What Jesus Did! 'The Golden Life' — Matthew 7:12

Sunday, March 26, 2017

"Do to other people the same things you want them to do to you. This is the meaning of the law {of Moses} and the {teaching of the} prophets."
— Matthew 7:12 NLT
Illustration of Matthew 7:12 NLT — "Do to other people the same things you want them to do to you. This is the meaning of the law {of Moses} and the {teaching of the} prophets."

Key Thought

The Golden Rule! That's what it's called, but Jesus isn't as concerned that we know the "rule" as much as he is that we live the "golden life." In many ways, this concept of doing for others what we would want done for us summarizes Jesus' teaching to his disciples about how to live for others. It also captures the spirit of the Old Testament Law and the teaching of the prophets. In other words, living to bless others is God's will for us in all of our relationships. We are not here to live for ourselves, but to bless others in the name of Jesus. This kind of life is transformational. God can use it in ways we would never anticipate to touch the lives of others.

Today's Prayer

Almighty and enabling God, help me focus less on my needs and my desires. Instead, dear Father, please help me hear the heart cry of those around me and then use me to serve them in your name and do for them what I would want done for me. Through the precious name of the Lord Jesus I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Matthew 22:36-39
  • Ephesians 5:21
  • Leviticus 19:18

Comments

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!