The Golden Rule

"So, then, all the things which you wish that men should do to you, so you too do to them; for this is the law of the prophets." Matthew 7:12
Here we read probably the most universally famous thing that Jesus ever said. It has been referred to as the "Everest of teachings." Jews, Greeks, Romans, Buddhist and more have latched on to the idea of this teaching, but always in the negative form. For example - Confucius the philosopher was famous for his well known principle "Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself"
So... why have so many folks focused on the negative version of this rule, rather than the positive? Well, that's easy. It requires nothing of you. Seriously... nothing. It actually requires inaction. When this rule is lived out in it's negative form, it requires no religious, moral, or spiritual conviction. It's just a commonsense statement without which life could not exist... "don't kill people, because you don't want people to kill you." You could actually argue that folks stole this little guy from the 10 Commandments... So, God still gets credit for it.
This rule can be kept by anyone who has no belief and no interest in religion or spirituality. You could follow this rule your whole life, yet still be quite useless as a citizen. 
Jesus' spin on this rule "Do to others as you would have them do to you" commands us that we must actively do something. It introduces new principles and an attitude we ought to have towards others. It challenges us to go out of our way to help and be kind to others. It requires us to spend less time on our own desires and activities and more time concerned with others.
This makes me wonder about atheism... I wonder if an argument can be made that an atheist who is kind and helpful to others has been influenced not by unreligious and unspiritual teachings and morals... but by Jesus' positive "can-do" way of life. 
Imagine a world dominated by people who followed this rule. 


The Golden Rule

Garrison

So, last night a life-long dream was fulfilled... Tuesday and I attended A Prairie Home Companion at the Red Butte Garden in Salt Lake City. It was quite a night...

The weather called for severe rain storms and strong winds throughout the night... Not a good sign. We came prepared though... dressed head to toe in our best water-proof gear. We arrived to sit in line around 4:00... gates opened at 6:00. A substantial line had already formed when we got there. It was exciting to see so many Garrison Keillor enthusiasts in Salt Lake! We took our place in line and talked with a fella named Tim for the duration of our wait. I got goosebumps as I could hear the musicians on stage on the other side of the fence tuning and warming up. You could hear vintage organ and sound effects that A Prairie Home Companion is so well known for.

A huge line had now formed... I was amazed at how many people had come early. The storm came and went for the duration of our wait... The gusts were indeed mighty and the rain was heavy. At one point, a Red Butte employee came out and advised us all to wait in our cars. This meant giving up our place in line. No-one budged. They also announced that the show might be canceled on account of the strong winds. We wouldn't let ourselves believe this. By this point, we had become friends with all the folks sitting with us. The wine, whiskey, and scotch were flowing freely all around us... this kept the people around us laughing and inspired. We were all waiting nervously for a decision to be made... and then there was movement... the gates were opening! The clouds had broken up and the show was to go on!

We raced in and found a great spot right in the center of the seating area... Red Butte is a large grassy amphitheater. It's a beautiful venue, perfect for a show like this. The show started... it was all I imagined, hoped for and more. Dressed in his usual white, wrinkled suit, red tie, and red adidas sneakers, Garrison shared stories and poems that were marvelous. He poked fun at Utah and all the quirky laws and lifestyles here. At one point, he wandered off the stage and strolled through the entire audience singing a song and telling a story. He even walked right behind Tuesday and me!

A full moon had now come out as Guy Noir, The Cowboys, and Butter Milk Biscuits, and of course... The news from Lake Wobegon all made an appearance... The bluegrass musical numbers were wonderful. Sara Watkins was the featured musician and hit it out of the park.

I made a point to take a lot of mental pictures and appreciate the experience I was having. I had grown up listening to A Prairie Home. It was so extraordinary to finally see it in real life. There's no telling how much longer Garrison will be performing, so I made sure to take it all in.

How are we to respond to persecution? First I think it's important to note that here in America, persecution isn't as much an issue as it is in other parts of the world or how is was back in the day. I think the most abusive persecution I've endured here in America has been a response of uninterestedness. Sure, there might be the occasional slander, but nothing life threatening... not like being sawed in half like the early Christians. I can just picture having a conversation with Peter in heaven...

Dan: "Yeah, Peter... sharing Christ with people in America was tough... There were times I was ignored and laughed at." 

Peter: "Oh, I can totally relate... I was tortured, beaten, and then was put to death by being hung upside down on a cross..."

Whether it's life threatening or just really uncomfortable, it's all persecution. Sharing Christ in an environment that's hostile can be the most difficult thing to do. But suffering persecution is our opportunity to show our faithfulness and loyalty to Jesus. There are SO many who've suffered and died for the sake of Christ. These folks have paved the way for us! We can honor them by continuing in there steps. To have to "suffer" persecution is, as Jesus Himself said, "the way to walk the same road as the prophets, the saints, and the martyr's have walked."

To have to suffer persecution is to share in the great "occasion." We should consider it thrilling to be part of something memorable and crucial in sharing Christ. When we are called upon to suffer something, anything for our faith in God, that is always a memorable and crucial moment... it is referred to as "the great occasion."

It is the clash between the world and Christ.

It is not a penalty, but a glorious moment.

"He that shall live this day and see old age, will yearly on the vigil feast his friends, and say, 'tomorrow is Saint Crispian.' Then will strip his sleeve and show his scars, and say, 'these wounds I had on Crispin's day.' -Shakespeare in Henry the Fifth before the battle of Agincourt

"Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9

The American definition of peace is the freedom FROM something. It's the absence of evil, war, strife, etc. Unfortunately we're only experiencing half of the blessing. The peace that is described here includes receiving, enjoying, and to be in the presence of all things good. I think it's so cool that folks in the middle east greet each other with "Salaam alaikum..." They are wishing peace upon one another! What a great way to start a conversation. Seems so much deeper than a "Hey, what's up?"

