Basic-Information-Before-Leaving-Earth
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I was sitting down looking at a blank screen, trying to write this reflection when suddenly I found myself surfing the internet. I came across the following (edited for the sake of brevity):
“A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly, “I know what the Bible means!”
“Okay,” said his father. “What does the Bible mean?”
“That’s easy, Daddy…” the young boy replied excitedly,” It stands for ‘Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.’” [i]
Our passage this week (Matthew 7:1-12) is definitely basic information for every Christian. The topics covered have been the subject of vast amounts of sermons, Sunday school lessons, books, devotionals, posters and bumper stickers and yet, familiarity can breed contempt. We can take the familiar for granted, we know the concepts, we may even be able to quote the verses, but at times our words and actions don’t align with these familiar teachings.
It’s been my experience that even seasoned Christians have trouble with their words and actions when it comes to the topic of judging (verses 1-5):
One summer, a young mother was helping prep one of her children’s classrooms. She was assigned to a room with a woman employed by the Christian school. When they were done for the day the young mother turned to the school employee and said, “Good luck with the school year.” Hastily with a haughty look on her face the worker replied, “There’s no such thing as luck. We don’t believe in luck!” Red-faced with embarrassment and near tears, the lady left without uttering a word.
It’s easy to get this judging thing wrong. The world often labels Christians as hypocritical, judgmental, and unaccepting, and those inside the church often label other Christians as too accepting of worldly behavior. Who, how, when are we to judge? I think Jesus addresses the who when he refers to “your brother’s eye”. He doesn’t refer to a spec in a stranger’s eye, he doesn’t say some person with whom you have no relationship. A brother is a fellow believer, a person whom you've been commanded to love.
The how and when is also addressed in our passage when Jesus says, “first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Self-examination should be a life-long practice for all Christians. One of my favorite bible verses is Psalms 139:23 which says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” The chances of judging inappropriately are greatly reduced when we are continually asking Jesus to show us where our heart has hardened or where sin may have crept in.
I pray the next time you’re tempted to judge someone’s speech, or judge a life by the worst moments, or judge others before considering yourself in the same circumstances you will stop and reflect upon these verses in Matthew.
Brenda Wooff