to welcome home the wayward child. If the living God is a loving Father, to be at home in fellowship with him is the way to a truly happy life.
The Son of God (80/09/07)
Today is Sunday, September 7th. In both English and Japanese, the name given
to the first day of the week is related to the sun. In the traditional
Japanese mythology, the sun was personified as a bright, polite elder sister
known as Amaterasu Omikami, the "Great Kami Shining in Heaven," who is
memorialized in the Ise Shrine in Mie Prefecture. As the star closest to the
earth, the sun is a source of both light and heat for our world. So we can
understand why the ancestors of the Japanese people revered the sun so
highly. To them it represented divine goodness. The Christian perceives
divine goodness, the light of God's truth and the warmth of his love in
another kind of Son, spelled S-o-n. In Jesus Christ, the Son of God who
lived on earth, we see clearly what God is like and experience his mercy.
Christians worship in churches on the first day of the week to commemorate
the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. For them also Sunday is the
day of the Son—the Son of God. I pray that the light of God's truth and
the warmth of his love, given in his Son, may be yours today.
The Number 8 (80/09/08)
Today is the 8th day of September. The number 8 is a favorite number among
Japanese. An old name for Japan itself is Oyashima" The great 8 islands".
A few of the common uses of this number include the so-called 8 beauty spots
of Japan (of which Itsukushima is one ), the 8 roads of Japan (of which
the Tokaido is one ), and the 8 Buddhist sects of Japan (of which Shingon
is one). In Japanese the number 8 is often used to indicate variety. Thus,
the "8 directions " means everywhere, a vegetable store (yaoya ) is
literally an 800 shop and the "yaoyorozu-no-kamigami" of Shinto mythology
are literally 8 million kami. In English, the expression, "behind the 8
ball", refers to a very unfavorable position. It comes from the game of pool, in which, if the black 8 ball is pocketed before all the other balls the game is lost. At times we may feel discouraged and think we are in a very unfavorable position. Yet even in such
circumstances, the person with faith in the true and living God, who created
this world with its beauty and variety, knows that God is with him—even
behind the 8-ball and will provide a way of escape.
The Chrysanthemum Festival (80/09/09)
Today is September 9th, the 9th day of the 9th month. In Japanese
tradition, there were 5 annual seasonal festivals, (or sekku). They were
observed on the 7th day of the 1st month (when 7 kinds of herbs are eaten),
the 3rd day of the 3rd month (Doll Festival), the 5th day of the 5th month
(Children's Day), the 7th day of the 7th month (Tanabata, Star Festival)
and the 9th day of the 9th month, known as Choyo no Sekku which is the
Chrysanthemum
Festival. In the Edo era, on this day feudal lords were expected to call
on the Shogun. In contrast with the short-lived cherry blossom, the
chrysanthemum
is a symbol of long life in Japan. The English word "Chrysanthemum" comes
from 2 Greek words meaning "golden flower". Japan has many varieties of
chrysanthemums of different sizes, shapes and colors. As we look at the
beautiful flowers around us, let us also remember the words of Jesus. "Not
even King Solomon with all his wealth had clothes as beautiful as one of
these flowers" (Matthew 6:29). If God gives the flowers such beautiful
clothes, certainly he will take care of you.
A Changeless Rock (80/09/10)
A few years ago, at a Chinese exhibit here in Nagoya, I purchased a small
book with a red cover printed in both Chinese and English. The English title
is "Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-Tung". In the foreword, written by Liu
Piao, we find these words, "The most fundamental task in our Party's
political and ideological work is at all times to hold high the great red
banner of Mao Tse-Tung's thought, to arm the mind of the people throughout
the country with it and to persist in using it to command every field of
activity". Times have changed. In today's China not only is Liu Piao
considered a traitor, but even former Chairman Mao, once considered a kind
of living god, is recognized as having been mistaken. Heraclitus, a Greek
philosopher who lived about 500 years before Christ, stated that "Nothing is
permanent, but change". In a world of constant change, man seeks for a
changeless rock upon which to stand. The Old Testament psalmists often
referred to the Eternal God as their Rock. Upon what kind of rock is your
life founded ?
