Children’s Sermon

Matthew 22:34-46

The Golden Rule

You might remember that last week’s Gospel story spoke about rules – and how many of them we have to follow in life. There are family rules and school rules… and while we don’t usually talk about them, we even have some understood rules about what we do (and don’t do) here at church, don’t we?

Sometimes it feels like life is so full of rules that we can hardly keep up with them all. But there’s one rule that is so special – so important – that it’s known by people all over the world by a special name: The Golden Rule.

The Golden Rule – which Jesus teaches in today’s Gospel reading – is called this because it could almost take the place of nearly all the others. If you are following this rule, chances are pretty good that you’re not breaking any others (whether they’re God’s rules or rules that we’ve created).

Do you know what it is?

It’s sometimes said in slightly different ways, but the point is this: treat other people in the same way that you would like to be treated. In today’s Gospel story Jesus says the same thing with a little bit different wording. He says to “love your neighbor as yourself.”

Think about that. If you loved your neighbors as yourself would you hurt or kill them? (No) Would you lie to them? (No) Would you steal from them? (No)

Do you see why it’s called The Golden Rule? With all of the rules in the Bible – and there are a lot – Jesus tells the Pharisees today that all they need to know comes down to just two things: Love God and love your neighbor as yourself. (Do you think you can remember them both?)

So this week let’s remember The Golden Rule – and show our love and respect to others in just the same way we would hope for them to show these things to us. I promise that it will make all the difference.

Let’s pray.

Dear God,
We thank you for Jesus’ lessons – and for this one in particular. Help us to love others as we love ourselves.

Amen.