The application take-away of our text today is seen in v. 12 – “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” We call this the Golden Rule, and you’ve probably heard it since you were a kid. Jesus says this rule is the summation of the Law and the Prophets. The word “So” means that the rest of the passage relates to and explains it. Because of what I have just said, this is what you should do. You should do to others whatever it is that you wish others would do to you. In other places of the NT, Jesus says this is the second greatest commandment. The first greatest is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And then this – “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:39). Jesus said that all the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments. The two most important things for you to do are to love God with your whole being and love people as you love yourself.

It’s not uncommon for the Bible to be quoted by unbelievers. Today’s text contains what may be every non-Christian’s favorite verse – “Judge not, that you be not judged.” Christians are unfortunately notoriously judgmental, condemning people, and the unbelieving world knows it. Many Christians violate this command from Jesus by self-righteously puffing themselves up in pride over others, looking down on unbelievers and believers alike as inferior. It’s easy for Christians to think and behave very much like the scribes and Pharisees in Jesus’ day. “I’m better than most people. For sure, I’m not as bad as that person.” Unbelievers usually quote this verse to say that you are not allowed to judge anything I do or criticize me for me my sin – as if this verse is a catch-all verse that bans all judgment of any kind. But that is very clearly not what Jesus says or means here. Jesus did not forbid all judgment, but He forbid the wrong kind of judgment.

In our text today Jesus explains why you are free to pursue and seek after heavenly treasures and the accompanying peace that comes with it. God wants you to live your life without any anxiety or worry. He does not want you to live a life of stress and panic and nervousness and fear. He provides all that you need to be free from all those things so that you can live a life of peace and joy and satisfaction – now in this life and forever in the life to come.