Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened.” Jesus continued, “Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” In chapter seven and verse twelve of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples,“whatever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them” where we read:
Therefore all things whatsoever you would that men should do to you,
do you even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
The verse reads, “Therefore all things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, ...” Matthew began with the word, “therefore” or “then, accordingly, consequently and these things being so” “all things” which means “each, every, the whole and everyone of the things” “whatsoever” which denotes “a supposition, wish and possibility or uncertainty” “you would” or “the disciples would have in mind, intend, will, desire and purpose” “that men” which refers to “in order and so that people whether male or female” “should do to you” or “should make, produce, construct, make ready, prepare and fashion for the disciples”. Jesus presented the first part of His idea concerning whatever “things” the disciples desired other people to “prepare and deliver” unto them.
The verse goes on to say, “... do you even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Matthew continued with the words, “do you even so” or “the disciples were to indeed, and also make, produce, construct, make ready, prepare and fashion” “to them” which refers to “toward people whether male or female”: “for this” or “because, since, on account of and that doing unto others as the disciples would want them to do for them” “is the law” which means “means the rule producing a state approved of God” “and the prophets” or “as well as ones who were moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman, solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation”. Jesus told His disciples to “do” for “others” as they would like “others” to “do” for them because this is what God's “law” and the words of His “prophets” fully meant.
When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how this is different than any other directive toward others. Instead of responding to others and the way they act toward the disciples, the disciples were to act toward others in a manner in which they would desire. In other words, treat people the way the disciples would want to be treated. God Almighty fulfills this directive constantly with people even when they do not accept His Son as their personal “Savior and Lord”, and because He desires to have a relationship with every person, God sent His Son Jesus to die for their sins, be raised from the grave and therein offers “everlasting life” to everyone who believes. This is the Greatest fulfillment of the “law and the prophets” and the completion of “the Golden Rule”.
Next time Jesus tells His disciples, “enter in at the straight gate”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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