Judge Like Jesus

Luke 6:37-42

Opening

I am grateful for my education. I am grateful for how it developed my mind to think and function. I have noticed, however, that education can lead to two very different and often coexistent mindsets. One mindset is that being educated means I know things others do not. This can lead to a superiority complex that is sinful and prideful. The other mindset is that being educated means the more I know the more I recognize that I do not know. This mindset is both humbling and helpful.

Here's an example. As a child you learn that two plus two equals 4. That’s it. There’s no debate. That’s all you need to know. But what if you have a little more that two, say 2 ¼ plus 2 1/3? At what point does this start to matter and to what degree? What if I am boring out the cylinders in an engine? Is knowing 2+2=4 enough?

Here’s another example. If you are playing pool and you have a straight shot to make the 8 ball in the corner pocket but there’s a lot of green between the one ball and the pocket. Physics tells us, If you hit it straight, it should go in. Simple, right? But what if the room is rocking ever so slightly as it was one day when I was playing pool on drilling rig offshore. Most of us just take the shot and hope for the best. But what if you could know precisely how much the rocking rig would affect the shot? Then you could factor that in.

There’s always more to know. But we function like we know everything. When we think about how we treat others and how we deal with their perceived shortcomings, we may not know as much as we think we do. We need a trustworthy guide. We need clear vision. We need to not rely on what we think we know.

Often we are tempted to rely on our gut reaction rather than. On spiritual discernment.

Context

Jesus is in the middle of His first major teaching session. He is painting a counter-cultural picture of life as a part of His kingdom, as His follower, as a member of His family. His 12 disciples have just been named and they are gathered around Him. Many others are gathered round them. 

This is like the your first day in the army or in college or taking a new job or the first day of football practice. The coach has gathered the team around him. He is ready to emphatically set the tone. His speech will set the tone for the entire season. He shares how this team will be different than any other team they have ever been on.

Jesus’ teaching is opposite what they expect. He tells them they are blessed when they are spiritually needy because Jesus stands ready to fill that need. He tells them they are in trouble when they are filled with the things of the world, when they are comfortably separated from God. Jimmy preached on this 2 weeks ago. 

Last week we covered Jesus’ teaching on loving our enemies. Jesus loved those who even crucified Him. He prayed for those who were crucifying Him. Jesus taught a love that could not exist if it have been received from Him.

In this passage, Luke 6:37-42, Jesus deals with the judgmental attitude of many of His people. The children of Israel had the idea ingrained in them that they were God’s special people and that everyone else was not nearly as good as them. Look at Abraham’s call in Genesis 12. 

Genesis 12:1–3 (ESV) 

1Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 

2And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 

3I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

They fully embraced God’s promise to make them a great nation and bless them. But they struggled to even notice that their purpose was to be a blessing from God to the nations.  In general, they believed they had a special deal with God and that those of the other nations or those who did not keep the law should be condemned without hope of redemption.

In short, even under the rule of Romans, the children of Israel typically had a judgmental attitude toward Gentiles, non-Jews, and towards their own people who failed to keep the law. The Pharisees were the prime example of this. They were the best law keepers and judged pretty much everyone else.

Today’s title is “Judge Like Jesus”. 

Exegesis

Luke 6:37–38 (ESV) 

37“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 

38give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

In the original language of Greek, the word “judge” means to form a critical opinion of something or to judge as guilty. The idea is not that Jesus’ followers should ignore or be unaware of the sin of others and act like they don’t exist. Rather, Jesus’ disciples should not condemn and hold down those who sin. R. H. Stein says it this way.

“…It forbids a Christian from finding “status by negation,” i.e., looking better by criticizing others as worse.”

R. H. Stein, 

Luke

New American Commentary

Jesus continues to describe what He means by urging them not to condemn. This is an intensified synonym of His statement not to judge. In both of these statements, Jesus is telling them to stop doing something they are already doing. 

The result of not judging and condemning is that they will not be judged or condemned themselves. This does not mean they will earn innocence. Rather, they will not be adding to their guilt. Jesus is declaring being judgmental and condemning is sinful. He is saying the arrogant and superior attitude of God’s people is wrong.

Jesus doesn’t stop there. He moves to the positive side of the attitude His followers should have. Forgiveness is the opposite of judgmentalism. The goal of Jesus disciples will be to help others find forgiveness rather than to keep them from it. Again, here there is a positive result for the disciple. They, themselves, will be forgiven. 

