Note: This series is written as a first-person narrative in order to present Jesus in the context he walked with the unknown disciple that narrates presenting my thoughts and sparking more thoughts with his questions.
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” Rang out over the crowd. Jesus continued, “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
How I judge others is how I’ll be judged? This kind of ties into the issue of forgiveness. If I’m condemning someone, I’m most definitely not forgiving them. And Jesus did say, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Jesus raised his hand to his eye, saying, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye…” He gestures for Peter’s staff and holds it up to his other eye, “and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”
The crowd laughed.
“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? 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.”
The laughter died down. That was pretty clear, I cannot condemn another until I realize the depth of my own sin. To confront them, I have to confront myself in that area. Self-righteousness doesn’t have a place in it.
Jesus said, “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 turn and tear you to pieces.”
What? This part isn’t judgment in the form of condemnation, but judging the right course to take. Dogs are unclean scavengers, so don’t give them what’s sacred? Pigs we have nothing to do with, they eat slop and roll in the mud. They wouldn’t appreciate anything that is valuable.
Was that it?
Like the proverb says, “do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words.” So you have to wisely choose who to share the kingdom with?
Matthew 7:1-6
Matthew 6:14-15
Proverbs 23:9
A Ronin's Journey 