The most popular question in Christian circles today is "What would Jesus do?" This question is the theme of a book entitled In His Steps, written by Charles Sheldon. In this fictional story, the people of a town are transformed in wonderful ways when they decide to always ask themselves the question, "What would Jesus do?" before they do anything. This question has been reduced to four letters (W.W.J.D) and these four letters have become a religious fashion item that generates a lot of cash. The fact that there is a large demand for such fashion items, shows that the desire for serious Bible study has decreased and the appetite for religious fiction has increased. Christian bookstores have found that more money is spent on fiction rather than non-fiction, and more is spent on videos, T-shirts, jewelry, and other such items than on books of any kind. Fiction is not necessarily bad, and slogans are not necessarily wrong. However, when these things replace careful reading and serious study of the Scriptures, it is wrong. When people wear W.W.J.D. items, but have no interest in studying the life of Christ as revealed in God's word, such items are worthless. While watch the NBA finals, I noticed one of the players wearing a W.W.J.D. bracelet, so I became inquisitive about his behavior, was that question on his mind or just on his arm. I do not know for sure concerning this one athlete but I have seen people with that bracelet on their arm and I thought to myself, what they were doing I hope Jesus would not do.
That question is rather subjective, the answer rest in the hands of the individual. That is risky business. Because the Bible demonstrates repeatedly that the disciples were confused about what Jesus should do, much less answering the question what would Jesus do. When you think about Peter's response to Jesus saying that He will go to Jerusalem to suffer and die. Or when his friend Lazarus was sick and dying, rather than rushing to his bedside, like we all would think Jesus would do, He tarried, which none of us including the disciples thought He would do. Or when that Roman centurion's daughter was on her deathbed, Jesus rushes to her bedside, as we all would think He would do. But when that woman with the issue of blood touches Him, He stops and hold a conversation with her, which none of us including the disciples thought He would do. The classical example of Jesus doing what no one in His time thought that He would do is His noontime visit with the Samaritan woman at the well. Figuring out what would Jesus do seems an impossible task for us. Now, I am not saying that the Bible does not give us clear mandates on what expectations Jesus has for us. John 14:34 records Jesus as saying, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." Like Jesus, we should be concern with the poor, the oppressed, the children, and the widow. When there is someone in need and it is conceivable that Jesus would stop and help and so should we. Nevertheless, in Luke 6: 31, Jesus gives us rule that should guide our decisions and our actions. A way of figuring out how to treat one another justly.
This text comes to us as part of the sermon in the plain, "the level place." For Luke, the mountain is a place of prayer (Lk. 6:12). But, down in the valley, in the level places where real people live and where real relationships are unequal and unfair. The level places where the "haves" and the "have-nots" come into contact. So Luke places this sermon down on the level place for the disciples and for the crowds in the "real world." Furthermore, Luke says that the audience for this sermon came from Tyre, from Sidon, from south and north, this is Luke's way of saying that this sermon is for everyone from the four corners of the earth. While in the opening Luke says that Jesus lifted up his eyes "on his disciples" (6:20), he closes the sermon by saying that it was in the hearing of all "the people" (7:1). This passage is one that has universal applications for all but also particular implications for the individual. So this message is not only for your neighbor, it is also for you. It is not only for "them" but it is also for us. You do not have to take out the time to look around to find out whom I am addressing, because I am addressing everyone especially you. This message has the words written across it, "Confidential" and "Please Deliver Directly to You".
This particular verse, Luke 6:31 has been nicknamed the Golden Rule. This maxim is also found in the gospel of Matthew 7:12 with the ending "this is the law and the prophets." This truth is not exclusive to Jesus or to the Bible. This great truth as been grabbled after by some of the great philosophers of all time. Philosophers such as Socrates, Aristotle, Buddha, Confucius, and Hillel each have groped after this truth but they stated it thus, "Do not do to others what you would not have done to you" thus making it a rule of not doing rather than of doing. The striking difference between these teachers and Christ lies not in the statements so much as in the exemplification. Jesus lived the Golden Rule in his conduct toward the masses while maintaining perfect righteousness before God. Matthew gospel addition "for this is the law and the prophets" illustrate for us that this saying summarize the Torah and the writings of the Old Testament which were written with stress on covenant relationship ramifications. This is not some editorial remark at the end but it is the zenith, the highest point, the peak and the culminating point of the sermon in the plain. The Golden Rule answers the question, What should I do?
The weight of this saying weighs heavily on the shoulders of humanity. The reason that it weighs heavily is because this rule moves from the mind to the heart, from the talk to the walk. This rule does not have a place in the theological realm of concepts and ideas, but it is practical and applicable in everyday life, in the lowly places. This passage finds meaning only where the rubber meets the road. This rule can serve as is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the believers' by-laws and the Christian charter. It places on the individual the highest responsibility and offers the greatest rewards. It contains the power to rule the heart and guide the feet. This simple passage answers the most profound question of this modern age, "What should I do?" It gives those who hear the ability to determine right from wrong in a very confused world. We can and should live our lives based on this rule. How do I want to be treat is how I will treat my neighbor, regardless of race, creed, color, gender, economic status or political affiliation. I will treat others not based on some quality in them but based on some quality in me. I will treat others as I would like to be treated.
Many of us are quick to apply this rule to others. In order that we can live by what I call the fool's golden rule. That is "Do unto others as they have done unto you." Making the rule one of re-action rather than pro-action. However, Jesus realizes that others may not treat you in love or treat you justly. But he demands that we treat them in love and with justice. We cannot be lured into the low roads of human relationships where revenge is god and retaliation is its altar. But we must travel on the high roads of forgiveness and allow justice to reign supreme. When Martin Luther King, Jr. lead the Civil Rights movement in the 50's and 60's he realized that people would falter and they would desire to return evil for evil, he would echo the words of Amos, "But let justice run down like water, And righteousness like a mighty stream" (Amos 5:24 NKJV). In our daily dealings with others, we must be mindful of how we want them to do unto us.
I do not know if this passage is applicable in social, political or economic spheres but there is no doubt in my mind that this rule is relevant in our personal lives. If justice is to become a reality, then we must practice the golden rule in one-on-one situations. If justice will become real then we must begin to "Do to others as you would have them do to you".
If you desire love, then do love unto others. If you desire mercy, then do mercy unto others. If you desire patience from others, then be patience with others. If you desire gentleness, then be gentle unto others. How you desire to be treated, then portray the example in the way you treat others. You may be asking, how should I treat my wife, treat her the way you desire to be treated. You may be asking, how should I treat my husband, treat him the way you desire to be treated. How should you treat your children, treat them the way you desire to be treated. How should I treat my neighbor, treat them in the way you desire to be treated. If you want respect show respect to others, if you want compassion then show compassion to others, if you want a friend then show yourself friendly. How should I treat that person from the opposite sides of the tracks, that person from the wrong neighborhood, that person with a different ethnic background, a different color, a different creed, a different sexual orientation or that person with a different outlook on life? How do I treat those people, Do unto them, as you would have them do to you.
May God Bless You.
