On my office desk, there is a mug that reads, “I can do all things through a verse taken out of context.” I love it! It makes me laugh and reminds me to consider the context of a Bible verse. Hearing a well-known verse in its larger context can totally change its meaning (don’t get me started on the true context of Joshua 1:9).
I recently heard two well-known verses in Matthew that I didn’t realize were connected; we usually hear them in isolation. Matthew 7:12: “In everything do unto others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.” And then Matthew 7:13-14: “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Now, just because two verses are adjacent does not mean Jesus literally spoke the sentences in one breath. However, the Holy Spirit nudges us to make connections or ask questions as we hold up two Scriptures together. It’s like hanging two paintings next to each other – sometimes the pairing helps you see new details.
We have all heard some variation of the “Golden Rule” from Matthew 7:12. But how often have we thought of the “narrow gate…to life” as walking the path of the Golden Rule? Loving our neighbors as ourselves is, indeed, a hard task. And it is much easier to take the path of self-interest. But the Wonderful Counselor gives sage advice: walk the path of neighbor-love, and there, you will find abundant life.