Kara Hackert 0:08
Welcome to Elmhurst CRC's daily dose of the Word of God. It's Tuesday, July 9, and we're in the season of green and growing things, our spiritual lives included. This summer we're sitting at Jesus's feet and listening to his parables, stories that shed meaning on our lives. This morning, we're reading Luke 6, verses 37 through 42 - judging others. I'm going to first read them to you in the familiar words from the NIV.
Kara Hackert 0:40
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher. “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? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Kara Hackert 1:41
I want to also read this passage from the Message. This version is very descriptive and dynamic. Please listen.
Kara Hackert 1:51
"Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.” He quoted a proverb: “‘Can a blind man guide a blind man?’ Wouldn’t they both end up in the ditch? An apprentice doesn’t lecture the master. The point is to be careful who you follow as your teacher. “It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this I-know-better-than-you mentality again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your own part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.
Kara Hackert 3:09
Wow. What a lesson. We can be so quick to judge others - to condemn them, criticize, sneer - to think we are better. Instead, let's look at the words that show how God wants us to treat others. Forgiveness, giving, generosity, blessing, treating others the way we want to be treated with love, compassion, kindness and grace.
Kara Hackert 3:44
Let's pray together. Dear Father, fill our hearts with love, kindness and mercy. Let it overflow and let us shower others with it. Please help us not to judge others but instead help us to be a blessing to others. Let us show your love to those around us. Amen.
