Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 7:12 The Golden Rule
Jesus preached many beautiful lessons in the Sermon on the Mount. The lessons were practical and applied to everyday life. One important thing that Jesus said in his Sermon was to "do to others what you would have them do to you." This is so valuable that it is often called the "Golden Rule."
INTRODUCTION
The Sermon on the Mount is filled with meaningful teaching, but it would be too much to cover in one lesson. An excellent way to present the lesson today is first to list the five main points of the Sermon as outlined below. Following this, return to the fourth point and cover the Golden Rule in more detail. As Jesus instructed, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:12 NIV)
A negative form of the golden rule is found in Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. It was even found in Greek and Roman ethical teachings. However, it is not enough to say, "do not do to people the things that you do not like done to you." We could follow that advice by simply doing nothing. We could avoid people altogether. Instead, Jesus stated the same thing but positively: "Do to others." This requires us to interact with people. We must take positive action with those around us.
One way to divide the Sermon between Matthew is as follows:
1. (Matthew 5:1-16)
Be Lights in a Dark World.
The first part of the Sermon is called the "beatitudes," which means being most blessed. Being blessed is more than just being happy. A spiritual mindset and sense of fulfillment come from choosing God's way in whatever circumstance we find ourselves. Jesus lists several difficult circumstances and the blessing that can come despite them. This way of life does not just make our own lives better. Living according to God's instructions makes a real difference to our world. The section ends with Jesus saying, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16 NIV) This is more detailed in the lesson Jesus Teaches About Salt and Light.
2. (Matthew 5:17-48)
It is Not Just About Rules-Be Good Because God is Good
Jewish leaders of the day made following God more about outward rules and regulations and not about obeying God from the heart. In this Sermon, Jesus contrasts these two approaches and makes it clear that living in God's kingdom is not just about what people do or seem to do on the outside that matters. God wants our actions AND our hearts. Because Jesus compares this new way of living to the Old Testament Laws, some people compare this part of the Sermon to God giving the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai. This Sermon is on a mountain.
The section ends with "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48 NIV). Of course, we are not perfect, but our eyes should be on God's perfection, and this should be our example and aim.
3. (Matthew 6:1-18)
Be Genuine-Obeying God is Not About Getting Attention
Jesus talks about giving to those in need, praying, and fasting. He speaks of hypocrites who make these acts of worship very public actions. Jesus points out that God is unseen and knows what happens in secret. He says, "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your father in heaven." (Matthew 6:1 NIV)
4. (Matthew 6:19-7:12)
Real Treasure is Being with God. Live a Rich and Generous Life.
This portion of the Sermon begins with "Where your treasure is, there your heart will also be." (Matthew 6:21 NIV) How we view money, and earthly possessions reveal what we value most. God's generous grace towards us inspires a generous grace in how we judge others. Jesus encourages his audience to draw upon God's generous nature and to be generous in how we treat others. At this point in the Sermon, Jesus instructs them with what is known as the "Golden Rule" (THIS LESSON'S MAIN POINT)
5. (Matthew 7:13-28)
Make the Wise Choice to Hear and Obey
Hearing Jesus' words is not enough. The teaching must be put into practice. The Sermon on the Mount ends with a choice between two gates. The wide gate seems more straightforward, and many people choose it. Choosing the wide gate leads to destruction. Fewer people choose the narrow gate. The narrow gate is more complicated, but it leads to life.
Jesus warns us not to listen to "false prophets" who say things that might tempt us to make the wrong choice. They can be recognized as false by the way they say one thing and do another.
Finally, Jesus leaves the crowd with a parable about two builders. This is further explored in the lesson Parable of Wise and Foolish Builders.
The gospel of Luke records Jesus saying many of the same things as in Matthew but in various settings and times. For example, our memory verse today is found both in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:12) and in the Sermon in Luke 6:17-49. Scholars have differing opinions concerning whether the Sermon was preached in one sitting or if it is a collection of a few sermons or teachings of Jesus combined. It would make sense that Jesus was repeating many of the same teachings to his various audiences.
