The Greatest Commandment: One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. Mark 12:28-32

Honor God, honor parents, honor leaders, and honor the sacredness of life. These verses tie worship, gratitude, and community order together. God calls His people to live as a holy, set-apart community, marked by generosity, purity, and reverence.

God’s command to give Him the firstborn is not a call to harm, but a call to honor. In ancient times, the firstborn represented strength, legacy, and hope. By dedicating the firstborn, whether son, sheep, or ox, families acknowledged that all life comes from God and belongs to Him. The seven days with the mother reflect tenderness; the eighth day marks a holy offering. This is not about loss, but about trust, stewardship, and sacred belonging. “The first breath is Yours, O Lord, The first cry, the first step, the firstborn. Not taken, but treasured, Not lost, but lifted. A life set apart, A gift returned in love, A child held close, then given in trust To the One who gave him first.“

It reads in Exodus 22:28-31 Easy: “You must not curse God or the leaders of your people.“At harvest time you should give me the first grain and the first juice from your fruit. Don’t wait until late in the year. “Give me your firstborn sons. Also, give me your firstborn cattle and sheep. Let the firstborn stay with its mother for seven days. Then on the eighth day, give him to me.“You are my special people. So don’t eat the meat from something that was killed by wild animals. Let the dogs eat that dead animal.

Father God, teach us to honor You in all things, in our words, our offerings, and our daily choices. Help us show respect to those who lead, care for the gifts You place in our hands, and live as people set apart for Your purposes. Make our lives clean, generous, and faithful, so our community reflects Your holiness and grace. Love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the honor and glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.