
What Makes the Golden Rule the Greatest Command?
BibleProject
Exploring Desire in the Sermon on the Mount
Desire plays a pivotal role in the Sermon on the Mount, serving as a thematic focal point. At the core of the message is the call to a greater righteousness, which emphasizes fulfilling the teachings of the Torah and the prophets through actions that honor both God and one's neighbors. The message begins and concludes with the essence of the golden rule, which dictates treating others as one wishes to be treated. Central to this is the Lord's Prayer, which asks for God's desires to be realized on earth, reflecting a vision for human flourishing. This framework reconfigures personal desires to align with the greater good, ultimately suggesting that what one desires can and should harmonize with the desires of others, leading to a collective fulfillment of divine intention.