March 1, 2016
~ Day 21
My 2016 Lenten Journey: Exploring the
Gospels to discover what following Jesus and becoming more like him would look
like? ‘And I, when I am lifted
up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32 NRSV).
Matthew
7:12 ~ “In everything do
to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the
prophets.”
“The Golden Rule.” Without a
doubt, this is one of the most familiar verses of Christian Scripture. It
stands alone, and really needs no commentary. If followed, it would change the
course of history.
You may already be aware that
most of the world religions have a similar principle. Some of them existed
before the time of Jesus, and he may well have been aware of them (or some of
them).
But, did you know that Jesus’
version is the only one stated in a positive way? The other versions can be
paraphrased, “Don’t do anything to anyone else you wouldn’t want him/her/them
to do to you.” Do you sense the significance of the variation?
The ancient Egyptian Book of the
Dead states three ethical stances: (1) I have harmed the widow, (2) I have not
harmed the widow and (3) I have helped the widow.
The other world religions opt
for #2 in their “golden rules”. The Pharisees of Jesus’ time wallowed in it;
and Jesus called them hypocrites.
Micah 6:8 has become a key
foundation of my faith: “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice,
love mercy and walk humbly with your God” (my quote from memory). “First do no
harm,” may be a wonderful principle for medical science; but, if I am to follow
Jesus, I will seek opportunities to be proactive in justice, mercy and
humility. May I do so without coming across as arrogant.
Whoever has seen me has seen the Father (John
14:9 NRSV)
‘And I, when I am lifted
up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32 NRSV).
That's the way it looks through the flawed glass that is my world
view.
Together in
the Walk,
Jim
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