Love Your Neighbor

Sometime around A.D. 140, about a hundred years after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, a ship owner from the town of Sinope, located on the Black Sea, traveled to the capital city of Rome. His name was Marcion and he was the son of a church leader. As he studied the text of the available Books of the Bible, Marcion began to be influenced by a group of Gnostics, and in particular by a man named Cerdo. Marcion’s study led him to believe that the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament were not the same God. Marcion came to believe and to teach that the God of the Old Testament was a God of anger and the author of evil. Marcion believed that the God of the Old Testament was a God who sought the destruction of all non-Jewish people. Marcion went on to teach that Matthew, Mark, Luke, parts of the Book of Acts, and the Book of Hebrews were, along with the entirety of the Old Testament, should be rejected by Christians.

Marcion contrasted the God of wrath with the God of the New Testament. Marcion believed that God, as seen in the life of Jesus, was a God of love for all and grace. Marcion chose to believe that God could not act in a way that Marcion did not understand or that Marcion refused to believe. Marcion decided that God must follow the wisdom of Cerdo and of the Gnostics. To this end, Marcion held the view that only the apostle Paul had firmly held to the gospel of Jesus. He believed that all the others had corrupted the Word of God. While Marcion believed that Paul was seated at the right hand of Jesus who sat at the right hand of God, he also believed that Paul did not have everything right. The Books of 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus were rejected, as well as parts of the Book of Luke. Marcion’s idea of a perfect Bible held only parts of the Book of Luke and ten letters from Paul. Marcion wanted to make God conform to his understanding.

The conflict between Marcion and the early church led to his expulsion from the official church of the time in 144 A.D. But his influence had already spread. Several villages and towns boasted Marcion congregations.1

We might look at the story of Marcion as something from the distant past, but the reality is that the idea that God, as seen in the Old Testament, and Jesus, as seen in the New Testament, can’t be the same God is as popular today as it was in the second century. Many have a hard time understanding how the two can be one. But the Book of Leviticus helps us to see the character of God in a big picture sense.

The reading this week is a continuation of the kinds of lists we found last week. God continues to distinguish between what is holy and what is common. However, there are also pictures of God’s plan for His people found in the reading this week. God shows them that atonement is available and prepares them for worship. God is building a bridge between His holy presence and sinful man. How? By making man holy. Why would God do this. The answer may surprise you.

In Leviticus 19:18 we find a familiar phrase. “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.” God displays His character to His people and calls them to love their neighbors as they love themselves. Sound familiar? Yes. Jesus said the very same thing in John 13:34. In fact, it is a well-known quote. It is used to show the character of Jesus and His love for mankind. Where did it come from? The God of the Old Testament! That’s right, God has always loved mankind. God has always sought to make a path for us to live in His presence. God has always worked to break down the barrier or sin and to forgive, show mercy, and provide grace. Leviticus is a book about holiness and grace and love. It shows us that God has been moving to save mankind.

God is the same in both the Old and New Testaments. The people are different. Like a small child needs a different set of lessons than a 30-year-old, the people of Israel have led the way to our learning who God is and what God is all about. They help us understand the movement of God. God deliberately teaches us that our love flows from His love.

As you embed the Bible this week, remember that God is moving in love to draw men to Himself. He did it in Leviticus and He is doing it today!

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1Shelly, Bruce L. (1982). Church History in Plain Language. Dallas – London – Vancouver – Melbourne: Word Publishing. Pgs. 77-80