A Discarded Butsudan (80/09/11)
A short news item in yesterday's paper told of a housewife in Nishiharu Cho,
Nishikasugai Gun who noticed a Butsudan lying on its side in the weeds near
her house. A Butsudan is a household Buddhist shrine in which memorial
tablets for the dead are placed. She notified the police who investigated.
They found that in the Butsudan, which had been wrapped in newspapers, was a
complete set of implements used in Buddhist ceremonies for venerating the
dead. They presume that the Butsudan was discarded by someone who no longer
wanted it, but they are wondering how to dispose of it in a proper manner to
avoid some divine judgement. Many people in Japan still fear being cursed or
punished for not keeping traditional customs regarding lucky and unlucky
days, lucky and unlucky directions and so forth. For the person with faith
in a living God, however, there is no need for fear or worry. In the New
Testament Letter of 1John 4:18, it is written : There is no fear in love;
perfect love drives out all fear.
Japan's First Railway (80/09/12)
Today is September 12th. On this day in the year 1872, a formal opening
ceremony, attended by Emperor Meiji himself, was held for Japan's first
railway that ran between Shimbashi in Tokyo and Sakuragicho in Yokohama. It
took 54 minutes for trains on this "ironroad" (tetsudo) to cover 29
kilometers. Fares were very expensive: ¥1.50 for first class, ¥1.00 for
second class and ¥0.50 for third class. Times have certainly changed in the
108 years since then. Now it takes 2 hours on the Shinkansen, meaning "new
truck line" to travel the 366 kilometers from Tokyo to Nagoya at a cost of
¥7,100. Life today moves much more rapidly and people always seem to be in a
hurry. Confucius wrote that "the desire to have things done quickly prevents
their being done thoroughly."
In the midst of a busy life, we need to take time out to be quiet, to think,
meditate and pray. The prophet Isaiah wrote (28:16) that "He who believes
will not be in haste." Both for the health of our bodies and of our spirits,
we need to slow down and obey the signs at the railroad crossings—to stop
and look and listen.
General Nogi (80/09/13)
Today is the September 13th. On this day in 1912, 68 years ago, the 122nd
Emperor of Japan, Emperor Meiji, was laid to rest. Becoming Emperor at the
age of 16, he reigned for 45 years and, assisted those around him,
drastically changed the character of Japanese society. Following his
impressive funeral, his loyal follower, General Nogi, returned home and,
after bathing with his wife, put on a ceremonial kimono. Then, while sitting
before a picture of the deceased emperor, he took a dagger, killed his wife
and committed suicide (seppuku) as his final act of loyality to his lord.
The Nogi Shrine in his memory is now found in Akasaka, Tokyo. Loyalty to our
Lord is also a virtue among Christians. However, we consider it more
meaningful to live a worthy life for him rather than to commit suicide as an
act of devotion. The apostle Paul wrote to the Romans (12:1), "Offer
yourselves as a living sacrifice to God. This is true worship." Living a
noble life may even be more difficult than dying for a cause.
A Holiday or A Holy Day (80/09/14)
Today is Sunday. In Japan and many other countries in the world, Sunday is a
day when government offices, schools, banks and many private companies are
closed. In other words, it is a holiday. Nowadays, "holiday" refers to a day
of freedom from labor, a day set aside for leisure and recreation. It thus
may also
refer to a vacation time. However, the original meaning of the word was a
"holy day", that is a day set aside for a religious purpose. In Islamic
countries, the weekly day of rest is Friday; for Jews, Saturday is the
Sabbath; but for Christians, Sunday is the holy day- in remembrance of
Jesus' resurrection from the dead on the first day of the week. It is
therefore referred to also as "the Lord's Day." However, in a wider sense,
every day is "the Lord's Day," so whether we consider today a holiday or a
holy day, we may join with the Old Testament Psalmist when he sang, "This is
the day which the Lord has made; let us joice and be glad in it (118:24)
Respect for the Aged Day (80/09/15)
Today is a national holiday in Japan. It is called "Respect for the Aged
Day." Since the end of World War II, twelve national holidays have been
established or recreated in Japan. Although this is one of the newest ones,
showing respect for the aged has a long history in this land and in other
lands influenced by Confucianistic thought. According to Confucius, there
are five basic relationships in human society. They are those between ruler
and subject, parent and child, husband and wife, elder and younger, friend
and friend. Every person is in some form of relationship with another and
has a responsibility to act in keeping with his status. The Bible also
teaches us to respect our elders, but the basic biblical relationship is
between God and man, as we see in this quotation from Leviticus 19:32. "You
shall rise in the presence of grey hairs, give honor to the aged, and fear
your God." When our relationship with God is right, human relationships are
put in proper perspective.