Next, the blessing is bestowed upon the one who's making peace... not the one who's just basking in it. It goes to the one who's taking the necessary action to preserve peace, not the one evading or avoiding the issue at hand.

So, what does being a child of God mean? That's another one of those things I've always read and though "Yeah, wow... I want to be that." But never really knew what it all entailed. Apparently, the word 'child' is another way of saying 'son'... and calling someone "a son" of something was the typical way to describe someone. Rather than saying "Joe is a peaceful man..." they would say "Joe is the son of peace..." So this beatitude can be read as "Blessed are the ones who actively pursue peace, for the are doing a God-like action!"

One other interesting note... there are 3 ways to look at pursuing peace.

1. Making the world a better place

2. Conquering your own inner conflict

3. Establishing a right relationship between man and man. This seemed to be the most important pursuit of peace. For it has been said "The man who divided men is doing the devil's work, while the man who unites men is doing God's work."

Insults

"Yours is the bliss when men shall heap their insults on you, and shall persecute you, and shall say in their lies all kind of evil things against you for My sake. Your reward will be great in heaven..." Matthew 4:18-10
One of the things I love about Jesus' ministry is that He gave it to people straight. He didn't sugarcoat anything. The things that were great, were described as great. The things that were gonna be hard, were described as being hard. Folks knew what they were getting themselves in to when they set out to follow Christ. It would be an adventure of a lifetime, but would require great risk and sacrifice.
Here we find yet another example of Jesus teaching about something based on His own experience. I believe He teaches about these things because He knew it would be something we would struggle with for a lifetime. He doesn't waste His breath beating around the bush... He was honest and taught the most relevant and applicable topics. There's no "This might happen..." it's all "This will happen..." It's not "O the bliss of those who MIGHT get persecuted..." It's "O the bliss of those who ARE persecuted."
There are certain things we can count on happening when we follow Christ.
1. It will disrupt your work and "living."If it came to choice between a loyalty and living, the real christian never hesitated to choose loyalty."
2. It will disrupt your social life. "A man must be prepared to have spells of loneliness in order to follow Christ."
3. It will disrupt your home life. "Following Christ often involves a choice between a man's nearest dearest and Jesus Christ."

Peace

"Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9

The american definition of peace is the freedom FROM something. It's the absence of evil, war, strife, etc. Unfortunately we're only experiencing half of the blessing. The peace that is described here includes receiving, enjoying, and to be in the presence of all things good. I think it's so cool that folks in the middle east greet each other with "Saslaam alaikum..." They are wishing peace upon one another! What a great way to start a conversation. Seems so much deeper than a "Hey, what's up?"

Next, the blessing is bestowed upon the one who's making peace... not the one who's just basking in it. It goes to the one who's taking the necessary action to preserve peace, not the one evading or avoiding the issue at hand.

So, what does being a child of God mean? That's another one of those things I've always read and though "Yeah, wow... I want to be that." But never really knew what it all entailed. Apparently, the word 'child' is another way of saying 'son'... and calling someone "a son" of something was the typical way to describe someone. Rather than saying "Joe is a peaceful man..." they would say "Joe is the son of peace..." So this beatitude can be read as "Blessed are the ones who actively pursue peace, for the are doing a God-like action!"

One other interesting note... there are 3 ways to look at pursuing peace.

1. Making the world a better place

2. Conquering your own inner conflict

3. Establishing a right relationship between man and man. This seemed to be the most important pursuit of peace. For it has been said "The man who divided men is doing the devil's work, while the man who unites men is doing God's work."

Fit to be Pure

 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8

Ok, this one sounds important... I'd better figure out what it means to have a pure heart. The greek word for pure is katharos. It refers to either cleaning soiled clothes, or an unwavering army free from cowardly, unwilling, and inefficient soldiers. Katharos is used in conjunction with the word akeratos. This is something that is unadulterated (like wine that's not diluted with water.)
Is it truly possible for us to do something with an absolute pure heart, free from any alternative motive? When we give, is it 100% pure, or is there some contentment in the self-approval or sacrifice made? Do we relish the credit we may receive? When we make a sacrifice or do something heroic, is it because we want others to see it?
On the news the other night, a 2 year old girl fell off a pier into icy water. A frenchmen nearby saw what happened, jumped in, and saved this little girls life. He didn't know her, he didn't even speak much english. The news didn't even give his name. I believe he had 100% pure motives. I think that an act like this is rare. Probably why it's included in the beatitudes. Jesus knew that it's hard for us to do things without the motivation of pay, prestige, or social pressure. To examine yourself and your motives can be pretty daunting and discouraging. Our society is built on satisfying other people's perception of success, happiness, and wealth. In short, we want to impress others.
Next, what does it mean to have the ability to "see God?" The other night, Adrian Fry, a professional ballet dancer from Portland, stayed with us. He was in Salt Lake auditioning for a spot with Ballet West, Utah's big dance company. I had THE BEST time asking him questions about all the in's and out's of being a professional ballet dancer. Our conversation turned to how hard it was that there are people who go to the ballet, opera, or any art gallery who aren't educated and can't appreciate the history, giftedness, and hard work that goes into it. Unfortunately, we are only able to see what we are FIT to see. I can go outside at night and look up at the stars and say "Wow, that's a lot of stars... cool." But an astronomer can go out and see constellations, galaxies, and give me a tour of the universe. It's because he is educated and fit to see this.
Having a pure heart makes us fit to see God. Sure, anyone can see hints and signs of God here and there... but knowledge, humility, unadulterated motives, and a pure heart make us fit to see God in all His glory.