Matthew 7: 1-6

Judging Others

1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

6 "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

What type of person are you? Do you think that all people should do things the way you do or do you enjoy diversity? Toronto is such a diverse city culturally, religiously, economically. It is, at times, difficult to find people who are like minded. And yet because of its diversity it is a wonderful expression of the world - of God's creative genius.

The passage today speaks of not judging. "Do not judge." It's very straightforward yet I managed to miss the precise meaning until this week as I was meditating on these 6 verses as a whole.

"Do not judge" I took the command quite literally to mean don't judge at all - ever - be always accepting - always loving no matter what. Coupled with this thought was the warning in the next few verses that God would judge me with the same measure I used ... and the picture of the person with the plank in their eye trying to take the speck out of someone else's. I've always thought ... maybe I have a plank ... when tempted to judge someone.

The last verse of the six has always puzzled me. I didn't get where it fit in; if it did at all. What was this about dogs and pigs? It conjured up pictures of the prodigal son in the pig pen eating the pig's food.

But as I read it over earlier this week - the six verses in a row and just sat there and thought about it - it seemed to come together. It seemed that Jesus was meaning, 'Don't be critical - hyper sensitive to others differences, don't be mean spirited about it just trying to point out others faults, don't forget that you are not perfect too HOWEVER, don't be naive in thinking all people are being straight with you, don't share your precious things (the gospel - the most precious 'thing' we have to give) with those who aren't interested - or are just feigning interest to win you over.'

The word that jumped out at me regarding the verses about the dogs and pigs was "discerning". Be discerning - not judgemental - but wise.

Life in God's kingdom does mean we live in His abundant love and we show others this love ... but it seems here Jesus is saying life in God's kingdom includes thinking, being aware, and not being taken advantage of.

Discernment.

It made me think ...

Yes - still love others into the Kingdom, still be forgiving, look for the good in others, but be discerning. Hmmmm.