Fields United Methodist Church

Day 49. Take Time to Be Holy

June 9, 2020

“In everything do to others as you would have them do to you.” Matthew 7:12

Read: Matthew 7

There are moments when the words and deeds of others affect us to the core and can have a lasting impact on how the world is perceived.  There is a question that is raised in the words of Jesus “in everything, do to others as you would have them do to you;” why would you say or do something to somebody else that profoundly hurt you? Jesus calls us, implores us, to the point of dying on a cross to witness a love that does not hurt others, to witness grace that sees all people as children of God, beloved and honored.  There is a true story of a boy who, from his first day of middle school to the last, and all the days in between was hurt everyday by the words of others. He kept those words to himself, never forgetting those who spoke them nor the words themselves. As he grew older and accepted the grace of Jesus Christ into his life, he vowed never to treat another as he was treated, knowing the wounds that are incurred by the hatred of others.  God calls us to treat others with the same grace that God has treated us, grace that opens our eyes to seeing the best in all people and to model a lifestyle reflecting the very heart of Jesus, who actually died on a cross in order that all people would know and could experience the joy, hope, peace, and love that is God. I suppose there are 2 ways we could live life; we could live a life of vengeance, judgment and animosity that saps our strength, pitting ourselves against another, or we could live a life of grace and peace that reflects the “marvelous grace of our loving Lord, grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt.” (“Grace Greater than Our Sin,” Julia Johnson) Perhaps Jesus is calling us to actually live out the great commandment to truly love our neighbors as ourselves, treating others with the same dignity, honor and grace as we are treated by God, through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you Jesus!

Prayer:  Jesus, empower me to see others and treat others and I would like to be seen and treated, as your child beloved and cherished.  Thank you Jesus for the grace you have offered me and help me to offer the same grace to others. Amen