Setomono (80/9/16)
The name, seto, is a fairly common place name in Japan. There are over a dozen places in Japan named Seto, but, of course, there can be only one city with that name and it is on the outskirts of Nagoya. The two Chinese characters that make up this name refer to narrow rapids in a river or channel, so the word is translated into English as “strait,” meaning a narrow waterway between two large bodies of water. Seto City was the location of a new style ceramic kiln built by Kagemasa Kato upon his return from China in the year 1228 and the porcelain products made there were called setomono, which has become the common name for pottery or chinaware. On the first days of this week the 47th Setomono Fair was held and an estimated 480,000 people, including 1,000 Americans, visited the 300 shops with setomono on sale. The prophet Jeremiah once visited a potter’s house and, while watching the potter at work at his wheel, received a message from the Lord: “You are in my hands just like clay in the potter’s hands” (18:6). So Jeremiah understood and proclaimed that the destiny of his nation was in the hands of the Lord. It is a comforting thought.
"Turtle Marathon" (80/9/17)
Two days ago, on “Respect for the Aged Day,” an interesting race was held at Seishonen Koen in Nagakute. It was the 9th “Turtle Marathon” and the aim of the runners in the 25, 10 and 5 kilometer courses was not to compete with others in setting new records; it was merely to enjoy running and to reach the finish line. Of the 1369 runners, including Chinese, Koreans, Americans and Englishmen, all but 2 did finish their courses. The race was limited to men over 40 and to women over 30 years of age. The oldest runner was 87-year-old Mr. Higa from Okinawa, who was accompanied by a team consisting of a son, a grandson and a great grandson. This Turtle Race for the enjoyment of healthy middle-aged and older folk is a contrast with the rat race of many of our daily lives. We need not always be running to try to be a winner. We should run sometimes just for the enjoyment of it. Yet we do need a goal and should try to reach it. Jesus said, “He who endures to the end will be saved” (Mark 13:13). Having begun our course, let us faithfully continue on to the end.
Capital Punishment (80/09/18)
Yesterday's report of the Korean court martial decision regarding Kim Dae Jang was not surprising, but it was shocking, nevertheless. His sentence was capital punishment. “Capital,” from the Latin word for “head,” may refer to the decorative top part of a pillar in a building. It may refer to a chief city where the seat of government is located. (However, the “capitol” ending in o-l refers to a building—originally to the temple of Jupiter on the Capitolin Hill in Rome, but now to the building in which the U. S. Congress meets in Washington, D.C.) “Capital” may also refer to something first-rate or excellent. “Capital punishment,” however, refers to the death penalty—which originally was by “decapitation,” the cutting off of one's head. Capital punishment is not a capital idea. Rather, as a cruel, irrevocable punishment, used selectively and often for political purposes, it should be abolished. When Jesus was urged to agree to the death penalty of a woman by stoning, he refused to do so, inviting any person without sin to throw the first stone (John 8:7). The Christian seeks to promote life rather than death.
Calendars (80/09/19)
Hello. Do you know the date today? It depends on the calendars used. According to the Gregorian calendar, today is the 19th day of the 9th month. However, according to the lunar calendar still used in Japanese almanacs, today is the 11th day of the 8th month. In the traditional Jewish calendar, it is the 19th day of the 7th month. But what about the year? Even here there are a variety of methods of calculations. Jewish chronology makes this the year 5471, counting by a certain method from the creation of the world. Christians consider the birth of Christ as the base line and call this year 1980 A.D. (ano domini = the year of the Lord), due to a miscalculation. (The birth of Jesus actually occurred about 6 B.C.) For Muslims, this is the year 1399 A.H., the year of the Hegira. The Hegira refers to the flight of Mohammed from Mecca to Medina in the year 622 A.D. and marks the beginning of their era. In Japan, of course, it is the 55th year of Showa, which began when the present emperor was enthroned. As a matter of fact, it doesn’t make much difference what number we give to this day or month or year, but it does make a difference how we use it. Make good use of today. There will never be another exactly like it.
