Do Unto Others: "Gold, Platinum, and Politics" - September 1st, 2024

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Not Christmas, silly-goose, ELECTION SEASON! In all seriousness, this is far from the most wonderful time of the year for many of us. Our world seems to be consumed with division-often typified by the colors red and blue. Rather than stay in our monochromatic silos, Jesus challenges us to "Do Unto Others" as we engage in conversation and seek to create whatever common good we can with our relatives, friends, and neighbors who we might consider to be on the "other side" politically and ideologically. When we "Do Unto Others" the way Jesus models for us, the idea is not that we are obliterating either one or trying to change each other. Instead, we discover the beauty that can be created when we work together to make the world a better place. This "purple space" is where we cultivate kindness, compassion, humility, respect, and love for one another and the good of all the world, no matter what.
This week, we begin by rooting ourselves in "Kindness" and learning what Jesus means by "Do Unto Others." We find the answers in Luke 6:31-36 where Jesus offers one of his first teachings to the world early on in His ministry. He begins with a familiar rule of life, "do unto others as you would have them do to you." This very familiar saying has come to be known as the "Golden Rule." What may not be familiar to you (and maybe shocking) is that Jesus did not invent this saying or rule. (The term itself wasn't a thing until about the 17th century when some Anglican theologians coined it). The saying/rule was first seen in the Egyptian culture in 2000 BCE and shows up in almost every ethical/religious tradition that has ever existed.
Don't worry! Jesus wasn't plagiarizing. Instead, He was doing what He always did. Taking an idea, rule, or social norm and then turning it on its head to give folks a vision for the new way to live life Jesus was revealing to the world. Jesus begins to paint a picture that all is not well with the Golden Rule. He begins to demonstrate that, in many ways, the Golden Rule can be a very self-centered way to live life. After all, if you are doing something because you want someone to reciprocate the same in return or people to affirm you, that's a pretty self-focused way to live. (He would say that's how everyone lives life, really). Jesus says the BEST way to live is to do for others without expecting anything in return, even your enemies! Why? Because that's how God is.
Quite subtly, Jesus offers a new rule, which many call the "Platinum Rule". Do unto others as they would have done to themselves. In other words, treat people how they want to be treated...not how you want to be treated. This seems so subtle, but it's a tectonic shift in how we live our lives. It puts our focus on the other person...their needs, wants, and hopes. It's an empathetic way to live a life that says we want to know the other person's needs, wants and hopes. It's a posture that allows us to be more selfless, which is what God is like and how God loves. A love that freely gives, expecting nothing in return. A love that seeks to understand us and meet us where we are at.
Jesus is teaching us here that the "Golden Rule" is pretty good! It's a good place to start and is generally a decent way to live. The "Platinum Rule" is better and leads us to a more perfect way to love and live our lives. Another way to say it would be...
Gold is Good, but Platinum is Perfect
Here's the thing: We have discovered that more than 99% of our DNA is the same from one human to another. The Golden Rule leans into that, acknowledging that we are more the same than different. The word KINdness highlights that we are all more KIN (family) than we are not. However, we all know that family can be challenging, revealing a truth that the "less than 1% of our DNA that is different" matters a lot, and the "Platinum Rule" acknowledges and honors those differences.
If you have any questions about what you heard or feedback, please know we are here to support you. You can reach us at [e-mail] or Pastor Sam at [e-mail]. Your spiritual journey is important to us, and we are here to walk alongside you.
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From us to you, we wish you peace and every good.