Our scripture this morning is Matthew 7:7-12.
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you then, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! In everything, treat others as you would want them to treat you, for this fulfills the law and the prophets.
Jesus teaches us to be patient and persistent, that we must ask, seek and knock. He uses human examples we can understand to explain that God has wonderful gifts for us, but we must go to Him in order to receive them and use them wisely. The rest of the lesson is that we must “treat others as you would want them to treat you”.
This “Golden Rule” is a way of turning the situation around. What if we were the one who had been wronged – wouldn’t we want the other to apologize, ask forgiveness and make amends? Now the other side – if we had harmed someone, wouldn’t we want forgiveness and reconciliation? This is what God calls us to in our relationship with Him and each other.
The focus of all the lessons Jesus gives is us, God’s beloved children. I once heard it said that we are the reason God gets up every morning. He wants us to be connected to Him and each other in love, sharing the gifts we are given for the good of all.
Loving Lord, we are sorry for the ways we treat each other, ignoring the commandment to love one another. Strengthen us in faith and send us to share Your love in amazing ways. Amen.
