In this sermon from Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus emphasizes the greatest commandments: to love God wholeheartedly and to love our neighbor as ourselves. The reality that God has made us valuable and worthy of love is often missed. This biblical self-love is not about selfishness but about recognizing and honoring the worth God has placed in each of us. Jesus modeled self-care by taking time to rest and pray, demonstrating how His ability to love others originated from His intimate relationship with the Father. When we receive and embrace God’s love, it naturally overflows into love for others, manifesting as patience, kindness, and empathy. Spiritual self-care includes spiritual disciplines that remind us that we are made for the love of God. Physical self-care allows us to care for our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. Emotional and mental self-care requires slowing down and acknowledging that we were created to have needs and to seek help from God and others. Just as Jesus knew and walked in the Father’s love, we are called to live life walking in God’s love for us.
