The Law, the Prophets, and the Golden Rule - Pastor Johnny Dyck
This morning, we gathered to reflect on the heart of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:12, often called the Golden Rule: “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” This single sentence distills centuries of God’s revelation, from the law of Moses to the voices of the prophets, into a call for love in action. God’s desire has always been for a people who love Him and love one another, and Jesus brings this to its pinnacle in the Sermon on the Mount.
Looking at the structure of Jesus’ sermon, we see how He begins by turning our expectations upside down with the Beatitudes, challenging our natural ways of thinking. Throughout the sermon, He addresses the heart behind our actions—whether in giving, prayer, fasting, or relationships—calling us to a deeper surrender to God rather than outward performance. As He draws to a close in chapter 7, Jesus summarizes the entire law and prophetic tradition in the command to treat others as we wish to be treated. This is not a new teaching, but the fulfillment and culmination of God’s heart for relationship, as seen in Deuteronomy and Leviticus: love God, and love your neighbor as yourself.
The law, like a mirror, reflects God’s character—His justice, holiness, and love. When we treat others with respect, dignity, and fairness, we reflect God’s love to the world. Jesus not only taught this principle but embodied it, fulfilling the law through His life and ultimately through His sacrificial death on the cross. He lifted up the poor and the outcast, showing us that every person is worthy of love and acceptance.
Yet, this command is not something we can live out by sheer willpower. Our hearts must be transformed by the Holy Spirit. Only through the Spirit’s work can we consistently love others, even those who have hurt us or seem undeserving. Every person we encounter bears the image of God and is loved by Him. When we treat others with the same grace and dignity we desire, we participate in building God’s kingdom on earth. This is not a passive avoidance of harm, but an active pursuit of encouragement and upliftment for those around us.