Higher on the Hillside – Lent Reflection 25

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

Radical Jesus gives the first of the summary statements in His sermon by giving the Golden Rule for how we are to treat one another. Its utter simplicity is meant to cut through all of the ‘religion’ that has wrapped itself around the message that God wants His people to hear; love God and love others. When you love the Lord with all your heart, your actions towards others created in His image will fall into place. Radical in its minimalism.

This single verse is so radical that we often struggle to live it out. It is hard to give up our desires for revenge and retribution. We want to live the golden rule but we fear others who refuse to live it out themselves and this lies at the crux of the problem. The fear creeps in that we will lose in some respect when we live the way Jesus teaches and others do not but the Teacher gives us the solution, don’t be concerned with your condition here in this world. Raise your sights to the heavens where sacrifice will not be needed. Follow the Radical in His sacrifice knowing where your true reward lies.