Nail and Stone Carving

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Symbol: Nail & a stone carving

Lesson: Love is the biggest lesson we need to learn.

Illustration: On this the whole Law hangs & the prophets.

There was an impressive stone carving in an old town. It was a stone horse, rearing up like a majestic steed or a wild stallion. It was massive. It's details very intricate--even up close, the craftsmanship did not fail to impress. Yet the most impressive fact about this was not it's size or artistic value. You see, it was not a free-standing statue. It hung, yes hung on a single nail. For miles around people would come to see that lowly nail that supported that immense carving. The nail itself was a wonder all in its own right.

The "Law & the prophets" are the stone horse--Immense, extensive & impressive. The details that chronicle God's dealings with mankind & the fulfillment of how "the seed" would bring relief to humankind are beautiful to examine. But what of that humble nail? At Matthew 22:40 Jesus said it was "love.“ (Context here)

At first we might be inclined to think that this is God's love, especially his patience toward mankind. But that is not the context of this scripture. It speaks of our love--both toward God & toward our fellow humans. Indeed, for all the rules ("The Law") & all the messengers (prophets) God sent, it all boils to, it all "hangs" on the pivotal point that he (God) wants us to love him & our fellow man. That simple and humble nail makes the carving of the stone horse even more astounding.

Notes: For all the rules, all the ritual, all the hierarchy, the lesson is really very simple.

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