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Matthew -
The Kingdom of Jesus

A Devotional Study in Matthew

The Golden Rule

Matthew 7:12

I learned the Golden Rule in an old-fashioned country school. I rather wonder if it is still taught now. Do you recognize that it comes from this teaching of Jesus in Matthew?

Jesus said, "In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."

Only occasionally do I ever hear references to it any more.

The Israelite people got ten commandments from God when on the way to their promised land. Later however, the priests and scribes added all kinds of little laws to define precisely how to keep the basic ten commandments. The average person in Israel, without a special law education could hardly keep up knowing all the hundreds of new laws, never mind keeping them all.

When God, in the form of Jesus, came to earth, He took pity on the average person and child who wanted to please Him, but simply couldn't cope with all those 600 or more laws. He gave them a very simple key for keeping all His laws at once; just treat others the respectful way you want them to treat you. Or, honour everyone.

When I was a Pioneer Girls leader in London, Ontario, I was very much aware that I came from a poor family in the prairies, and with my mother having been ill most of my life, I knew no manners. But another leader, Helen, had been to a finishing school as a teen girl. She was very gracious. Helen said that all the etiquette rules can be boiled down to just one; "Always do and always say the kindest thing in the kindest way."

Now that one I could understand and keep! It has often stood me in good stead. I see it is just like Jesus' golden rule of Matt. 7:11.


PRAYER: How kind of You, Lord Jesus, to simplify all those laws, so that anyone can obey You and do what is good and right in Your sight. When I look closer at the ten commandments, they are in essence, showing You honour and respect by worship, and respecting others the way I want to be honoured. No hair-splitting.


Jesus is my King!!

Blessings on you Today!
Ruth Marlene Friesen


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Ruth Marlene Friesen
Ruth Marlene Friesen
The Responsible One

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