The Bible is filled with wisdom and moral lessons, but there’s one verse that stands out above the rest—a verse so powerful, yet so frequently ignored.

But what if we’re missing the point entirely? What if this message holds the key to healing our divisions, finding peace, and living with purpose? Jesus spoke a truth that resonates today more than ever, but the question remains: Why is no one listening?

The Verse That Speaks Volumes

Let’s start with the verse in question. It’s from the Gospel of Matthew, specifically Matthew 22:37-40:

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

At first glance, it might seem like a simple directive—a message of love. But in reality, this verse is a profound call for unity, empathy, and compassion. Jesus wasn’t merely telling us to love; He was telling us how to love. He connected our love for God with our love for others, essentially intertwining the two into a moral framework that challenges us to rethink how we interact with those around us.

Love: A Commandment, Not a Suggestion

Love, in this context, isn’t an optional emotion or a fleeting sentiment. It’s a command. And that’s a crucial distinction. We live in a world that often reduces love to something passive—a feeling or an emotion that we act on when it’s convenient. But Jesus flips this notion on its head. He demands that we love intentionally, with all our heart, soul, and mind.

Why Is No One Listening?

1. Cultural and Political Divides: We live in a hyper-polarised world. Political, cultural, and social divides make it more complicated than ever to love our neighbours, especially when their beliefs or actions conflict with ours. Jesus didn’t specify who was worthy of love. His commandment didn’t come with disclaimers or exceptions.
2. Self-Centeredness: In an age of individualism and personal success, we are encouraged to prioritise self-love, which, while important, often turns into self-centeredness. The idea of loving others with the same intensity can seem like an afterthought.
3. The Complexity of True Love: True love, the kind Jesus described, is not always easy. It requires sacrifice, patience, and empathy—qualities that are often in short supply when life gets hectic. It’s not a love that simply lets things slide or turns a blind eye to injustice. It’s an active, deliberate choice that sometimes requires difficult decisions.
4. The Noise of Modern Life: With constant distractions from social media, entertainment, and the pressures of modern life, it’s easy to lose sight of the core teachings that matter. Jesus spoke in simple terms, but those terms don’t always align with the fast-paced, surface-level conversations happening online.

How to Start Listening

If we’re genuinely committed to understanding and acting on the words of Jesus, we need to do more than just hear them. We need to listen.

1. Reflect on Your Own Heart: Start with self-examination. Do you love others with the same intensity that Jesus speaks about? How do you treat those you disagree with? Are you letting your biases, anger, or frustration dictate your relationships? Take time to reflect and realign yourself with the principles of compassion and empathy.
2. Challenge Yourself to Love the “Unlovable”: It’s easy to love those who love us back. The actual test of love is how we treat those who are difficult, different, or even hurtful. Can you look past your differences and offer love to your “enemy,” or someone who has hurt you? Jesus did it. Can you?
3. Actively Serve: Love is an action, not just a feeling. Volunteer your time, resources, or energy for the good of others. Whether it’s helping a neighbour, offering a listening ear, or supporting a cause, love is best expressed through service.
4. Engage in Conversations that Matter: In a world where people often shout to be heard, listen more. In a polarised environment, start conversations based on empathy rather than judgment. Share your thoughts with kindness and be open to others’ perspectives.
5. Focus on Common Ground: Instead of focusing on differences, look for shared values and goals. Jesus didn’t tell us to love only those who agreed with us—He told us to love everyone.

Conclusion: The Time to Listen is Now

Jesus’ command to love God and love others is timeless. But in today’s world, it’s easy to forget that love isn’t a passive emotion—it’s an active, ongoing choice that requires intentionality and sacrifice. The real question isn’t why no one’s listening—it’s why we’re not acting on what we’ve already heard.