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I have a follow-up to our discussion last night, now that I am more awake. In reference to the following verse:

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. - Matthew 22:40

The phrase “all the law and the prophets” refers to entire body of Scripture. The law was understood to mean the Pentateuch, the first five books. To support that understanding:

The chapter recounts Jesus' conversation with the Pharisees who were seeking to entangle him with arguments at law, verse 15:

Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in [his] talk.

The Pharisees baited Him with a question about taxes. Then the Sadducees tried to trip him up on the resurrection, verse 23:

The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,

His astonishing answers must have really disturbed the Pharisees, because they counseled again together and a lawyer among them was the one who asked which was the greatest commandment in the law:

But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, [which was] a lawyer, asked [him a question], tempting him, and saying, Master, which [is] the great commandment in the law?

But as with all His previous answers in Chapter 22, Jesus surpasses their motive by showing that the law (and the prophets) hang on the Great Commandments. IOW, the Pharisees failed to get their priorities straight.

I say this because immediately following this engagement with the Pharisees, Jesus turns to the multitudes and His disciples in chapter 23 and says this:

Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, [that] observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay [them] on men's shoulders; but they [themselves] will not move them with one of their fingers.
But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, [even] Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, [even] Christ.

But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Following that preface, Jesus passionately indicts the Scribes and Pharisees point by point.

BTW, the failure to love is so serious an offense - it is Jesus' first indictment of the church. In Revelation 2, speaking to the church of Ephesus:

Nevertheless I have [somewhat] against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Thank you for your inspired words of encouragement this morning. Matthew 22 is a rich chapter, revealing many truths about God and our future existence. Matthew Henry's commentary on this chapter is worth noting, for of the Great Commandment, he said this:

"All the law is fulfilled in one word, and that is, love. See Rom. 13:10. All obedience begins in the affections, and nothing in religion is done right, that is not done there first. Love is the leading affection, which gives law, and gives ground, to the rest; and therefore that, as the main fort, is to be first secured and garrisoned for God. Man is a creature cut out for love; thus therefore is the law written in the heart, that it is a law of love. Love is a short and sweet word; and, if that be the fulfilling of the law, surely the yoke of the command is very easy. Love is the rest and satisfaction of the soul; if we walk in this good old way, we shall find rest."

The sum of the Law is indeed Love

But as with all His previous answers in Chapter 22, Jesus surpasses their motive by showing that the law (and the prophets) hang on the Great Commandments

Again, you miss Jesus point. He gives 2 commandments as an answer to the question "Which is the greatest commandment." Jesus emphasized that obedience to God and future dealings with man solely involved love, love of God and love of man. Jesus was not just speaking to the Pharisees and the crowds of that time, he was speaking to us. So the question was not just simply answered, it was fully answered.

Isa 55:8 For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it.