Jesus taught about the kingdom of God and how to live in it. The Sermon is not just about what to believe. It is practical and teaches how to live.
COMMENTARY
Once, when Jesus saw a crowd of people, he went up onto the side of a mountain to teach them.
Teachers in those times usually sat down when they were teaching, so when Jesus sat down, the people gathered around him to hear what he had to say.
The people had heard other teachers and preachers, but they were amazed at what Jesus said to them. They could tell that Jesus was speaking the truth. What Jesus said that day was so important that his Sermon (or speech) was written down in our Bibles for all of us to read even many years later. Since he was speaking from the side of a mountain, people refer to what he said that day as "The Sermon on the Mount."
Jesus was a good teacher. When people listened to him, they learned many important things about God. But Jesus did not just talk about what people should know. He also taught people the best way to live. He taught about worshipping God, but he also taught about being kind to people and helping others.
Let us list some of the things Jesus talked about in the Sermon on the Mount.
Many people in the world do not know about God or follow him. When people do not follow God, the world is in darkness. However, Jesus told his followers that they could be like a light in the dark world. If they obeyed God, people could know the right things to do.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus also talked about following rules. Other teachers said it made God happy if people obeyed all the rules. However, Jesus said if you only follow God's rules on the outside but do not love him on the inside from your heart, then this makes God sad. God is our heavenly father, and we are his children. Children want to be like their fathers, so Jesus said, "Try to be good like God; your father is good!
However, some religious leaders followed God's rules to get attention. They liked to stand on a street corner and pray loud so that everyone would hear them and think they were good. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said that God could hear us pray even if we whisper or go to a quiet place alone. Anytime we do good things, God sees what is happening. We should do good things to make God happy and not just to show off to other people.
Another thing Jesus talked about in the Sermon on the Mount was a treasure. Sometimes people worry about money, clothes, or food, but Jesus said that if you follow God, you are rich! You have treasures in heaven waiting for you. People that think about earthly treasures get disappointed if the treasure gets lost or stolen. So which is more valuable, treasure on earth or treasure in heaven?
Jesus said we will be sad if we always worry about things on earth. If we remember we have treasure in heaven, we know that treasure will last forever.
The last thing Jesus said in his Sermon was about making a wise choice. He said there were two choices, and the choices were like gates. One gate is vast and easy to go through. Most people chose this gate. They always do what is easy instead of what is good. The other gate is narrow and more brutal to go through. Not as many people choose to go through it. The people that go through the narrow gate are willing to do the right thing even if it is difficult.
Jesus said the wide gate leads to a life filled with destruction, and the narrow gate leads to a beautiful life that leads to an even better life someday with God. So, where do you think the gates lead? Which gate would you choose?
Jesus said many other essential things in the Sermon on the Mount. So many things that it might be challenging to remember them all!
Even if we do not remember everything, Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount that there is one thing I would like us to try very hard to remember. If we remember this one thing Jesus said, we will always know how to treat people. It is like a valuable rule that always works in any situation. It is so valuable that some people call it "The Golden Rule." Would you like to hear what the Golden Rule is? This is the golden rule that Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount and at other times.
"Do to others as you would have them do to you." Luke 6:31, NIV
How you wish people would treat you is how you should always treat them. Do you wish people were always kind to you? Then it would be best if you treated others with kindness.
Do you wish others had told you the truth? Then you should be the kind of person that tells the truth.
What do you wish people would do for you if you were hurt or sad? Then when we notice someone is hurt or sad, what should we do for them?
If someone hurts us, we feel like hurting them back. Nevertheless, that is not the Golden Rule. The Golden Rule is that we only treat people like we wish to be treated. Jesus knew that following the Golden Rule would be complex sometimes but do you remember what he said about the gates? Choosing to follow the Golden Rule is like going through a narrow gate. It may be more difficult, but it leads to the best life!
So now you know the story of the Sermon on the Mount and the Golden Rule. Moreover, what is the Golden Rule?
