The Golden Rule 9 January 2013

Today's Verse:

Matthew 7:12

Jesus said: "Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets."


Reflections on Today's Reading:

Today's verse is known as the Golden Rule and is probably the most often quoted verse in the Bible, even when the speaker doesn't know that it's a verse from the Bible, or one of the central teachings of Jesus Christ. Perhaps, that is because of the universality of its sentiment.

After all...

don't we all wish that we could be treated as we treat others?


Really?

As I started to write this post, I was going to focus on what a lovely, peaceful world this would be if everyone else was just as kind and gentle as we were.

Smiley face.

Smiley face.

And then, just as I typed that bold-faced sentence above, my heart was convicted.

And I said a quick "Thank you, God" that there are moments when I am treated better than I have treated others.

Sometimes, the way that I have treated other people has not been fair, and if I'd faced the same treatment, I'd be hurt and disappointed.

You see, that's one of the true gems of this sentence is that Jesus is asking us to hold a mirror up to ourselves and take an honest look at our reflection, the beauty and the beast.

It also makes us realize what a miracle it is that when God looks at us through His compassion, He loves us fully, warts and all, and without end.

Amen.