The Day of Atonement (80/09/20)
According to the Jewish calendar, today is the 19th day of Tishri, one of the holiest days of the year. It is called Yom Kippur, the day of atonement. In the Jewish ceremonial system, there are many feast days or festivals when people are festive and engage in festivities, including fasting, but there is only one day of fasting when people must deny themselves food while remembering and repenting of their sins. That is the Day of Atonement. There are a number of words in Japanese that have been specially made to translate words from Western languages, but the word “atonement” is an English word that was specially made to translate a Biblical concept. Literally, “atonement” means at-one-ment and refers to the reconciliation of formerly hostile parties who thus become “at one.” It was only on this Day of Atonement that the Jewish high priest entered into the Holy of Holies in the Jewish temple to atone for the sins of the people. Christians believe that Jesus’ death on the cross brought “at-one-ment” between a holy God and sinful people. Today also, an act of sacrificial love may bring peace between enemies and make them friends.
A Sympathetic Ear (80/09/21)
Probably the best known telephone number in Japan is 110. It is used to call the police in times of emergency. However, one evening recently a Nagoya housewife called that number because she wanted to talk to someone about her problem. She complained that her 43-year-old husband, to whom she had been married for 15 years, didn’t help with the housework nor with the care of their children. She said she was ashamed to talk to relatives or friends about this problem so she called the police for advice, thinking they would keep it a secret. Although the police were upset that the woman called that number for such a reason, the woman herself wanted to talk freely to someone she could trust. There are probably many people around us everyday who want to confide in someone they can trust. They are looking for a sympathetic ear and words of encouragement. Are you willing to be such a person? The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans, chapter 15, “We who are strong ought to help the weak carry their burdens.”
Moon-viewing days (80/09/22)
Today is Monday, the 2nd day of the week. Just as the 1st day of the week, in both English and Japanese, is named for the sun, so the 2nd day of the week is named for the moon. Although the moon has not been an object of worship like the sun in Japan, it has held a special place in Japanese poetry and on the 15th of August and the 13th of September, according to the lunar calendar, special moon-viewing festivities are held. Tomorrow is the first of these 2 moon-viewing days this year, so some people may be writing poems as they view the moon tomorrow night. In America, the large moon seen at this time of year is called a “harvest moon.” In Roman mythology, Luna is the moon goddess and it is from this word that “lunacy,” a kind of temporary insanity was derived and a “lunatic” is a person whose mental illness was thought to be related to the moon. The moon seems to shine in the night, but it is only reflecting the light of the sun. We also should reflect the light of God’s truth and love for the benefit of others who may be stumbling in the darkness.
Shubun no Hi (80/09/23)
Today is a national holiday in Japan known as “Shubun no Hi,” literally “Day of Autumn Division.” In America, we consider this day the dividing line between summer and fall, marking the beginning of autumn. In English, it is called the autumnal equinox. “Equinox” comes from two Latin words meaning “equal night.” It is the time when the sun crosses the equator, making day and night of equal length. The “equator” (which also comes from the Latin word for “equal&rdquo) is an imaginary line equally distant from both North and South Poles. In Japan, today is the middle day of the 7 days of higan, the time when it is customary to visit the family graves and hold memorial services for the deceased. &ldquoHigan” means “the other shore,” in reference to the other world to which the dead spirits have gone. We cannot know for sure whether or not the spirits of the dead know and enjoy the ceremonies offered for them, but we can be sure that if they are conscious of our present acts in this world, it will be our good daily lives which show love to others that will bring them greater joy than periodic formal rituals. Daily lives of goodness and love will bring joy to the living as well as the dead.