This reminds us of the model prayer when Jesus instructs us to forgive others as we have been forgiven. After the model prayer, Jesus goes on to say that if you do not forgive others we will not be forgiven. The idea in Matthew is the same as it is in Luke. Those who fail to forgive commit a sin they typically do not repent of. They fail to forgive and that is sin.

The fourth imperative is to give. Generosity is an unexpected command when we think of how we are to treat those who sin. But it cuts to the heart of how we treat others. At times, it’s like we have a limited supply of forgiveness. It’s as though we are giving something that belongs to us and we are afraid we are diminished every time we forgive rather than condemn. This can only be true if our life and sense of self-worth is built on holding others down. 

Jesus urges His followers to give generously without fear of running out of forgiveness and good will. The result is promised to be an overflow coming back to them of what they gave out. The picture Jesus paints is of one who purchases grain. It is measured out in such a way that there are no void spaces and then even more is heaped on top to make sure the buyer receives more than he paid for. It’s like getting fries at 5 Guys.

To drive home His point, Jesus tells a three part parable.

Luke 6:39–40 (ESV) 

39He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 

40A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.

Judgmental, condemning attitudes are indications of blindness to our own sin. Judgmental people cannot see their own sin of arrogance can being unloving and unmerciful. Jesus is saying to be careful who you teach and who you learn from. When someone loves to hold others down and hinder them from receiving forgiveness, they are blind and causing others to be blind as well.

Jesus continues His warning.

Luke 6:41–42 (ESV) 

41Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 

42How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.

Jesus’ hyperbole here would be humorous if it weren’t so true. We do more harm than good when we try and help others deal with their sin when our sin is far worse. Jesus is saying that arrogant, condemning judgmentalism is a worse sin than most. His life and death will prove the value He places on mercy and grace. He, above all, has the right to judge and condemn. But Jesus, instead, will choose to give everything He has, His very life and reputation, for the sake of sinners. 

Applications

We need to judge like Jesus. His judgment is that everyone needs forgiveness. He died to deliver it. Jesus judges with clear vision. He is not blind. He is the ideal teacher. He has no log in His eye. It is from the place of perfection that He judges. He sees that everyone needs forgiveness. 

In the days of Jesus, the Jews would have thought that all non-Jews, the Gentiles, did not deserve forgiveness. The Jews believed they were the only ones who deserved God’s mercy. They were His special people. They believed they had a special deal with God.

As people who are a part of a church, we can be that way as well. We have received forgiveness. Yet, we tend to condemn those who have not received forgiveness. Our judgmental attitude is a log in our eye that prevents us from helping others remove the speck in their eye. You can help no one if you cannot see them as Jesus sees them.

Remove the log of a judgmental and condemning attitude from your eye. Repent. Then you will be able to help others receive forgiveness. 

If it was up to you, would you forgive your enemies? Would you let them access mercy and grace? 

Who have you judged? 

Who has no right to forgiveness?

Who has hurt you deeply?

Who has made you feel less of a person?

Who disrespects you?

Does it make you feel good to make others look bad?

Are you a hoarder of God’s grace?

Are you afraid to forgive too much?

Do you live like you have a special deal with God that others don’t deserve?

Jesus is telling His followers that this team they have just joined will be built to dispense forgiveness. Victory will not be measured by how many people are condemned but by how many people receive forgiveness. Their role will be to judge like Jesus, to with His vision help others receive His forgiveness.

When you encounter the sins of others. First consider your own heart. Is there a judgmental condemning attitude that is blocking your view? This is your opportunity to deal with it. It would be better for you and the person involved for you not to get involved if your vision is obscured by a log. Eye surgery is catastrophic if the surgeon cannot see. Second, deal with your own sin. Seeing the sins of others is a great opportunity to let God heal you of your own sin. Third, help your brother or sister receive forgiveness.

Steps to help others with their sin.

1.    Check your spiritual vision for a judgmental condemning attitude

2.    Remove the logs

3.    Help you brother or sister receive forgiveness

Close

It is up to you. 

Are you in the way or are you helping others access Jesus?

Does your life seem unstable, vulnerable, even temporary? Your poor spiritual vision and judgmental attitude is causing you to miss building your life on the rock of Jesus Christ. Instead, you are building your life on sand.

Because Jesus has forgiven you judge like Jesus.

Remove the log of a judgmental and condemning attitude from your eye. 

Repent.

Help others receive forgiveness.