[This reflection by Dazz Jones was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 23/Mar/2025]
We must’ve heard it a thousand times: “Treat others as you would have them treat you.” It’s been on posters, coffee mugs, and social media captions. But when Jesus originally talked about loving others, He wasn’t just throwing us a cute moral slogan—He was flipping the entire religious system of the day on its head.
See, in Jesus’ time, love was often selective. You loved people like you. You loved your family, your friends, and those who fit within your community. The religious leaders of the day taught that love had rules, restrictions, and boundaries. But Jesus redefines what it means to love God and love people, showing that real love is radical, inclusive, and relentless.
When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus didn’t hesitate. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind,” He said. But He didn’t stop there. “And the second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself”.[1]
In case we missed it, let me highlight it for you. Jesus linked loving God with loving people. You cannot have one without the other. It’s easy to say we love God when we’re singing worship songs with our friends on a Sunday, but what about when we’re dealing with that difficult co-worker? The family member who knows exactly how to push our buttons? Jesus makes it clear: Loving God means showing love to the people around us—no matter who they are (or how annoying they are!)
“Sure, we should love our neighbours”, the people and teachers would have thought, “but only the ones who deserve it”. So, one of them tried to test Jesus by asking, “Who is my neighbour?”[2] Jesus answered with a story about a man who was beaten and left for dead on the side of the road. A priest walked by and ignored him. A Levite—another religious leader—did the same. But then, a Samaritan, someone from a group hated by the Jews, stopped, showed compassion, and helped the man.
Jesus’ message was: Love doesn’t come with fine print. There are no exceptions, and no asterisks after the point. Love crosses every boundary—race, status, orientation, background, and politics. If someone is in front of you, they are your neighbour. Period.
So, how do we actually live this out? How do we push past religious boundaries and love with genuine compassion? Jesus didn’t just preach love—He lived it. He touched lepers when no one else would. He ate with sinners and tax collectors. He loved people who could do nothing for Him in return. That’s the kind of love He’s calling us to.
The Golden Rule isn’t just a nice idea—it’s a radical way of life. Let’s go love like Jesus. No exceptions.
Resources:
[1] Matthew 22:37-39
[2] Luke 10:29
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Last Sunday’s reflection: Freedom From The Love Of Money by Helen Ruffhead
Contributed by Dazz Jones; © Dazz Jones