Gamaliel and the Golden Rule

Gamaliel and the Golden Rule

My thought for today . . .

In the early days of the church the followers of Jesus, for witnessing to the Gospel, were threatened with persecution, and even death as martyrs.

When asked if such persecutions were a Godly way of treating those disciples, a saintly Pharisee named Gamaliel had some strong guidance to offer to his contemporaries.  He was a leader of the 1st century Sanhedrin in Jerusalem, and teacher of Jewish law.  Although Gamaliel approved a relatively mild public admonishment of those disciples, his overall response was very cautious and rather “open-minded” for a religious leader in that time and place.  

In Acts of the Apostles Gamaliel is recorded to have said the following: “I tell you, do nothing to persecute or harm those who preach the Gospel of Jesus; leave them alone!  If their endeavors or activities are of human origin, they will destroy themselves.  But if these things are of God, we will not be able to bring harm to them; we may even find ourselves fighting against the will of God” (Cf., Acts 5:38-39).  

In our own time, as we deal with complicated and often difficult questions, value systems, politics, faith perspectives, and alternative ways of life chosen by those who are “different from us,” perhaps we ought to consider following Gamaliel’s advice (albeit with the proverbial “shoe on the other foot”).

The ancient admonition known as the “golden rule,” comes to my mind: “treat others as you would like others to treat you.”

The bottom line: BE KIND! 🥰

Praise God! 🙏

Pulled-Over by a Maryland State Trooper on I-95

Pulled-Over by a Maryland State Trooper on I-95

Today, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, I drove home to Maryland from my sister Kelly’s house in Sullivan, Maine.  It took me almost twelve hours (including a couple of short stops along the way). 

Just as I crossed over the Maryland state line, and after traveling for most of those hours, I was so very happy to be close to home!  And so, as I continued to drive south on I-95, I called Kelly and her husband Toby to let them know I was almost home (using my hands-free blue tooth, of course!). 

Perhaps because at that point my blissful adrenaline had kicked in just a bit, I quite frankly moved speedily along (more or less), and just as fast as the rest of the traffic around me.  

Then . . . I suddenly noticed the dreaded lights of a police car tailing close behind me!!  I told Kelly and Toby I was being pulled over and better hang-up.  “I’ll call you after this is over,” I said, as I pulled my car onto the highway shoulder.  

Soon after I stopped (disappointed the cop had not passed me for someone else), a very polite Maryland State Trooper approached my car and asked me if I knew why I was being pulled over.  I sheepishly responded that I had “no idea.”  

He told me that (1) I was speeding, that (2) one of my headlights was out, and that (3) my license plate annual sticker tags were “expired.”  

I then very politely, and with a bit of a chuckle in my voice, responded to him:  “My gosh, I’ve really hit the jackpot tonight, no?”

In response to my comment, the officer smiled broadly, and he literally laughed out loud! 

I gave him my driver’s license and the car registration card and he returned to his squad car, returning to me just a few moments later. 

“I’m giving you a warning for the speeding and the tag sticker, and a work order for the burned-out headlight.  There’s no fine for anything this time . . . but please drive safely,” he said very cheerfully. 

“Thank you sir, and also thank you for your service,” I joyfully responded!  

I then safely pulled back into traffic, continued on my way home, and in my thoughts thanked God for sparing me from the legal consequences the traffic stop really did merit!  

Perhaps it was the trooper’s sense of humor that spared me?  I guess I’ll never know, but I truly am grateful for all police officers’ self-sacrifices, their service to society, and their willingness put their lives on the line for the safety and good of others.  I hope I would have thanked this particular cop for his service, even if I had driven away from that encounter with the otherwise warranted fines! 

To all the men and women in blue, I’ll say it again: 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!! 

And I'm also happy to report that my wallet isn't lighter today than it was yesterday!

Praise God!  🙏