The Word in Focus with Dr Larry Taylor

Thoughts on the Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5-7

Part 16

The best way to help others and develop kingdom friendships is to ask people what they need and tell them (lovingly) what you need.

^7:7“Askand it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 

In the Greek, all of the verbs indicate continuous action – keep on asking, keep on searching ….

Asking for what you need and asking others what they need is an effective and affable way to help others. It results in a community of prayerful love. The beloved community.

That applies to our relationship with God as well. Come to God like a child coming to an omnibenevolent parent.

^7:9 Is there anyone among you who, if your child asked for bread, would give a stone? ¹⁰ Or if the child asked for a fish, would give a snake? ¹¹ If you, then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. (John 16:24)

God is loving, kind, generous, merciful; never contemptuous or retributive. God delights to give good gifts to us. So, with God and with others, be honest, straightforward; ask for what you need. And keep praying – there’s a battle in the heavenlies (see Daniel 10). And remember, under it all, “Thy will be done.”  

The main section of the Sermon on the Mount concludes with the Golden Rule. It summarizes everything we’ve learned thus far.

• ^7:12a “Therefore whatever you would have others do unto you, so do unto them.” (NMB)
• ^7:12 “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (NRSVUE)
• ^7:12 “Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get.” (MSG)

You’ll often hear people say that the Golden Rule is found in every religion. The implication is often that all religions are equally valid. It’s partially true.

Hinduism says, “One should not behave toward others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself.” (Mahābhārata, Anushasana Parva 113.8) 

Buddhism says, “Hurt not others with that which pains yourself.” (Udana Varga, 5:18) 

Confucius said, “Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.” (The Analects, 15:24)

But notice the difference. They’re all negative and reactive – don’t do what you don’t want done to you. Jesus is positive and proactive – go and actively do what you would like others to do for you.

Be like your heavenly Father. God is perfect, other-oriented, universal, infinite, cruciform love. Treat others as God treats them. Proactively do good.