The Parables of Jesus: Matthew 7: 1-5
Matthew 7:1-5
1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For 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? 4How 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? 5You 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. (NIV)
When I used to babysit my cousins, fights would often break out. In most cases, both of the brothers had similar stories. They were the innocent victim and the other was the guilty instigator who should carry all of the blame, and punishment, for the fight. We often find justification in our own actions, but see other’s explanations as a “lame excuse”. We often say things like, “I only did it once” or “what I did was not half as bad as what they did”, or “I had no other choice” when we have faults. When it is someone else’s struggle, we view similar sins as inexcusable.
In this scripture, Jesus reminds us that we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. It is God’s laws that we are violating, as such, only God has the right to judge our actions in light of these laws. Only someone perfect can judge the intent and the heart of someone. We, with the planks in our eye, do not fit the description of perfect.
It should be understood that God does not want us to ignore or accept other’s sins. He wants us to correct in love, but not judge or punish. 2 Timothy 4-1:2 says “1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” (NIV)
John Gesick