Autumn (80/09/24)
A new season has begun. In English, we call this season of the year "autumn." It is the season which comes between summer and winter, but it would not be correct to say that autumn begins in September throughout the world for this month marks the beginning of spring in the southern hemisphere. Because in this season, leaves fall from the trees, it is also called "fall." The Chinese character for autumn is made up of a rice stalk and fire, reminding us of the harvesting of ripened rice. As we see the leaves fall from the trees, we may think of autumn as a lonely time of year, but when we see the busy farmers, we remember it is also a time to bear fruit. Jesus once told his disciples, "I chose you to bear much fruit, the kind of fruit that endures" (John 15:16). He also told them that genuine teachers and false teachers can be distinguished by the fruits they bear. As the fall season begins, we should reflect upon the kind of fruits our lives are bearing. The principle stated in Galatians 6:7 is true: "A person will reap exactly what he sows."
A million million (80/09/25)
A recent news article told of the effort to recover the treasures from a Russian ship that sank off Tsushima Island during the Russo-Japanese War 75 years ago. The gold coins, etc. are worth more than hassen oku yen. "Hassen oku" is an 8 with 11 zeros after it. In America, this number would be called 8 hundred billion, but in England, it would be called 8 hundred thousand. In English, the prefix "milli" comes from a Latin word meaning "thousand." A "millimeter" is one-thousandth of a meter and a "milliliter" is one-thousandth of a liter. In America, a billion indicates a thousand million, but in England, a billion refers to a thousand times that much, a million million. "Billion" is a number, but "bullion" refers to the raw material of gold or silver before it is made into coins. Quality is more important than quantity.
Babel (80/09/26)
The country of Iraq is in the news these days. Although the present name of this kingdom is comparatively new, within its borders lies one of the oldest seats of civilization. Mesopotamia, the former name of this country, comes from two Greek words meaning "between rivers." The two main rivers running through this land are the Tigris and the Euphrates. The latter flowed through the ancient capital city of Babylon, center of the Babylonian Empire. There is a story in the Old Testament book of Genesis, chapter 11, on how the city got its name. It relates how people with a common language and proud hearts decided to build a tower, the top of which would reach to the heavens. God, however, frustrated their plans by confusing language so they could no longer understand one another. Thus the city was named Babel, from the Hebrew word for "confusion." The English word, "babble," also refers to making indistinct or incoherent sounds. It may also mean to talk unwisely, to talk too much or to reveal secrets. Although man has learned to tame and control wild animals, he still finds it difficult to control his own tongue which continues to cause confusion as it babbles on.
Oil (80/09/27)
Fighting in the Mideast between two oil-producing countries is causing concern regarding the world's petroleum supplies. The word "petroleum" may be considered to be the result of the union of Peter and Olive, for the Greek words for "rock" and "oil" are the roots of these two names and of petroleum. From petroleum, gasoline (which in England is called "petrol"), kerosene, fuel, lubricants and many other products are derived. Many kinds of oils are in common use today, including cooking oil, hair oil, bath oil and oil paints. In Bible days, oil was used as a medicine applied to wounds or bruises, as a fuel for lamps, as an offering to God and as a perfume. The head of an honored guest, of a king being enthroned, or of a priest being ordained was anointed with oil. The Hebrew word "Messiah" and the Greek word "Christ" refer to an "Anointed One." To "pour oil on troubled waters" means to settle quarrels or differences by calm, soothing methods. This is what is needed in the Mideast today—and in our lives also. Proverbs 15:1 states that "A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up."
First (80/09/28)
Hello. This is the first day of a new week, so we will consider
the word “first.” “First,” coming from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning “foremost.” That
which is first precedes all others. It is before all others—whether in reference to time or
importance. Thus, “first class” refers to something of the highest quality, but one’s “first
class” of the day refers to the earliest period of the school schedule. “First hand” means
hearing or receiving something directly from the original source. And, in the United
States, the “first lady” is the wife of the President. It is important for each one of us to
consider what is of first importance in our lives. What is it that is first in our thinking
and planning? When Jesus was asked what was the first commandment of all the 613
Old Testament commandments, his answer was the commandment to love. To love God
above all else and to love our neighbor as ourself (Matthew 22:34-40) is of first
importance to the Christian.