Monday 23rd September
Read Matthew 7:12
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (NIVUK)
We come to the Golden Rule, the conclusion of Jesus’ explanation of what the Law and the Prophets mean that began in Matthew 5:17-20. Many ancient religions arrived at a version of the Golden Rule centuries before Jesus. Their version though was always framed in the negative. It argued that one shouldn’t do to others what you would not like them to do to you. If you don’t want to be robbed, then don’t rob others. If you would not like to be poked in the eye with a stick, then don’t poke someone else in the eye with a stick. Jesus demanded something quite different.
Jesus framed the Golden Rule positively. He asked people to consider what they would like to be done to them, and then told them to go out and do that. It is a subtle but radical difference. If you long for love and compassion and understanding then go out and be considerate, compassionate and kind. The negative version of the Rule prevents the world going bad. The positive version makes it better. Imagine a world like that!
